Dr Diane Hart

My profile

Biography

Diane has been with the University since 2009 as a Senior Lecturer. Prior to this she was employed by the University of Sheffield for 7 years in a variety of teaching, research and administrative posts whilst undertaking part-time PhD study. This followed her leaving a 10 year  post at Keele University managing the Examinations and Records operations to upgrade her knowledge and skills with an MSc in Internet Computing from the University of Hull.

Other academic service (administration and management)

Departmental Disability Co-ordinator (BSc Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship (2024 - present)

Education Lead for the Department of Operations, Technology, Events and Hospitality Management (2021 -2024)

Programme Leader BSc Business Technology (2017-2020)

External examiner roles

Oxford Brookes University (2018-2022)

Membership of professional associations

Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy/Advance HE

Certified Management and Business Educator, Chartered Association of Business Schools

Teaching

Diane’s subject specialism is Business Information Systems, Information Systems Strategy, Digital Transformation, Research Methods for the BSc Business Technology, BSc Digital and Technology Solutions degree apprenticeship, and MSc Digital and Technology Solutions Specialist degree apprenticeship.

Module Leadership for 24/25

Synoptic Project for the MSc Digital and Technology Solutions Specialist IT Strategy Pathway.

Synoptic Project for the BSc Digital and Technology Solutions Professional IT Consultancy Pathway.

Tutor for 24/25

Final Year Portfolio for the BSc Digital and Technology Solutions Professional

Courses

Supervision

Synoptic Project for the MSc Digital and Technology Solutions Specialist IT Strategy Pathway.

Synoptic Project for the BSc Digital and Technology Solutions Specialist IT Consultancy Pathway.

Business Technology Projects for the BSc Business Technology

Research outputs

Diane completed a PhD at the University of Sheffield in 2010.  Her thesis is titled ‘Systemic Evaluation Methodology for Technology Supported Learning’. Research interests include:

  • Educational evaluation
  • Evaluation of technology supported learning
  • Systems thinking and practice
  • Organisational learning
  • Information systems
  • Business intelligence
  • Chapters in books

    Hart, D. (2018) 'A systemic ‘Theories of Change’ approach for projects and change initiatives in the context of quality enhancement activity in Higher Education.' In Bell, G., Pagano, R., Warwick, J., Sato, C. (ed.) Problem Structuring Approaches for the Management of Projects: demonstrating successful practice. Cham: Springer, pp. 1-34.

  • Reports

    Hart, D. (2010) A Web-Based Interactive Visualisation Modelling Platform to Effect Participative and Collaborative Planning and Design of Future Learning Spaces. Joint Information Services Committee.

  • Journal articles

    Hart, D. (2020) 'Conceptualising the systemic evaluation of dashboards in quality enhancement processes in higher education.' Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 38(6) pp. 817-832.

    Hart, D., Paucar-Caceres, A. (2016) 'A utilisation focussed and viable systems approach for evaluating technology supported learning.' European Journal of Operational Research, 259(2) pp. 626-641.

    Paucar-Caceres, A., Hart, D., Roma i Vergés, J., Sierra-Lozano, D. (2016) 'Applying Soft Systems Methodology to the Practice of Managing Family Businesses in Catalonia.' Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 33(3) pp. 312-323.

    Hart, D., Paucar-Caceres, A. (2014) 'Using Critical Systems Heuristics to Guide Second-Order Critique of Systemic Practice: Exploring the Environmental Impact of Mining Operations in Southern Peru.' Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 31(2) pp. 197-214.

    Hart, D., Diercks-O'Brien, G., Powell, A. (2009) 'Exploring stakeholder engagement in impact evaluation planning in educational development work.' Evaluation, 15(3) pp. 285-306.

    Hart, D., Hughes, J., Lerner, D., Lewis, R., Ward, I., While, A., Wilson, R., Walker, L. (2009) 'An Interdisciplinary Approach to Enhancing Sustainable Development Teaching in the Higher Education Built Environment Curriculum: Learning From a Curriculum Development Project at the University of Sheffield.' Reflecting Education, 5(1) pp. 31-50.

    Hart, D. (2008) 'Exploring Participation in the Evaluation of Change in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education.' The Evaluator, (Autumn)

    Kawalek, J.P., Hart, D. (2007) 'Managing e-learning group processes using teleological enquiring principles.' Journal of Information Technology, 22(2) pp. 133-151.

