Current opportunities to join University Committees and Working Groups as a Researcher Representative
Would you like to have a say about the issues which researchers face?
Do you want to empower researchers by representing their perspective in decision making?
If so, see the following opportunities that are open to all fixed term research and teaching staff.
1. Disability Advisory Group
Background
The Disability Advisory Group are seeking a research staff representative to join the Group as a co-opted member. The Group is responsible for influencing University policy to ensure inclusion of disabled and neurodiverse staff. This is a great opportunity to learn about policy, support, governance structures, and inclusivity of all staff at the University, and to represent research staff perspective on emerging policy. The out-going research staff representative found this to be a very rewarding position, and is happy to provide an induction meeting to the selected researcher. The Group is represented on the Equality and Diversity Panel and on the Joint Committee on EDI.
Its membership includes academics and professional service staff representatives. See the webpage for further information about the group and its membership.
Meeting commitments
The Group meets once per term and papers will be circulated in advance. The selected researcher will also be invited to attend meetings with representatives on other University committees, to facilitate two-way communication with the wider researcher community.
Engagement with researcher community and other researcher reps
The reps on CCHS will also be asked to engage in two-way communication about the non-confidential work of the Committee via a SharePoint site shared with members of the Research Staff Consultation Group.
More information
See Disability Advisory Group | Equality and Diversity Unit (ox.ac.uk)
To apply
Please send an email to [email protected] with why you’d like to join the committee (~100 words) by Friday 4 October 2024. The researcher rep on the Disability Advisory Group will be selected by members of the Research Staff Consultation Group.
2. Consultative Committee for Health and Safety (CCHS)
Background:
CCHS is seeking two researchers to join the Committee. CCHS is the consultative forum on health and safety and their activities relate to:
• People issues relating to safety culture and to work-related stress and wellbeing;
• Research at the University and in relation to travel and fieldwork, including vicarious trauma;
• Staff and student feedback on implementation of health, safety, and environmental policies.
Meeting commitments:
CCHS meets once per term and you’ll also be invited to attend a termly meeting with representatives on other University committees, to facilitate two-way communication with the wider researcher community.
Engagement with researcher community and other researcher reps
The reps on CCHS will also be asked to engage in two-way communication about the non-confidential work of the Committee via a SharePoint site shared with members of the Research Staff Consultation Group.
More information:
See Consultative Committee for Health & Safety | Governance and Planning
To apply:
Please send an email to [email protected] with why you’d like to join the committee (~100 words) by Friday 4 October 2024. The researcher rep on CCHS will be selected by members of the Research Staff Consultation Group.
3. Intellectual Property Advisory Group (IPAG)
Background
IPAG are seeking a research staff representative to join the Group as a co-opted member. IPAG is responsible for advising on the development of University policy on the management, protection, and commercial exploitation of intellectual property. This is great opportunity to learn about intellectual property management at the University, and to represent research staff perspective on emerging policy. Chaired by Professor Patrick Grant, (Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research)), IPAG reports to Research & Innovation Committee. Its membership includes senior academics and representatives from Oxford University Innovation.
Time Commitment
IPAG meets three times per year and papers are circulated in advance. Induction meetings will be offered to the selected researcher representative.
Engagement with researcher community and other researcher reps
The representative on IPAG will also be asked to engage in two-way communication about the non-confidential work of the Group via an MS Team shared with members of the Research Staff Consultation Group.
More information
See the Intellectual Property Advisory Group (IPAG) | Research Support (ox.ac.uk) for further information about IPAG and its membership.
To apply
Please send an email to [email protected] with why you’d like to join this IPAG (~100 words) by Friday 4 October 2024. The researcher rep on IPAG will be selected by members of the Research Staff Consultation Group.
4. The Begbroke Programme Board
Background
The Begbroke Programme Board is seeking two researcher representatives. The Board provides strategic oversight and direction for the development of the Begbroke innovation district encompassing the provision of new homes, research space, commercial accommodation and transport infrastructure. This is an opportunity to give the researcher perspective on the long-term vision for the innovation district, which involves building ~1,800 high-quality new homes, a proportion of which will be available for University staff to rent at affordable rates, as well as ~ 155,000m2 of new research and development space, plus amenities such as schools, nurseries, sports and leisure facilities, shops, cafes and new sustainable transport links. Chaired by Professor Patrick Grant, (Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research)), the Board reports the Strategic Capital Steering Group.
Meeting Commitments
The Begbroke Programme Board will meet once per term for 90 mins with papers circulated prior to each meeting. Induction meetings will be offered to the selected researcher representative.
Engagement with researcher community and other researcher reps
The researcher representatives on the Begbroke Programme Board will also be asked to engage in two-way communication about the non-confidential work of the Board via a MS Team shared with members of the Research Staff Consultation Group.
More information
To find out more about the Begbroke Innovation District see https://estates.admin.ox.ac.uk/begbroke-innovation-district
To apply
Please send an email to [email protected] with why you’d like to join Board (~100 words) by Friday 4 October 2024. The researcher representative on the Begbroke Programme Board will be selected by members of the Research Staff Consultation Group.
5. Information and Digital Committee
Background
The new Information and Digital Committee (IDC) has replaced and has a broader scope than the former IT Committee. IDC is responsible for all matters relating to the University’s digital estate including strategies, services, facilities, and policies, ensuring services meet institutional and user needs. In particular, IDC it will own the overarching digital strategy for the University and will report to Council on implementation. For information see Introducing Oxford’s new Digital Governance and Delivery approach | Staff Gateway. The Terms of Reference can be found at Information and Digital Committee terms of reference.docx (sharepoint.com)
Meeting commitments
The Committee meets twice per term and papers will be circulated in advance.
Engagement with researcher community and other researcher reps
The reps on IDC will also be asked to engage in two-way communication about the non-confidential work of the Committee via a SharePoint site shared with members of the Research Staff Consultation Group. The selected researcher may also be invited to attend meetings with representatives on other University committees, to facilitate two-way communication with the wider researcher community.
More information
See Oxford’s new digital governance framework and operating model - FAQs | Staff Gateway
To apply
Please send an email to [email protected] with why you’d like to join the committee (~100 words) by Friday 4 October 2024. The researcher rep on the Disability Advisory Group will be selected by members of the Research Staff Consultation Group.
6. Public & Community Engagement with Research (PCER) Fund
Background
The PCER Fund supports researchers to do public engagement with research activities. Funds are allocated via internal competition. The Fund is seeking to select 3 – 5 researcher each term to join the panel that reviews applications. Each panel will consist of 8-12 staff from diverse disciplines and areas of PCER experience to ensure a diverse range of perspectives and experiences when judging applications.
Panel activities:
- Three review periods per year (you don't need to commit to all three)
- Attend a briefing on MS Teams
- Read up to 7 applications (<2,000 words each)
- Provide feedback using guidelines
- Join remote meetings with other panel members (including our external Public & Community Panel)
Panel membership will change each review period, so you can participate without committing to all periods.
More information
See PCER fund | University of Oxford for more information
Engagement with researcher community and other researcher reps
The reps on the PCER Fund will also be asked to engage in two-way communication about the non-confidential work of PCER via a SharePoint site shared with members of the Research Staff Consultation Group.
To apply
Fill in your details and availability here. A review panel will be convened each term and so PCER Fund is open for applications until 16 April 2025. An early application will increase your chances of obtaining a seat on one of the panels.