Growing professional communities across Oxford

Oxford’s growing network of professional communities connect colleagues across professions and work interests

Professional communities bring together colleagues with similar work interests or related roles from across the University to foster collaboration, share resources, support development and remove inefficiencies to make life easier and better. 

Since 2022, our professional community network has expanded with Communities of Practice (CoPs) established across a broad range of professions. Community driven change is now happening across Oxford, from Career Pathways pilots within the Finance Community and PA/EA CoP to the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) CoP’s inaugural training conference in September 2024. Machilu Van Bever Donker, EDI Practitioner, Humanities Division, and member of the EDI Training Conference organising committee commented that feedback showed around 90% of attendees believe that the event will help them in their role. Read more about the conference in the case studies below.

The Professional Communities Support Fund was established in 2023. Communities can apply to the fund for grants to support their activities. Examples of supported activities include: 

  • an in-person meeting for the Research Culture CoP for a presentation on EDI in academic career progression at the University and an opportunity to meet the CoP’s new leaders 

  • an interactive video skills session in a local cinema and a technical pilot for a potential research film festival arranged by Oxford Video Makers 

  • the PA/EA CoP annual conference

  • the launch event for the Business and Operations Managers community and a session on business continuity planning 

Joining one or more professional communities is a great way to connect with peers, find solutions to common problems and avoid reinventing the wheel. When surveyed, 71% of CoP members felt that their community had a positive impact on their collaboration with others and 97% of members would recommend that others working in similar or related roles should join their community. 

Being part of a community of practice is a transformative experience. You gain a sense of perspective, how your work fits into a large organisation – and how valuable it is. The network offers professional support, paths to professional development and opportunities to shape new ways of working. 

Dr George Regkoukos, FHEA, RISN Support Coordinator, Research Services

Resources are listed in alphabetical order. 

Professional Communities Directory 

The Professional Communities Directory provides information on many of the professional communities at Oxford as well as some external networks.  

These communities foster collaboration and networking opportunities, enabling members to share knowledge, develop skills, and support each other's professional growth. By joining a community, you can gain access to valuable resources, events, and discussions that can enhance your career development. 

The information in the directory is provided by community leaders. Find a professional community based on your interest in a particular topic or area, or to meet with colleagues with shared expertise and working in similar roles. 

If you would like to list your professional community in the Directory, please email Marc Adams at pod@admin.ox.ac.uk. 

Professional Communities Leaders Forum 

If you lead or organise a professional community for staff at the University, you are welcome to join the Professional Community Leaders Forum. 

The Forum works closely with Professional Services Together, holding termly meetings where leaders of staff networks and communities of practice meet to share ideas and good practice. Funding is also available towards the cost of community events. 

For details of how to join the Forum, please email People and Organisational Development (POD) at pod@admin.ox.ac.uk. 

Professional Communities Support Fund 

Leaders of professional communities can apply to the Support Fund for one-off grants to support community activities. 

To apply for a grant please email Marc Adams at pod@admin.ox.ac.uk. 

Toolkits 

The People and Organisational Development (POD) team has created valuable resources to empower colleagues interested in forming professional communities. Explore the Communities of Practice and Professional Networks toolkits on POD’s webpages. 

EDI Training Conference 

Members of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Community of Practice planned and ran an EDI Training Conference. A community created event which addressed their need for more targeted development opportunities.

Unleashing potential with the PA and EA Career Pathways

Discover the PA and EA Career Pathways, a valuable resource for Personal Assistants (PAs) and Executive Assistants (EAs) looking to develop new skills, explore career opportunities, and map their professional growth. The PA/EA Community of Practice has made this resource open access for colleagues at the University.

Contact us

pst@admin.ox.ac.uk

Useful links