Research Staff Committees
There are three formal groups that feed into University governance decisions about research staff:
· The Research Staff Steering Committee
· The Research Staff Consultation Group
· The Research Staff Working Group
The role of each group, how they work together and their current membership are outlined below.
Researchers also join key University committees, including Council, People Committee, Research & Innovation Committee.
For further information and the contact details of your representatives on these groups, please see - Researcher Representatives on other University Committees.
If you are interested in joining a committee or working group, please see - Current Opportunities to join Committees and Working Groups as a Researcher Representative.
Research Staff Steering Committee
The Research Staff Steering Committee provides strategic direction with respect to enhancing the opportunities and support for research staff, in accordance with Priority 8 of the University's Strategic Plan 2018-23 and the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers. It is a decision-making group reporting to the University Research and Innovation Committee and informally to Personnel Committee. Members include key governance roles such as the University Advocate for Research Staff and Research Staff Advocates in each of the four divisions.
| Name | Title |
| Professor David Gavaghan | Chair of RSSC |
| University Advocate for Research Staff | |
| Professor Martin Conway | Humanities Academic Lead for Research Environment |
| Professor Leanne Hodson | MSD Advocate for Research Staff |
| Professor Matt Jarvis | MPLS Advocate for Research Staff |
| Professor Christiaan Monden | Social Sciences Advocate for Research Staff |
| Dr Christopher Morton | GLAM Advocate for Research Staff |
| Sir Tim Hitchens | Representative of Conference of Colleges |
| Dr Jonathan Black | Director, Careers Service |
| Renu Gupta | Director, Talent, HR |
| Dr Tanita Casci | Director, Research Strategy & Policy Unit, Research Services & Co-Chair of RSWG |
| Marilyn Verghis | Interim Head of Equality & Diversity Unit |
| Julie Rees | Interim Head of People & Organisational Development |
| Dr Irina Chelysheva | Co-Chair of RSCG |
| Dr Hilary Wynne | Co-Chair of RSCG |
| Dr Rachel Bray | Research Staff Hub Lead, Co-Chair of RSWG |
| Dr Steve Joy | Head of the Postdoc Academy, University of Cambridge |
Upcoming RSSC meetings
- Monday 19 May 2025, 14:00 - 16:00 (TT week 4)
Research Staff Consultation Group
Comprising research staff only, the Research Staff Consultation Group actively contributes to an overall strategy to underpin the professional and career development of research staff at the University. Working under the auspices of the Research and Innovation Committee, the Consultation Group works with the Research Staff Working Group to inform the Research Staff Steering Committee on initiatives, progress and major issues relating to research staff development, including views, suggestions and concerns articulated through the Research Staff Representative structure.
Upcoming RSCG meetings
- Wednesday 12 March 2025, 10:00 -12:00 (HT week 8)
- Wednesday 23 April 2025, 10:00 – 12:00 (TT week 0)
- Wednesday 11 June 2025, 10:00 – 12:00 (TT week 8)
Research Staff Working Group
The Research Staff Working Group is operational; it contributes to University strategy for the professional and career development of research staff by preparing information to inform decision-making, discussing and recommending approaches, and acting on decisions made through this governance structure. It works under the auspices of the Research and Innovation Committee and alongside the Research Staff Consultation Group to inform the Research Staff Steering Committee on initiatives, progress and major issues relating to research staff development.
| Name | Title | |
| Dr Rachel Bray | Co-Chair of RSWG, Researcher Hub Lead | rachel.bray@admin.ox.ac.uk |
| Dr Tanita Casci | Co-Chair of RSWG, Director, Research Strategy & Policy Unit | tanita.casci@admin.ox.ac.uk |
| Dr Caroline Thurston | Researcher Training and Development Manager, Humanities Division | caroline.thurston@humanities.ox.ac.uk |
| Dr Mary Muers | Research Culture Facilitator, Medical Sciences Division | mary.muers@medsci.ox.ac.uk |
| Dr Justin Hutchence | Researcher Training and Development Manager, MPLS Division | justin.hutchence@mpls.ox.ac.uk |
| Lindsey Spriggs | Research Culture Facilitator | lindsey.spriggs@socsci.ox.ac.uk |
| Holly Cooper | UCU Representative | holly.cooper@hmc.ox.ac.uk |
| Ellen Dyer | UCU Representative | ellen.dyer@ouce.ox.ac.uk |
| Emanuela Vai | Researcher Representative | emanuela.vai@worc.ox.ac.uk |
| Dr Susan Black | Careers Adviser (Research Staff), Careers Service | susan.black@careers.ox.ac.uk |
| Jennifer Chapin | Gender Equality Advisor, Equality and Diversity Unit | jennifer.chapin@admin.ox.ac.uk |
Upcoming RSWG meetings
- Monday 28 April 2025, 10:00 – 12:00 (TT week 1)
- Monday 7 July 2025, 10:00 – 12:00 (TT week 11)