research services oxford organogram

Research Services organisational structure

Leadership team.

Executive Director : Dr Stephen Conway Teams reporting to the Executive Director:

• Innovation & Engagement   – Director: Dr Olga Kozlova
• Research Strategy & Policy Unit   – Director: Dr Tanita Casci
• Research Funding & Contracts   – Director: Dr Tamsin Sayer
• Research Governance, Ethics & Assurance   – Director: Heather House
• Administration & Finance   – Head of Administration & Finance: Victoria Robson

View the Senior Leadership Team organogram

View the research governance, ethics & assurance team organogram, view the research strategy and policy unit organogram, view the administration and finance team organogram, view the innovation and engagement team organogram, related links.

• Research Practice

A priority of the University Research Culture Programme

The University of Oxford enables ambitious research of exceptional quality. Accordingly, and in line with its Strategic Plan (2018–2024), the University supports the research community to conduct research and innovation activities with rigour, transparency, and respect. 

Researchers at Oxford, regardless of career stage or job role, will benefit from policies, guidance, and training to apply the highest standards of practice when planning, designing, conducting, recording, reporting, and sharing their research findings, conclusions and any underpinning data, sources or materials.

This approach aligns with the expectations and commitments of various national and international Concordats, sector agreements, and cross-sector norms (such as the Concordat to Support Research Integrity , the Concordat on Open Research Data and the FAIR Principles for data management ), and by research funders, professional societies, regulators and publishers.   The University acknowledges that good practice in research is constantly evolving, that the relevance of some practices may vary across disciplines, and that new tools and models are emerging in how research findings are published, disseminated, and evaluated, and in how contributions are acknowledged  and recognised. Researchers are encouraged to embrace these innovations to enhance the visibility of,  and trust in, their research. The University will regularly review its policies, guidance, and training to reflect such developments.

Research Practice is a priority of the broader Research Culture Programme , and this programme is supported by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research). The work for this priority is coordinated by the Research Practice Group , chaired by Professor Susanna-Assunta Sansone, the Academic Lead for Research Culture (Research Practice).

• Compliance Checklist

The tabs below give links and advice on steps that may need to be taken during each part of the research process to support and improve research practice. Not every step will apply to every project, but please read through each step, and follow the guidance if it is relevant to your research. 

• Before you start
• Planning your research
• Conducting your research
• Transparency in reporting
• Sharing and publishing your research
• Getting credit for your research

The following checklist is a guide for researchers to help ensure compliance and best practice in research. Not every step will apply to every project, but please read through each step, and follow the guidance if it is relevant to your research. 

Guidance on Research Practice

Contact the research practice team.

Email us:  [email protected]

Sarah Callaghan - Research Practice Manager

Mónica Palmero Fernández - Research Practice Coordinator

Research Practice Group

Community Driven Initiatives

• UK Reproducibility Network
• Reproducible Research Oxford (RROx)
• FAIR Principles
• TRUST Principles for digital repositories
• CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance
• FAIRsharing Community Programme
• Oxford Festival of Open Scholarship 2023

Key University policies relating to research practice

• Academic integrity in research: code of practice and procedure
• Conflict of Interest policy
• Open Access Publications policy
• Research Data Management policy
• Policy on the ethical conduct of research involving human participants and personal data
• Intellectual property policy
• Policy A-Z – quick access to University research-related policies and procedures  

Research at Oxford

Oxford vaccine saved most lives in its first year of rollout

Novel all-in-one vaccine developed to tackle future coronavirus threats

How to mobilise $100 trillion wisely: Oxford course on sustainable finance

True planet (2021).

Expose ‘greenwashing’ but do not ignore nature-based solutions to climate change - insists Oxford expert

Expert Comment: We must break free of fossil fuel Stockholm Syndrome

New cross-sector sustainable energy transition hub opens with energy crisis forum

Coronavirus research (2020).

COVID-19 vaccine protects people of all body weights from hospitalisation and death

Com-COV study supports flexible priming intervals in standard/mixed schedules

Higher rate of COVID-19 death before vaccination linked to certain common inflammatory immune conditions

Organisational structure

Its collegiate structure distinguishes oxford from most other academic institutions - but there are more elements that together form the university.

Oxford University has no clear date of foundation, but teaching in some form existed at Oxford from 1096. The University was formally incorporated in 1571 under the name of 'The Chancellor Masters and Scholars of the University of Oxford'.

Read more about the University’s legal status as a civil corporation and an exempt charity .

‘Collegiate’ and ‘central’ University

Oxford University’s unique structure sometimes makes it necessary to define precisely which parts of the University you are referring to. Oxford’s colleges are an integral part of the University, but legally independent institutions. Refer to the ‘collegiate University’ when you describe the University including its colleges, otherwise to the ‘central University’.

The central University consists of

Academic divisions and departments

• Gardens, Libraries and Museums (GLAM)
• University Administration and Services (UAS)

The University’s academic departments, faculties and research centres are grouped into four divisions:

• Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences (MPLS)
• Medical Sciences
• Social Sciences

The divisions have considerable authority in matters such as academic policy, finance, and planning. Each division has a full-time divisional head, who sits on Council and its main committees. A divisional secretary leads each division’s administration. They also have elected divisional boards, to which faculty boards and department committees report.

