Frank Furedi's attack on university staff development is largely empty and misconstructed. Staff development aims to further the goals of an institution, individuals, or both.
Furedi attacks provision that supports institutional goals for not developing individuals. Then he attacks provision aimed at individual development, such as mind mapping, as an Orwellian subterfuge.
Not all university staff, including non-academics, are as personally accomplished as he appears to be. He should base his judgement on the views of staff who volunteer to attend, rather than on a quick look at the websites.
Stephen Bostock
Staff Development and Training Centre
Keele University