Connecting with people
We encourage staff to build their professional networks and work together as one community to further strengthen our Professional Services communities
This area provides information about active professional networks (internal and external), forums and conferences for Professional Services staff.
Can’t see the professional services network you are looking for? Tell us about another network for Professional Services staff or make a suggestion to set up a new network via focusonpeople@admin.ox.ac.uk.
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.
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 practice on all professional services which we provide. During lockdown we have met regularly via MS Teams which has enabled us to support each other while working from home, setting up multiple virtual meetings for our colleagues and sharing IT knowledge. We are friendly and enthusiastic and we warmly welcome other PAs and EAs to join our network. Before COVID19 we meet for networking lunches 3 or 4 times a year and hope to return to such social events when this is possible.
Please email lucy.curtin@phc.ox.ac.uk to find out more.
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.
The Oxford Senior Women’s Mentoring Network (OxSWMN)
Internal Network
The Oxford Senior Women’s Mentoring Network (OxSWMN) is a mentoring scheme intended to encourage senior women to explore their leadership potential within academic life, or within an administrative career, for example as leaders of departments and divisions or in university governance.
More information on the Oxford Senior Women's Mentoring Networking.
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.
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
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.
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:
