Connecting with people

As part of Professional Services Together we encourage colleagues to build their professional networks and work collaboratively to further strengthen our Professional Services communities.

This area provides information about existing communities of practice, active professional networks (internal and external), forums and conferences for Professional Services staff. 

Can’t see the Professional Services network or community you are looking for? Get in touch to add details of an additional community or make a suggestion to set up a new one via pod@admin.ox.ac.uk.

Expand All

AUA

External Network

The Association of University Administrators is the professional body for higher education administrators and managers in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. The AUA aims to connect and develop HE professionals.

aua.ac.uk/

Business/Institute Managers (BIM) Network:

Internal Network

Bringing together the Business and Institute Mangers from across the University, the BIM Network seeks to develop the exchange of ideas and culture between those in similar roles. We are looking to involve a broad array of managers and are enthusiastic to meet and discuss our different ways of working, experiences in the university and organisational cultures.

If you are interested in being involved or have any queries, please direct these to iris.hofmann@idrm.ox.ac.uk. We look forward to hearing from you! 

Professional Services annual conference

Internal Network

The Professional Services Conference (formerly the UAS Conference) provides an opportunity for colleagues in professional and administrative roles to get together and engage with issues impacting the University.

Visit the Staff Gateway, Professional Services Conferences page for further information.

Career support network    

Internal Network 

Confidential and impartial career advice for administrative and support staff.

Further information is available on the People and Organisation Development website.

Continuous Improvement CoP

Internal Network

The Continuous Improvement CoP provides a forum in which staff can learn from each other, share CI successes and inspiration and seek and offer support. Whether you’re a complete CI novice or someone bringing experience, you can join our growing network of like-minded colleagues seeking to make positive changes in our daily working lives. You can access the CoP via the Focus LaunchPad where you can also download a joining pack that provides more information about what the CI CoP  can offer.

EDU supported networks including - BME staff network, Disabled staff network and LGBT staff network    

Internal Network

Information on equality-related staff and student networks, including networks supported by the Equality and Diversity Unit.

The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion network

Internal Network

The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion network is for all staff involved in any aspect of EDI work in the University, including Athena Swan, race equality, and staff development and inclusion more broadly. It is a friendly, informal group which aims to share good practice and provide advice and support to EDI professionals. The group meets four times a year and has a dedicated Teams channel for resource sharing and communication between meetings.

Please contact Charlotte Smith for more information: charlotte.smith@rdm.ox.ac.uk.

The Wellbeing Staff Network

Internal Network

Join the staff network created by the Wellbeing Programme team, a place for all staff with an interest in this area to share wellbeing ideas, resources and best practice across Departments and Divisions. If you want to take it one step further and contribute directly to wellbeing initiatives throughout the University, apply to become a Wellbeing Champion. 

Communications Community

Internal Network

Supporting Oxford’s communications community through collaboration and capacity building. A weekly Digest email shares campaign information, questions from the community, tools and tips, training opportunities, and job vacancies.

Any member of staff with communications as part of their role can subscribe. To do so, please send an email to communications-officers@maillist.ox.ac.uk asking to be signed up.

To send messages to the list, send an email to communications-officers@maillist.ox.ac.uk – eligible items will be included in the next Digest email.

CIPR    

External Network

Royal Chartered body for public relations professionals. Committed to professional standards and lifelong learning, supporting the careers of our members and building public understanding of PR.

Further information is available on the CIPR website.

CIM

External Network

The Chartered Institute of Marketing is a professional marketing body.

More information is available on the CIM website.

The Change Community Forum

Internal Network

The Change Community Forum is a network for anyone with an interest in introducing and managing change.  Membership is broad and currently includes people working in business change and communications, Focus continuous improvement activity, departmental change projects, business analysis and project management.  We meet every 2 months and are keen to broaden our engagement.   We hold project showcases, hear from guest speakers, and work to share best practice.  We like to hear how challenges have been overcome and successes achieved so we can learn and improve approaches for future change initiatives.  Someone somewhere is always working through similar issues!  A great place to go with questions, and to talk through challenges in an inspiring, supportive, and confidential forum.

Join our growing group for an opportunity to collaborate and network and contribute towards improving approaches to change across the University. 

Advancing Oxford

Internal Network

The forum for development, alumni relations and communications staff across the University of Oxford. Advancing Oxford brings together over 500 staff working across more than 80 different departments, colleges, alumni societies and the overseas offices to engage, to network and to learn – whilst simultaneously showcasing the immense impact of philanthropy across the collegiate University

www.advancingoxford.ox.ac.uk/

CASE

External Network

The Council for Advancement and Support of Education is the global non-profit association dedicated to educational advancement—alumni relations, communications, development, marketing, and advancement services—who share the goal of championing education to transform lives and society.

www.case.org/

The University EA PA network group

Internal Network

The University EA PA network group is a growing network of University EAs and PAs. We share best practise on all professional services which we provide. We are friendly and enthusiastic and we warmly welcome other PAs and EAs to join our network. We also sometimes meet for lunch or dinner. 

Please email lucy.curtin@phc.ox.ac.uk to find out more. 

Professional Trainee Network Community    

Internal Network

We have developed a ‘Finance Professional Trainee Community’ to bring together finance colleagues from across the University who are studying, or wishing to study, a professional qualification, whether in accountancy or another discipline.

Email finance.hbs@admin.ox.ac.uk for more information.

