The Real Affects of Change

Abstract

Twelve sculptured faces articulate the impacts on locals when they experienced the merging of tertiary educational institutions of which they were staff members. The surreal images depicted in the photographs reveal the emotional, or "affective" responses, to the changes that were imposed on members of organisations, and the narratives that they constructed to make sense of the mergers. Central government initiatives based on a "bigger is better" mantra drove the need to offer relevant and cost-effective courses. However, little attention was paid to the needs of local staff who were mandated to enact the structural changes. The sculptures tell their stories.