See which departments and faculties belong to each division

Department for Continuing Education

The Department for Continuing Education is the focus of the University’s lifelong learning, professional development and online learning activities. It provides university education to those who wish to study part-time, through short full-time courses or online. Continuing Education is under the general supervision of a Continuing Education Board. 

Gardens, Libraries and Museums

Gardens, Libraries and Museums (GLAM) comprises the four University museums, the Bodleian Libraries and the Botanic Garden & Harcourt Arboretum. These contain some of the world's most significant collections. They provide important research and study opportunities for members of the University. For the public they also represent the front door to the wealth of knowledge curated and generated at Oxford.

Visit the GLAM website

Professional and administrative services

The central administrative departments of the University are collectively called University Administration and Services (UAS). UAS sections are responsible for University-wide functions in the areas of

• academic administration
• research services
• IT services
• external affairs

Most heads of UAS sections report to the Registrar. To find out more about individual areas of central administration at Oxford, refer to the full list of UAS sections .

Colleges and halls

Oxford’s 44 colleges, which includes 5 permanent private halls, are an integral part of the collegiate University. They are independent, self-governing institutions, which are related to the central University in a federal system. Each college has its own statutes, endowment and governing body, which comprises the Head of House and college fellows.

View list of all colleges and halls

Although independent, the colleges share many responsibilities with the central University. For example, the admissions policy and process for undergraduate students is co-ordinated centrally, but colleges select their own students. For postgraduate students there is a two-part admissions process involving selection by both department and college. In terms of teaching, the colleges provide tutorials, while the University organises lectures and seminars, sets the syllabuses, examines students, and awards degrees.  

Find colleges and halls on the interactive map .

Oxford University Press

Oxford University Press (OUP) is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University's objectives by publishing academic and educational books and online resources worldwide. OUP’s affairs are overseen by a group of delegates appointed from the academic staff of the University and chaired by the Vice-Chancellor.

Read more about the structure and history of Oxford University Press .

Related links

• List of divisions and departments
• Gardens, Libraries and Museums (GLAM)
• All colleges and halls
• Professional services departments

Research funding, applications and awards

We have a wealth of information at Oxford to help researchers and research support staff to find funding, assist with the application process, and manage resulting research awards.

• Research Support – for all research projects
• Oxford Global Research – for EC/Horizon 2020, Global Challenges Research Fund and ODA research

How to find funding

Research Professional Research Professional holds details of thousands of research funding opportunities as well as tips on targeting funders, advice for early career researchers and research policy news. It is free to use for everyone at Oxford. To make the most of Research Professional see our training and guidance .

Check our websites for internal funding opportunities, coordinated University bids, EC and GCRF/ODA funding (see right for quick links).

Applying for funding

Research process overview Are you new to the research funding process at Oxford? Start with our research process chart for an overview of what you need to consider as part of your research funding application. This includes research governance and ethics approval requirements, how to cost and price your project, and the need for research contracts or agreements.

Check our websites for details of the application process at Oxford and funder/scheme guidance.

Managing awards

Check our websites for information on financial project management (start with the summary for PIs – SSO required ), reporting to funders, data management and open access requirements.

• Research Professional training
• Research integrity training
• Research data management training
• Open access training
• EC/Horizon 2020 funding
• Knowledge exchange and impact funding opportunities
• General internal funding opportunities
• Co-ordinated University bids
• Funding for public engagement
• Funding for policy engagement
• GCRF and ODA funding
• Your departmental and/or divisional research facilitator/support staff
• Research Services (pre-award) and Research Accounts (post-award)

Structure and organisation

Learn about how the university of oxford is structured and how the different departments and colleges work together.

Divisions, departments & colleges

• Divisions and Departments
• Humanities Division
• Mathematical, Physical & Life Sciences Division
• Medical Sciences Division
• Social Sciences Division
• Department for Continuing Education
• Gardens, Libraries & Museums
• Academic departments A to Z
• Professional Services (UAS)
• Colleges & halls

Governance & structure

• Guide to governance and University structure
• Vice-Chancellor
• Vice-Chancellor's direct reports (pdf)
• Committees of Council
• University Committees (pdf)
• Conference of Colleges
• Congregation
• University ceremonies

Policies & procedures

• University's Statutes, Regulations, Policies and Codes of Practice
• Compliance - policies and statements
• Information Security – guidance and policy
• Bribery and Fraud guidance
• Equality policy
• Employer Justified Retirement Age

Learn about the University's structure

For a quick guide to how Oxford University is structured and governed, follow the links provided below. 

Organisational structure

Oxford University has a unique structure and history. Find out how the different parts of the University work together on a high level. 

University governance

Read about Council, Congregation, and the other bodies that together make up the University's governance. 

Senior University Officers

What are the roles and responsibilities of the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar and other senior officers?