Navigating our digital future
Natasha Heaton, incoming programme director for Oxford’s Digital Transformation, is looking forward to helping navigate the institution in this fast-changing and disruptive digital era
Although I will start my new role in mid-November, I am already immersed in inspiring conversations about Oxford’s digital potential. Every time I speak with my predecessor, Dr Stuart Lee – who is preparing to return to his full-time post as Deputy Chief Information Office (CIO) and Head of the Office of the CIO – I am impressed by the collective momentum. I am excited about my new role in Oxford’s digital transformation and cannot wait to play my part.
Digital is everywhere. Hardly a day goes by without news headlines about how digital, artificial intelligence (AI) and other frontier technologies are changing everyday experiences for individuals, societies and organisations. As technologies continue to evolve, the University must evolve alongside them.
I’d like to reflect on a previous blog from Professor Anne Trefethen, Pro-Vice Chancellor, People & Digital, and explore our progress during Phase 2 of this new transformation (which started in August 2023).
Our new portfolio-based digital governance framework and operating model started this term. I can see what Anne means when she says – in her recent podcast – that we are rewiring our digital setup to create a clearer institution-wide view of which digital services are available to staff and students, and at what cost.
In a previous role, as part of a global digital transformation, I saw first-hand that a digital transformation is never really ‘done'. It is not like other tech projects where we implement a system and mark it as ‘complete'. It’s new ways of working through process, technology, people and data. It’s hundreds of digital-focused initiatives and projects that work together to create user-centric digital experiences, modernising organisational inner workings and ultimately simplifying life for staff and students.
I can see this playing out here with the Phase 2 transformational initiatives. If you missed it in other communications, this investigations report page illustrates how the programme has worked with hundreds of colleagues Oxford-wide, to carefully consider, analyse and review new digital possibilities. This year, once again, there are several new investigations, intervention projects and capabilities being introduced, alongside some ongoing from last year.
Here’s a breakdown of the Phase 2 initiatives – once again, staff and students will be asked to provide their input along the way.
So, what are we actually delivering to improve daily life for students and staff? Here are some of my early observations…
One of my favourite ideas so far is Oxford’s new Student Hub, which will create a more personalised single point of information and access to services for students and staff. Research colleagues currently struggling to access information and management functionality will have a more integrated process for managing research projects from end-to-end.
Similarly, administrative colleagues will not rely on time-sucking workarounds to use data or carry out repetitive tasks. Instead, they’ll have access to trusted data and better tools. Did you know that the new Workflow & Automation competency centre team has already supported more than 50 departments to make immediate practical changes to how they work and connect with end users?
I was delighted to hear that we will have more robust web publishing solutions to accommodate the needs of research groups, departments and the University overall. We’ll also have a much-needed, more personalised, single ‘intranet-in-a-box’ solution.
We all know that our University-wide Wi-Fi access can be inadequate. We aim to have robust, secure and managed wireless connectivity across the entire University estate. Sounds great to me!
The core thread in every digital service is identity. Our colleagues in the identity management part of the programme have started addressing known issues with their continuous improvement approach, including identity for outreach students, college visitors, casual workers and non-matriculated students.
With the shared infrastructure service programme – during the next 3 to 4 years – we will be working with divisions and departments to create a shared service approach to IT infrastructure delivery to help improve everyone’s user experience and the security of our IT infrastructure.
Finally, I hope you will join us at the Oxford Digital Festival on Thursday 9 November at the Jesus College Digital Hub. This is a rare opportunity to meet a diverse range of ‘innovator’ colleagues under one roof on the same day. I’m looking forward to discovering how we demystify 1,300-year-old doodles; nurture new-borns in Kenya; spot Parkinson’s disease early; digitise coins; recreate extinct animals; help breathless people; and use AI. Come along and introduce yourself to me! There are still some spaces available so please register now.
Links to more info:
Digital Transformation webpage
