GuildHEÂ
Networks
GuildHE runs 25 networks, each with a specific focus. Network meetings provide an opportunity for senior managers in GuildHE member institutions to network and to have an input into key policy discussions and consultations.
The programmes for network meetings are set to reflect topical issues of interest or concern for all network members. Typically they include presentations from external bodies plus an opportunity for practical workshops and discussion.
Some of the networks meet several times in the year and others are ‘virtual’ and receive electronic briefings, meeting only when there are specific matters of concern to GuildHE members. Network arrangements are seen as part of the service that GuildHE provides for its members so are normally free of charge to member institutions. Network members are usually the senior manager with responsibility for the area concerned.
Click on the individual networks below to find out more about each network plus the contact details for the network manager. Visit our Events and Network Meetings web page to view the meeting dates for the year.
Admissions & Recruitment
Meets three times a year. Regular speakers from UCAS.
Contact – Kate Wicklow
Chair –Â Pete Edge, University of Law
Alumni & Fundraising
Meets twice a year, for heads of fundraising and development. Recent sessions include small shop fundraising, alumni engagement and GDPR.
Contact – Mark Taylor
Clerks to the Board
This is a new network that supports clerks to governing bodies considering different elements of board effectiveness. In 2021/22 this included a survey of members on board effectiveness, plus we ran a joint project with AdvanceHE on inclusive board culture and considered questions of academic governance.Â
Contact – Alex Bols
Environmental
This is a new network that supports institutions to embed environmental sustainability in their institutional strategies. In 2021/22 this included a survey of members on various elements relating to targets, resource allocation and key priorities, plus we ran a joint project with EAUC to support members embed climate action across their institution.
Contact – Alex Bols
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
Over the last two years we have been supporting members on their journey to becoming anti-racist universities and organisations. Whilst clearly there is more work to do we will now be widening our EDI support work to all forms of equality work happening in member institutions. Among the reasons for this is how intersectionality is becoming increasingly important to recognise in EDI work. We will be creating a briefing on the experiences of LGBT+ staff and students.
Contact – Kate Wicklow
Chair – Prof Nick Braisby, GuildHE Board Diversity Champion and Vice-Chancellor, Buckinghamshire New University
Estates & ICT
Mailings and events when necessary.
Contact – Angellique Woolery
Finance
Mailings and events when necessary.
Contact – Mark Taylor
Human Resources
Meets up to three times a year, with regular updates from UCEA.
Contact – Angellique Woolery
Chair –Â Giosi Birkett, Director of HR, Newman University
International
This network provides members with updates relating to international issues from our joint work with UUK International, the Home Office, UKSCISA and other organisations.
Contacts – Dr Alex Bols and Dana Gamble
Chair – Dr Esther Wilkinson, Associate Director, Business Development, Royal Agricultural University
Knowledge Exchange, Innovation and Place (KIP)
Meets four times a year with additional drop-ins and workshops. The network brings together senior leaders in the areas of knowledge exchange and innovation and also focuses on place-making and levelling up. KIP works closely with GuildHE Research.
Contact – Dana Gamble
Librarians
For staff in Libraries and Information Services at member institutions.
Contact – Ellen Graves, GuildHE Policy Officer
Chair – Emma Sansby, Bishop Grosseteste University
Marketing & Communications
Meets up to three times a year. Focuses on issues relating to marketing and internal and external communications in higher education providers.
Contact – Tara McNicholas
Policy & Planning
This network is aimed at staff in member institutions who are focused on policy, registry and planning. It meets twice per year and via the mailing list network members also receive all of our consultation draft and final responses. The network brings together discussions of ongoing policy issues and opportunities as well as specific issues with regulation and data, and is regularly attended by the OfS, HESA, JISC and OIA.
Contact – Kate Wicklow
Chair – Dr Robin Kirby, Registrar & Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Arts University Plymouth
Quality Management
Meets up to three times a year. This network brings together heads of quality to discuss a range of issues which in the past year has included grade inflation, degree algorithms, Quality Code reforms.
Contact – Alex Bols
Chair –Â Jon Renyard, Director for Student Experience, Arts University Bournemouth
Registrar / COO
Network aimed at Heads of university administration including Registrar and COO positions.
Contact – Alex Bols
Research (GuildHE Research)
GuildHE Research runs events and activities for research staff and students throughout the year, and members have access to a range of shared services (separate subscriptions).
Contact – Rachel Persad
Chair –Â Prof John Strachan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise, Bath Spa University
Website – www.research.guildhe.ac.uk
Research Degree Awarding Powers
A discussion group and peer network available for all GuildHE and GuildHE Research members to explore RDAP, share challenges, progress, and learning. We also have a Degree Awarding Powers (DAPs) network which brings together the RDAP network jointly with our TDAP and NDAP (Taught Degree Awarding Powers and New Degree Awarding Powers) networks
Contact – Rachel Persad
Skills
This is a new network starting in July 2023 that offers the opportunity for members to discuss apprenticeships, the LLE (lifelong loan entitlement), regional skills partnerships and other skills-related policies.
Contact – Dana Gamble
Chair –Â Alice Wilby, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Access, Participation and Student Experience), University College Birmingham
Student Support
Meets up to three times a year bringing together student support staff to discuss the full range of student support needs.
Contact – Kate Wicklow
Chair –Â Lesley Worsfold, Vice Principal – Resources, Hartpury University
Students' Union
Meets regularly to provide a space for elected student officials and SU staff to network and discuss issues which affect smaller students’ unions. It regularly works collaboratively with the GuildHE Quality Network and guests from NUS.
Contact – Qas YounisÂ
Taught and New Degree Awarding Powers (T&N DAPs)
GuildHE has a network for those considering or going through TDAP and NDAP (Taught Degree Awarding Powers and New Degree Awarding Powers). We also have a Degree Awarding Powers (DAPs) network which brings together the TDAP and NDAP networks jointly with our RDAP network.Â
Contact – Alex Bols
Teaching & Learning
This network is aimed at Directors of Learning and Teaching and provides updates on work including collaborations with AdvanceHE.
Contact – Alex Bols
Ukadia
Ukadia is a network open to specialist arts institutions and meets three to four times a year. More details of ukadia’s members can be found at www.ukadia.ac.uk (separate subscription).
Contact – Kate Wicklow
Chair –Â Prof Paul Gough, Vice Chancellor, Arts University Bournemouth
Widening Participation
For staff with responsibility for WP and Access & Participation plans. The network meets three times per year.Â
Contact – Kate Wicklow
Chair –Â Ross Renton, Principal, ARU Peterborough
Widening Participation (Ukadia)
This network is specifically for WP teams within ukadia members to share practice in arts WP and to collaborate on projects which feed into individual Access and Particiaption Plans. We currelty run a collaborative project providing arts CPD to teachers in schools.Â
Contact – Kate Wicklow
Chair –Â Eyv Hardwick, Learning and Teaching Development Manager, The Northern School of Art