Research Staff Representatives on University Committees

Strategic Capital Steering Group (SCSG)

 The SCSG establishes the strategy for investment in the University’s physical estate. It allocates funding to estate projects from the Strategic Capital Fund, usually with a value over £15m. SCSG has merged with the Planning and Housing Strategy Group and so is also responsible for reviewing and recommending proposals from the (joint venture) Oxford University Property Development to Finance Committee.  See Strategic Capital Steering Group | Governance and Planning (ox.ac.uk)

The researcher representative on the Strategic Capital Steering Group is

Dr Adham Farah - profile link

Childcare Steering Group

The University's Childcare Steering Group meets termly and aims to support the strategic development of childcare provision within the framework of the Childcare development plan. The group considers and recommends any changes in University childcare policy, as well as receiving and approving the termly Childcare Report. In addition, it receives year end and new year financial budgets (which are subject to the UAS planning and budgeting process, based on the development plans, and must be approved by BSC and PRAC).

Your representative on the Childcare Steering Group is

Dr Guy Yona – profile link

Consultative Committee for Health & Safety

The Consultative Committee for Health & Safety (CCHS) constitutes the consultative forum on health and safety required by the Safety Representatives and Safety Committee Regulations. It considers and, as appropriate, comments on, amongst other things: questions on and implementation of health and safety policy; health and safety training within the University; significant accidents and incidents occurring within the University; matters brought to the University's attention by trade union safety representatives. The committee is invited to consider and comment on all proposed new and revised health and safety policies before they are submitted to the Safety Executive Group (SEG).

The researcher representative for MPLS and MSD on the CCHS is Dr Ben Amies-Cull.

The position for researcher representative for Humanities and SSD is currently vacant.

Council

Council is the University’s decision-making body. It is responsible for the academic policy and strategic direction of the University, for its administration, and for the management of its finances and property. It has five major committees: Education Committee, General Purposes Committee, Personnel Committee, Planning and Resource Allocation Committee, and Research Committee.  For further information about this body and its membership, please see this page- The University's Governance Structure.

The researcher representative on Council is

Dr Ed Darnbrough - Profile link

Curators of the University Parks

The Curators of the University Parks have oversight of the financial management of the Parks; ensure that the Parks are run in a cost-effective manner and in the best interests of the University; and ensure that any income derived from events or services is reinvested in the Parks.  The Curators meet termly and report to the Building and Estates Subcommittee. For further information, please see this page - Curators University Parks.

Your researcher representative on Curators of the University Parks is

Dr Alice Little - profile link

Disability Advisory Group 

The Disability Advisory Group is responsible for influencing University policy to ensure inclusion of disabled and neurodiverse staff.  The Group focuses on policy, support, and governance structures that promote inclusivity of all staff at the University. The Group reports to the Equality and Diversity Panel and Personnel Committee.  Its membership includes academics and professional service staff representatives.  For further information about the group and its membership, please see this page - Disability Advisory Group.

The researcher representative on the Disability Advisory Group is

Dr Jennifer Carter - profile link

Equality and Diversity Panel

The Equality and Diversity Panel advises on the development of an overarching strategy for work on equality and diversity across the collegiate University. The Panel covers staff and students and embraces all protected groups (except disability in relation to students).

The Committee meets once per term and reports Joint Committee on EDI and the selected researcher will also be invited to attend a termly meeting with representatives on other University level committees to facilitate two-way communication with the wider researcher community. For further information, please see - Equality and Diversity Panel.

The researcher representative on the Equality and Diversity Panel is

Dr Xin Xu - profile link

Information and Digital Committee

The Information and Digital 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 will own the overarching digital strategy for the University and will report to Council on implementation. The Committee has five ‘sub-committees’, and the Research Portfolio is one of its five sub-committees. As such, joining the Information and Digital Committee would give you oversight of the University’s entire policy and activity in the digital sphere.

The researcher representative on the Information and Digital Committee is

Zahra Mozaffarian - profile link

Intellectual Property Advisory Group

The Intellectual Property Advisory Group (IPAG) is responsible for advising on the development of University policy on the management, protection, and commercial exploitation of intellectual property.  IPAG is responsible to the Research & Innovation Committee, making recommendations as appropriate on IP related matters including:

  • the provision of advice on general policy issues pertaining to the management and exploitation of the University’s intellectual property;
  • the provision of advice on the University’s Intellectual Property Policy, its implementation and disputes arising in respect of these matters

The researcher representative on the Intellectual Property Advisory Group is

Dr Anita Milicic - profile link

Joint Committee on Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)

The Race Equality Task Force recognised in particular the need for a new high-level committee that would, through the breadth of its representation and the significant roles played by its members, have the necessary weight and authority to audit and evaluate the strategy and oversee its implementation, making recommendations as appropriate to Council and Conference of Colleges. The remit of this new committee has deliberately been set wider than race equality so as to cover all aspects of EDI. This is in recognition of the fact that many of the key issues are relevant across groups and that there is a need to consider the intersection of different aspects of EDI. The committee will meet once per term and reports directly to Council. This is a new committee which will have a webpage soon. 

