Voice Reps: Research Staff Representation formerly managed by OxRSS

OxRSS built the research staff representation system and managed it until 2021. Research staff serving as 'Voice Reps' represented researchers in their departments and on University-level committees. OxRSS built the network over years, and chaired termly Voice Rep meetings attended by representatives from across all four academic Divisions. At these meetings, Voice Reps reported on concerns of research staff in their departments, and on issues discussed at University-level committees where they sat. Through this system, information on researcher concerns and on progress in addressing them was channelled between research staff and the committees. Voice Rep meetings were also an opportunity for Reps to share advice and experience in handling certain issues, which was particularly helpful during the Covid pandemic and its impact on researchers. During this time and still today, the OxRSS Committee has had seats on the Research Staff Consultation Group (RSCG), one of the University-level committees focusing on research staff concerns.

In 2021, the representation system was gradually absorbed into the Divisions, which now hold forum discussions for their departmental research staff representatives. In addition, each Division has two research staff representatives who sit on the RSCG.

You can read more about OxRSS's role on the About Us page, and about the current Research Staff Representation system.