Public Affairs Office

Strategic Communications

The Head of Strategic Communications, Carolyne Culver, is responsible for the following activities among others:

• Oversight of the Public Affairs Directorate's strategy
• Chair of the Access and Admissions Strategic Communications Group
  
• Development of the University's research communications strategy
• Communications advice and support for the University's divisions, departments, faculties and colleges, including the communication officers' network
• Professional training and development including the Public Affairs workshops 
• Communications support for UAS departments including Estates and Equality and Diversity
• Co-chair of the Russell Group Directors of Communication Group
  

Internal Communications

The Head of Internal Communications, Susannah Wintersgill, leads the following activities:

• Developing existing cross-University channels, such as the staff magazine Blueprint and the Staff Gateway
• Introducing new University-wide communication channels, such as the UAS Conference
• Providing advice, planning and activity for internal communications on issues of University-wide importance
• Offering advice to individual divisions and departments about internal communications issues and projects
• Providing templates for internal communications planning and activity (such as surveys and consultations)
• Working closely with internal communications staff based in different parts of the University to ensure the sharing of information, resources and best practice
  

Government and Community Relations

The Head of Government and Community Relations, Margaret Ounsley, leads the following activities:

• Communicating with decision-makers and opinion-formers in Westminster, Whitehall and elsewhere about the work of the University
• Monitoring Parliamentary questions and debates, Select Committees and information from government and other bodies that mention the University, and responding as appropriate
• Producing Oxford in Westminster, a four-page publication sent to all MPs and peers each term
• Coordinating visits to the University by government ministers, parliamentarians and other VIPs
• Providing advice, planning and activity on government and parliamentary-related matters
• Leading a review of the collegiate University's public and community engagement activities with a view to developing a University strategy to support and improve this area of work over the next few years
• Acting as a point of contact for councillors and officers at Oxford City and Oxfordshire County Councils, district councils, and local community groups
• Providing advice, planning and activity for communications with local councils on issues of University-wide importance, such as the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter
• Providing advice, planning and activity on community-related matters