Weaving kindness into our strategic vision

At UNSW, kindness comes to life through small, intentional acts and plays an essential role in achieving progress for all.

The Kindness Network is a community of more than 70 people across different areas of the University, running workshops, writing blogs and meeting regularly to reflect upon and ideate new ways kindness can show up at UNSW. It’s one example of how UNSW staff are embedding kindness into the strategy. 

Dr Gabi Nudelman, Senior Lecturer at UNSW Business School, is co-founder of the staff-led initiative the Kindness Network. She said the network believes: “Kindness isn’t an add-on to the University’s work, but is embedded in how we teach, lead, collaborate and contribute to society. It’s an institutional capability, embodying shared values and operational principles, which shape how we as a community define success.”  

Below they have mapped out the ways the network’s goals align with each of the nine strategic pillars of the UNSW Strategy: Progress for All and other ways kindness shows up in everyday life at UNSW. 

Impact Pathways: How we work to make a difference 

1. Accessible education  

Kindness supports inclusive and empowering education. The Pedagogy of Kindness is a simple yet radical approach to transforming teaching and learning in higher education. It encourages environments where students feel safe to participate, challenge ideas and grow, and where staff can collaborate to foster interdisciplinary and tailored learning. 

2. Innovative research 

Kindness enables research by fostering trust, inclusion and psychological safety. It fosters environments where people feel secure enough to be innovative and to grow. This foundation in our workspace encourages the risk-taking and interdisciplinary collaboration needed for impactful research.  

3. Engaged networks 

The Kindness Network brings together staff across faculties, roles and disciplines, creating space for shared reflection and collaboration, enabling trust-based engagement. 

4. Values-based culture 

Kindness contributes to a culture where people feel supported and respected yet also challenged to act with integrity. It creates a safe space for employees to advocate for themselves and others where needed and for ideas to flourish.  

5. Effective systems and environments 

Structural kindness shows up in how we design systems, communicate decisions and implement policy. 

Impact Focus Areas: Where we aim to create change  

6. Sustainability 

Kindness and sustainability are both rooted in care for people, communities and the planet. With Indigenous Knowledges highlighted, the land, sea, air and animals are central. In our teaching and advocacy, we encourage the UNSW community to think about how their actions affect others and how we build more just and sustainable futures.  

7. Prosperity 

Kindness contributes to social and economic prosperity by improving the conditions where people (both internal and external to UNSW) can thrive. It supports wellbeing and encourages connection, which underpins innovation, collaboration and growth. 

8. Healthy lives 

By embedding structural kindness into the core of University life, we can reduce stress, mitigate burnout and create environments that support mental wellbeing.  

9. Social resilience and cohesion 

In times of disruption and uncertainty, kindness strengthens social fabric. It helps us to stay connected, listen generously and navigate differences with care, compassion and curiosity.  

As a university committed to building knowledge by Heart, Hand and Mind, it’s essential we weave kindness into the fabric of our strategic vision and be aware of ways we can support those efforts across all -staff, professional and academic.  

Join the Kindness Network as a first step towards supporting this vision and weaving kindness into everything we do.