Breakout Sessions

Session 1

9:20 - 10:20

Session 2

11:00 - 12:00

Session 3

12:05 - 12:30

Session 4

13:45 - 14:45

Session 5

15:15 - 16:15

W1. The science and psychology of stress: Myths and evidence

The commonest mental health problems usually include stress as one of their symptoms. Within an analysis of psychological disorders presenting to the University’s Occupational Health Service, stress and depression are by far the commonest diagnosis (36% and 40% respectively). In a further analysis, just over half of these were work-related. Stress at work is unpleasant and is quite different from ‘work pressure’ which can drive us to greater things. Too much pressure is counter-productive and can result in physical symptoms and even chronic physiological changes. This workshop will discuss the epidemiology and physiology of stress, the outcome of the famous ‘Whitehall studies’, and some possible solutions.

Presentation: W1. The science and psychology of stress (2,510kb)

W2. Core User Directory: User accounts from start to finish

The Core User Directory (CUD) provides a central reference point, a ‘directory’ which stores information about people who are associated with the University. This workshop will provide an overview of how we manage user accounts from application to card expiry. By the end of the workshop you will have an understanding of the user creation process, and how affiliations and status relate to the different resources to which users are given access.

Presentation: W2. Core User Directory (836kb)

W3. Web stats with Google Analytics

If a thousand people turned up at your desk, you’d notice. If a thousand people called your telephone number, you’d notice. But do you notice when a thousand people visit your website? Is your website getting visitors, where are they coming from, what do they want and what do they get? Using Google Analytics you can answer these questions and enhance your website to attract the right visitors and provide them with the right information.

Presentation: W3. Web stats with Google Analytics (4,046kb)

W4. Obtaining a Tier 4 visa: the student experience

In the exciting run-up to starting at Oxford, international students face the additional challenge of obtaining a visa to get here. You may be involved with advising pre-arrival students or preparing the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) that a student will need to obtain their visa. But getting the CAS is only the start of the process for the student applying for a visa. This workshop looks at what happens next. Each year, together with input from staff in colleges and departments, we provide help and assistance to hundreds of international students and many family members to enable them to obtain or extend visas. You will work in small groups to gain an insight into the application process and UK Border Agency procedures, find your way through the maze of information that students are confronted with, and identify common problem areas.

Presentation: W4. Obtaining a Tier 4 visa (72kb)

W5. Listening Skills

This workshop focuses upon listening, a key aspect of good communication at work. Paying attention to both what is being said and what is communicated but unsaid, and finding effective ways to respond, is a vital part of enabling people to work together effectively. This participative session will introduce some key concepts and skills related to listening.

T1. How to get the most out of Business Intelligence Research Activity and Income Reports

A hands-on training session on how to use the Business Intelligence (BI) Research Activity and Income Reports to answer key questions, such as what interactions has my department had with X company, or what funding have we received from Y organisation? The session will provide an overview of how to use BI and will focus on answering questions raised by participants to illustrate how the reports can be used. Each attendee will be given time to practise using the reports on a PC and to ask questions.

Presentation: T1. Business Intelligence Research Activity and Income Reports presentation (90kb)

Handouts:

T1. User guide (38kb)

T1. Play Pit handout (27kb)

T1. Data Limitations quick guide (60kb)

C1. College tour: Queen’s College
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An exploration of life and work in a college! Led by the Head of House who will give a tour of the college and then talk about his specific role.

P1. Using social media to support online identity at Oxford

The widespread expectation and pressure to present your research and teaching digitally and online has led to a wide ranging interest in online presence and the associated technologies. This presentation will explore the benefits of taking control of your online presence and point to help and resources that will support a successful project.

Presentation: P1. Using social media to support online identity (772kb)

P2. Purchasing: Light-touch tendering

This presentation will demonstrate how departments can easily comply with the requirements to run a tender with the University’s preferred suppliers when making purchases of certain categories of goods or services between £25,000 and £100,000. The session will include an overview of the current toolkits and those in development.

