Communities at Work Sprint

What you will study

The sprint combines asynchronous learning with live interactive sessions. Online modules include video content featuring community science experts and industry practitioners, additional readings, a practical workbook and cohort discussions. Each module builds toward a final project where you’ll measure the vitality of and make recommendations for building community in your own workplace.

Modules

Assessment

The final project requires you to audit your own workplace community and make recommendations for building community using the models and concepts developed across the sprint. The focus on a real-world organisation ensures you can immediately apply your learning. Projects should demonstrate a clear understanding of community principles while providing actionable solutions tailored to your specific context.

Assumed knowledge

Understanding of business or organisational processes and leadership. Experience managing teams or leading initiatives.

How you will learn

Each module will include around 30-40 minutes of essential video content and then extra content (such as readings, podcasts, additional videos) if you wish to extend yourself. Workbook activities are comprised of reflective questions that will help you consolidate your learning from the videos and apply this learning to organisations you are familiar with. They should require no more than an hour’s thinking. Workbooks are not assessed; they’re designed to give you chunky questions to think about.

Live sessions will run for around 90 minutes, with additional networking and question time afterwards if you choose to stick around.

Additional activities, such as reading, conversations and bonus content, will allow you to dive deeper into the topic. You’ll have access to the modules after the sprint is complete, so you can always return to the extension activities later.

What you will learn

• Build a strategic understanding of community design principles for varied work environments.
• Apply the four foundational elements of community: membership, influence, needs fulfilment and shared emotional connection.
• Use the formula for team vitality: purpose, structure, boundaries, catalysers and measures.
• Distinguish between strategic, activity and vitality metrics for workplace communities.
• Select tools that enable gathering, collaboration, sense-making and co-creation.
• Complete an applied project aligned with your own organisational context
• Receive a University of Sydney digital badge, your credential recognising your capability in productive workplace communities.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Articulate principles of community design in the workplace.
• Understand and select key frameworks for building communities.
• Identify ways to measure the vitality of a workplace community.

Meet your sprint leaders

• Dr Fiona Martin (Honorary Associate Professor - The University of Sydney)
• Venessa Paech (Director - Australian Community Managers)