1. Could you briefly introduce yourself and describe your role at the University of Salerno?
My name is Tiziana Bisogno, and since November 2021 I have served as Head of the Academic Staff Recruitment Office at the University of Salerno. My office is responsible for preparing and managing all selection and recruitment procedures for both academic staff and researchers. Our primary role is to ensure that every stage of the administrative process is carried out correctly and in full compliance with the applicable legislation. As Head of the Office, I also act as the officer responsible for the administrative procedures relating to all recruitment processes. I coordinate and oversee every stage of the procedures, ensuring transparency, efficiency and administrative compliance.
2. What were the main motivations that led you to take part in a mobility period at a university within the NEOLAiA Alliance?
My main motivation for taking part in a mobility period at a university within the NEOLAiA Alliance was the opportunity to exchange views with colleagues from the other partner universities on issues related to human resources management in research. I was invited by Professor Scarano to participate in the activities connected with the HR Excellence in Research (HRS4R) strategy during the WP5 meeting held in Tours in November 2024. I considered this experience to be an important opportunity to exchange good practices, share experiences and explore different approaches. The direct dialogue with colleagues from the Alliance’s partner institutions strengthened our collaboration and helped identify potential shared solutions for improving processes and initiatives supporting researchers.
3. What activities did you carry out during your mobility, at which Alliance university, and which aspects of the experience did you find most interesting or useful for your work?
I spent a week on an exchange programme at the University of Tours. A particularly useful part of the experience was the workshop run by Örebro University, which allowed us to compare the different situations at the Alliance’s universities. This exchange highlighted how, whilst sharing common objectives, universities can differ significantly in their organisational models and the procedures they adopt.
Another particularly important part of the programme was the session with two experts from the European Commission who specialise specifically in HR Excellence in Research, as it enabled me to explore the issue in greater depth, and above all reinforced my awareness of the importance of obtaining the Seal of Excellence at the University of Salerno.
The exchange with the University of Cyprus, a private institution, was also very interesting, as it provided an opportunity to observe different approaches to the management of human resources and administrative processes. This experience offered me new food for thought and a greater awareness of the various ways in which universities tackle common challenges.
4. How has this experience contributed to your professional and personal growth? Do you believe it has also had an impact on your daily work at the University of Salerno?
I have always been a strong advocate of open and ongoing dialogue with other universities, because every opportunity for discussion, sharing and exchange with different institutions represents an important chance for growth, both professionally and personally. The mobility programme in Tours has enabled me to engage with different organisations, approaches and working methods, offering new perspectives and useful insights to improve my day-to-day work.
Discussions with colleagues from other universities in the Alliance have been particularly significant, as they have enabled us to highlight and build on what is already working well, whilst identifying potential areas for improvement. The experience has therefore had a tangible impact on my work at the University of Salerno, enriching it with new ideas and a greater awareness of the importance of collaboration and the sharing of best practice at an international level.
5. Would you recommend this experience to your colleagues? If so, why?
Yes, definitely. I would recommend this experience to my colleagues, because it represents a valuable opportunity for exchange and personal development. Coming into contact with different university environments allows you to broaden your horizons and view your own work from new and different perspectives compared to those you might have whilst remaining within your own day-to-day working environment.
Exchanging ideas with colleagues who face similar challenges but adopt different approaches and organisational structures provides valuable inspiration, encourages the sharing of best practice and can help identify new ways to improve one’s own processes and activities.