Presentation: P2. Purchasing: Light-touch tendering (238kb)

P3. Oracle R12 project: An update

An update on the latest progress on the Oracle R12 Project. This presentation will include what preparation work is needed to be carried out by departments during the autumn of 2012, including data migration, training and local process changes.

Presentation: P3. Oracle R12 Project update (430kb)

P4. Making DPhil theses (in)visible online: A how-to guide for digital submissions and thesis embargoes.

This presentation will examine the requirements for students to submit a digital copy (and hard copy) of their DPhil theses and explore the processes for embargoing DPhil theses and the renewal of embargoes. It will conclude with a discussion on the implications for not doing so.

Presentation: P4. Making DPhil theses (in)visible online (501kb)

P5. Research Excellence Framework 2014

The RAE is gone, welcome to the REF! The Research Excellence Framework is the new assessment exercise that will rate the quality of university research across the UK.  The results will be used to drive HEFCE QR funding (currently worth £100M pa to Oxford) from 2015/16. Preparations for REF are well underway across the collegiate University.  This presentation will give an overview of the REF, including its purpose, the requirements for submissions, information on the new ‘impact’ expectations, and progress to date on preparing Oxford’s submission.

Presentation: P5. Research Excellence Framework 2014 (331kb)

P6. What does Athena SWAN mean for you and your department?

This presentation is aimed at departmental or divisional staff who want to learn more about the practical steps involved in the University’s commitment to the Athena Swan initiative to address the under-representation of women in academic posts, in science and medicine in particular. It will give a brief overview of the application process and seek participants’ views on what more the University might do to address career development for women.

Presentation: P6. What does Athena SWAN mean for you and your department? (93kb)

P7. Crafting a social media policy

A social media policy can protect both an organisation and its employees, encouraging and guiding positive social media use while ensuring that those using social media tools understand how they may be representing their employer. This presentation will discuss the importance of having a social media policy as well as key topics for inclusion.

Presentation: P7. Crafting a social media policy (248kb)

P8. Purchasing and Legal Services: Supplier contracts

This presentation will cover the legal definitions and caveats included in supplier contracts and what departments should be aware of when signing these.

Presentation: P8. Purchasing and Legal Services: Supplier contracts (103kb)

P9. Student Systems Programme: What eVision will look like

This presentation will outline the current status of the programme, a description of the key areas it will provide new system support for, and the approach up to the go-live time in 2013. This will be followed by a demonstration of both student and staff views of eVision for a variety of key areas including the new Degree Ceremonies processes.

Presentation: P9. Student Systems Programme: what eVision looks like (127kb)

P10. Supporting disabled staff in the workplace

Find out how to support colleagues living with disability and long-term health conditions. ‘Disability’ includes mental health issues, dyslexia, Asperger’s Syndrome, arthritis, and musculoskeletal problems as well as physical and sensory impairment. The presentation covers sources of advice within the University, the employer’s legal duty to make ‘reasonable adjustments’, internal and external funding and gives examples of adjustments.

Presentation: P10. Supporting disabled staff in the workplace (102kb)

P11. Research and innovation funding

Funds allocated within the University to stimulate research, innovation and knowledge exchange: how much is there and how is it used? This presentation explores achievements enabled by the John Fell and Higher Education Innovation Funds.

Presentation: P11. Research and innovation funding within PRAS (93kb)

P12. Apprenticeships at Oxford: Why and how

If you will be recruiting at lower grades or are looking at succession planning for technical and support staff, hiring an apprentice could be an excellent way to meet your needs. Apprenticeships today cover most technical and support roles at the University: administration, finance, IT, facilities maintenance, audio-visual technicians, horticulture and lab, mechanical and electronics technicians. Find out about the University’s Apprenticeship Scheme, which provides advice and support on all aspects, from recruitment and choosing the right further education course, through to ongoing support of mentors and apprentices. 

Presentation: P12. Apprenticeships at Oxford (181kb)

Handout: P12. Apprenticeship Scheme - handout (67kb)