The researcher representative on the EDI Committee is 

Dr Lisa Forsberg - profile link

Open Access Steering Group

The Open Access Steering Group advises on changes to the University Open Access Publications Policy, including allocation for Open Access block grants to ensure funds are allocated equitably. The Group provide oversight and coordination on all matters open access. Consumers and service providers are represented. The Steering Group is accountable to the Research and Innovation Committee, and generally meets six times annually. For further information, please see this page - Open Access Steering Group.

The researcher representatives on the Open Access Steering Group are

Dr Thomas Huet - profile link

Dr Doug Leasure - profile link 

Oxford Innovation Community at Begbroke

Oxford University Development (OUD), the University and Legal & General's joint venture development company, has applied for outline planning permission for its world-leading £1 billion, 190-hectare mixed-use scheme. The site will provide an exemplary new setting for the University's world-leading science and innovation as well as creating a community of up to 2,000 quality homes, many for university staff, with new schools, public park, amenities, and nature reserve. For further information, please see this page - Innovation District at Begbroke Science Park.

The researcher representative is

Dr Peter Juhasz - profile link

Pay and Conditions Steering Committee

The Vice-Chancellor, Irene Tracey, has commissioned an independent analysis of all aspects of pay and conditions for all staff, academic and non-academic. The purpose of the Pay and Conditions Report is to conduct a comprehensive analysis on the total reward and benefits offer for all staff groups across the University. The Pay and Conditions Steering Committee reports directly to the Vice-Chancellor and Council. For further information, please see this page - Pay and Conditions Report.

The researcher representative on the Pay & Conditions Steering Committee is

Dr Ignacio Torrecilla - profile link

People Committee 

People Committee is one of the main committees of the University's Council. It is responsible for personnel and equality matters connected with the employment of the University's employees.  The Committee is responsible for those aspects of the Strategic Plan that relate to People, including:

  • People Commitment Three: To support staff in personal and professional development, and
  • Priority 18: [To] Review and improve our current arrangements to support the personal and career development of all staff.

The research representative on People Committee is

Dr Ed Darnbrough - Profile link

Research and Innovation Committee

Research and Innovation Committee (RIC) is one of the main committees of the University’s Council.  RIC is responsible for University policy and planning issues relating to research, knowledge exchange, innovation, commercial and social entrepreneurship and public engagement with research.  RIC is responsible for the implementation and monitoring of those aspects of the Strategic Plan which relate to the University’s research and research-related activities, including:

• Research Commitment Two: To invest in people, to support them and their research environment, thereby enabling the research endeavour to grow sustainably, and
• Priority 8: [To] Enhance the opportunities and support for early-career researchers.

The researcher representative on Research and Innovation Committee is

Dr Adina Pusok - Profile link

Research Portfolio Committee

The Research Portfolio Committee is a sub-Committee of Information and Digital Committee and also reports to Research & Innovation Committee. It is responsible for the strategy for digital services supporting research and innovation, management of investment across the portfolio, and oversight of the development and delivery of a catalogue of digital services relating to research and innovation.

The researcher representative on the Research Portfolio Committee is

Dr Daniel Valdenegro - profile link

The VC Awards: Advisory & Judging Panel

The 2024 VC awards are a University wide celebration of outstanding people. They celebrate excellence, dedication, courage, ambition and inspirational contributions to Oxford’s mission. This year, there are 11 categories of award. Researchers have specifically been invited to join the panels for three research related awards:

  1. Research Engagement Award: Recognising those who have enriched their research through engaging with those outside the University, for the benefits of wider society.
  2. Innovation and Commercialisation Award: Recognising individuals or teams undertaking research-led innovation or commercialisation.
  3. Research Culture Award: Recognising those who have contributed to a positive, inclusive, and equitable research culture.

Your researcher representative on the VC Advisory Panel for the three research related awards is Dr Peter Juhasz.

Your researcher representative on the VC Judging Panel for the three research related awards is Dr Zakia Alhareth.

UK Research Staff Association

UK Research Staff Association are a volunteer organisation whose mission is to empower researcher staff to take control of their careers and contribute to national policy. For further information and range of opportunities to engage, please see this website -  UK Research Staff Association — Vitae.

Your researcher representatives on the UK Research Staff Association are:

Sara Ratner (co-vice-chair) - profile link

Dr Alessio Bertolini (co-vice-chair) - profile link

Dr Ed Darnbrough (rep on the UKRSA Researcher Development Concordat Steering Group) - profile link

Dr Eirini Trichia - profile link

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