  • Conference papers

    Karami, H., Tebboune, D.E.S., Hart, D., Nawaz, R. (2023) 'Investigating the Role of Dynamic Capabilities and Organizational Design in Improving Decision-Making Processes in Data-Intensive Environments.' 20/4/2022 - 22/4/2022. Springer, pp. 529-537.

    Hart, D. (2017) 'Data Analytics and Dashboards in Higher Education: Exploring the use of systems thinking in evaluating their role in quality enhancement processes..' In OR59 Annual Conference: The Operational Research Society. Loughborough, 12/9/2017 - 14/9/2017.

    Verges, J.R.I., Sierra, D., Paucar-Caceres, A.L., Hart, D. (2014) 'Systemic Thinking in Management Practice: Using Soft Systems Methodology in Family Businesses in Catalonia.' In 20th Conference of the International Federation of Operational Research Societies (IFORS). Barcelona, 13/7/2014 - 18/7/2014.

    Hart, D., Paucar-Caceres, A.L. (2013) 'Improving the Relevance and Usefulness of Evaluation in Educational Development Processes: A Viable Systems Approach.' In 26th European Conference Operational Research, EURO Conference - Track Stream: Education and OR. Rome, Italy, 1/7/2013 - 4/7/2013.

    Verges, J., Sierra, D., Paucar-Caceres, A.L., Hart, D. (2013) 'Integrating Visions and Negotiating Interests to Improve Organisational Efforts: Use of Soft Systems Methodology in a Family Business in Catalonia, Spain.' In 26th European Conference Operational Research, Euro Conference - Track Stream Soft OR and Problem Structuring Methods. 1/7/2013 - 1/7/2013.

    Paucar-Caceres, A.L., Hart, D., Rodriguez-Ulloa, R. (2012) 'Applying Soft Systems Methodology to Environmental Management: A Boundary Critique Framework.' In 25th European Conference Operational Research EURO Conference Track Stream Soft OR and Problem Structuring Methods. Vilnius, Lithuania, 8/7/2012 - 11/7/2012.

    Paucar-Caceres, A.L., Hart, D., Rodriguez-Ulloa, R. (2012) 'Using Soft Systems Methodology and Systems Dynamics in Environmental Management: Modelling the Pollution Effects of Mining Operations in Southern Peru.' In Systems Dynamics Conference. St Gallen, Switzerland, 1/7/2012 - 1/7/2012.

    Hart, D., Paucar-Caceres, A. (2012) 'Using Systems Heuristics to Guide "Second Order" Boundary Critique in a Systemic Intervention: Evaluating the Environmental Impact of Mining in Southern Peru.' In UK Association for Information Systems. Oxford, UK, 26/3/2012 - 28/3/2012.

    Hughes, J., Hart, D. (2007) 'An Interdisciplinary Approach to Enhancing Sustainable Development Teaching in the Higher Education Built Environment Curriculum.' In Institute of Education. London, UK, 9/9/2007 - 9/9/2007.

    Hart, D. (2007) 'Participative Impact Evaluation - How Can It Help Improve the Student Experience of UK Higher Education?.' In UK Evaluation Society. Leeds, UK, 9/9/2007 - 9/9/2007.

    Hart, D., Diercks-O'Brien, G., Powell, A., Staniforth, D. (2006) 'Developing a Participative Approach to Supporting the Design and Evaluation of New Learning and Teaching Initiatives.' In International Consortium for Educational Development. 1/7/2006 - 1/7/2006.

  • Presentations

    Hart, D. Developing a Theories of Change framework for evaluating digital degree apprenticeships. [Presentation] Newport,

    Hart, D. (2024) Synoptic Project Module- Supervision and Management. [Presentation] Staffordshire University, Stoke on Trent,25/7/2024.

    Hart, D., Partington, S., Tom Dieck, D. (2024) Nurturing Academic Community: Orchestrating Collaboration for Enhanced Staff Engagement and Student Success. [Presentation] Chartered Association of Business Schools Learning Teaching and Student Experience Conference,14/5/2024.

    Edifor, E., Hart, D., Partington, S. (2023) Delivering Degree Apprenticeships Equitably. [Presentation] Chartered Association of Business Schools Learning Teaching and Student Experience Conference,23/5/2023.