Finance staff forum    

Internal Network 

The Staff Forum is a voluntary group of staff members from across the Finance Division
The Staff Forum's purpose is to represent the views of staff working in the divisions, to make decisions in respect of our working environment and allocate the dedicated budget accordingly.

Information on the staff form can be found on the finance website.

ACCA   

External     

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants is the global professional accounting body offering the Chartered Certified Accountant qualification.

More information is available on the Association of Chartered Certified Accounts website.

CIMA    

External Network

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants is a UK based professional body offering training and qualification in management accountancy and related subjects. It is focused on accountants working in the industry and provides ongoing support and training for members.

Further information can be found on the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants website.

AAT   

External Network   

The Association of Accounting Technicians is the world’s leading professional body for Accounting Technicians, with over 150,000 members worldwide. There are 4,250 licensed AAT accountants providing accountancy, tax and business advisory services to more than 400,000 British businesses.

Further information can be found on the Association of Accounting Technicians website.

BUFDG    

External Network 

British Universities Finance Directors Group

Finance Community for learning and support

Internal Network

All colleagues across the University working in financial administration (including relevant research administration) are invited to join the Finance Community. The aim of the Finance Community is to create opportunities to come together, meet other people doing similar jobs, learn, support each other, and share good practice. We particularly hope to provide opportunities for finance officers or assistants to get involved. 

Please visit Finance Community | Finance Division (ox.ac.uk) or contact financial.assurance@admin.ox.ac.uk to find out more

 

 

IOSH

External Network

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health is a global organisation for health and safety professionals.

Further information is available on the IOSH website.

Academic divisional HR networks

Internal Network

Normally termly network meetings for HR staff from Departments, Divisions and University HR within a Division.
Networks aim to provide updates on developments in HR, revisions to policy/practice, best practice sharing and the opportunity for networking.
 

Contact your divisional office or HR Business Partner

HR annual conference

Internal Network

To bring together HR professionals from across the University in order to:
Provide;  professional development, build a deeper understanding of University-wide HR issues, support the career and personal development of participants, build effective networks across the University, further improve the effectiveness of the HR function

Contact your departmental HR manager, HR Business Partner or the HR Support general enquiry email address:hr-support@admin.ox.ac.uk
 

CIPD (national and local branches)

External Network

The professional body for HR and people development. Aims to champion better work and working lives, influence policy makers and provide an internationally recognized gold standard for HR and People Development 
Membership offers; Career hub and qualification levels, HR knowledge hub and research, Employment law support, People management publication, News and updates, Local networks and events, National events.
 

Website: CIPD main website and CIPD Thames Valley

Universities Human Resources (UHR)

External Network

Leading HR in Higher Education. Provides development networking and communication to support Human Resources and Professionals in Higher Education Members can access CPD, UHR discussion boards, regional networks, a career framework with events, training, mentoring and an annual conference. 

Website: www.uhr.ac.uk/

 

Universities and Colleges Employment Association (UCEA)

External Network

Aims to develop excellence in HR management, enhance knowledge in the sector and represent the collective interests of members. Oxford is a member at the organizational level. 

Website: www.ucea.ac.uk/

 

ICTF    

Internal Network

ICTF is a body that represents all whose job function includes management, delivery or support of ICT throughout the Collegiate University. It provides a framework that promotes and facilitates excellence incorporating the full involvement of ICT Staff in both the strategic development and day-to-day running of ICT in the Collegiate University.    

Further information can be found on the ICTF website.

ICTF conference    

Internal Network

The ICTF Conference is the University’s all-day conference for everyone at Oxford who works in ICT.

More information can be found on the ICTF website.

ITS3

Internal Network

ITS3 serves as a two-way channel for communication between IT Services and the approximately 650 IT Support Staff (ITSS) in the Colleges and departments of the collegiate University.    

Further information can be found on the IT services website.

British Computer Society 

External Network

The British Computer Society is a professional body and a learned society that represents those working in information technology and computer science.

More information can be found on the British Computer Society website.

RISN

Internal Network

The Research & Innovation Support Network (RISN) is a community of colleagues involved in the support and management of research and innovation. It is a means to share best practice, encourage interdisciplinary activity, and identify opportunities for engagement.

Website: RISN Internal Network

ARMA

External Network

ARMA (UK) is a professional association for research management in the UK. ARMA represent research leaders, managers and administrators, offering professional development and opportunities to build networks, knowledge and skills.

Website: ARMA External Network

PraxisAuril

External Network

PraxisAuril is an educational not-for-profit organisation set up to support innovation and commercialisation of public sector and charity research for social and economic impact. PraxisAuril encourages innovation and acts as a voice for the research commercialisation profession, facilitating the interaction between the public sector research base, business and government. PraxisAuril provides a forum for best practice exchange, underpinned by a comprehensive training and development programmes.

Website PraxisAuril Network

Project Administrators’ Network

Internal Network

The Project Administrators’ Network provides networking opportunities for research administration staff in the Humanities Division and Social Sciences Division.

Email pan@admin.ox.ac.uk for more information.

 

Internal and External Network    

The Technician Commitment is a sector-wide initiative led by the Science Council, in partnership with the Gatsby Foundation, and currently has over 60 signatories. Information on activities at national level can be found on the Technicians make it happen campaign website.

The commitment has five strands: Visibility, Recognition, Career Development, Sustainability and Evaluating Impact.

Further information can be found on the HR support and Technicians.org.uk websites.

Looking for tips on how to build on your professional networks? Take a look at the resources below: