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Who we are

The MPLS Resolution Team is a group of internal trained resolvers who have volunteered to support people in conflict. Team members have completed the National Certificate in Mediation Skills for Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, accredited by the National Open College Network, and provided by Steve Hindmarsh Ltd.

Service leads for the Resolution Service (listed alphabetically) are:

  • David Black, MPLS HR Business Partner
  • Amy Hinks, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Data Analyst and Athena Swan Coordinator
  • Daisy Hung, Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
  • Jo Knights, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator
  • Colette O'Shaughnessy, MPLS HR Team Leader

These Service Leads are the initial points of contact for people reaching out to the Resolution Service, and are the only ones with shared access to the resolution@mpls.ox.ac.uk inbox as well as the Self-referral form and Referrer form. Information shared will be treated confidentially. If necessary, you can also contact the Service Leads individually for support.

Trained resolvers

These resolvers (including the Service Leads) are part of the internal MPLS cohort available to support people in conflict with facilitated conversations. Two resolvers will be selected for each situation, and they will be external to the department(s) involved. They will not have access to confidential matters arising in other cases to which they are not assigned. Resolvers have been trained to facilitate structured conversations in a fair and balanced manner, maintaining confidentiality, and supporting people to reach voluntary, mutually agreed resolutions. Our resolvers are listed alphabetically below.

To confirm, this Service is completely separate to HR and other University processes. While a number of HR professionals make up our Resolvers, this is in a separate capacity to their HR role. Resolvers do not discuss any case or details with Resolvers. You will never be assigned a Resolver from within your department (unless you specifically ask for them), and you are able to request any Resolver that you would like or wouldn't like to have support your case.

 

Dave BlackDavid Black (he/him)

HR Business Partner, MPLS

I have been an HR Business Partner in MPLS division since 2022. My HR career has spanned some 30 years, and has covered a wide range of industry sectors, mainly in the pharmaceutical and life sciences fields, but I have also worked in FMCG, infrastructure projects and spent time as an HR consultant. I returned to the University having previously worked in HR at the Said Business School. Although I have worked across all disciplines in HR, I have always enjoyed the people contact that the role brings and feel this will be of value as one of the trained mediators.

 

Faye CashFaye Cash (she/her)

Facilities, Health and Safety Manager, Begbroke Science Park

I am the Facilities, Health and Safety Manager at Begbroke Science Park and have the privilege of being an ED&I fellow 23/24. Previous to being employed by the University, I served 12 years in the Royal Air Force. Even though both roles are very different, they both hold similar values whereby it takes the people to work collaboratively to ensure, and promote a harmonious working environment.

I enjoy fitness, salsa dancing and gardening.

 

Jo Francis (she/her)

HR Manager, Computer Science

Hi, I am an HR Manager in Computer Science. I have worked in HR at Universities for over 20 years and have been at Oxford since 2020. My role encompasses being a line manager for the HR Team. I am also a mental health first aider and I have previously been trained as a coach and mentor as well as using counselling within the workplace. I have wanted to do the mediation training for a long time and am so glad that I have done it.

 

Ali GoodallAli Goodall (she/her)

Head of Faculty Service and HR, Mathematical Institute

I’ve been Head of Faculty Services and HR at the Mathematical Institute since 2019, and I held various roles with central HR before joining this department. Alongside work we’re busy with a young family, so I understand the pressures of trying to keep it all together! I think the Resolution Service is a really important MPLS initiative; I’m very grateful to be involved, and I’m looking forward to supporting people as they find a way through conflict. 

 

Amy HinksAmy Hinks (she/her)

Athena Swan Coordinator and Data Analyst, MPLS

I am the Athena Swan Coordinator and Data Analyst for the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team in the MPLS Division. I assist departments in their work to improve gender equality for staff and students, supports returning carers and working parents and contributes to the broader work of the EDI team in the division. With a background as a DPhil student and then PDRA, I have an insight into the pressures students and researchers may encounter. Furthermore, I balance work with raising two young children and can relate to the pressures of maintaining work momentum after a career break.

 

Victoria Hudson

HR Team Leader, Department of Chemistry

 

Daisy HungDaisy Hung (she/her)

MPLS Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

I have been advancing ED&I in the MPLS Division since 2015, starting as an Athena Swan Facilitator before expanding across ED&I areas, and I now lead a team to embed ED&I in all that we do. I focus on the strategic development and oversight of our ED&I priorities, working with our departments and central University teams to create a culture of inclusion and collaboration. Before joining the University, I worked on diversifying the legal profession and was a practicing lawyer in California specialising in domestic abuse, family law, and immigration. I love creating new initiatives and am always learning and trying to do better. 

 

Jo KnightsJo Knights (she/her)

MPLS Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator

Hello! I am the ED&I Coordinator for the MPLS Division, working closely with departments to implement the divisional ED&I strategy for staff and students. I lead on several cross-divisional projects which include community engagement and outreach, communications and events, and the MPLS ED&I Fellows scheme. I also lead on all mental health and wellbeing activity for the division but continue to contribute advice and project support for other ED&I-related activity. As a Mental Health First Aider, I am looking forward to using my mediation skills to better support colleagues in the division.

 

Colette O'Shaughnessy

MPLS HR Team Leader

 

Olga PlatonovaOlga Platonova

Deputy Departmental Administrator, Department of Engineering Science

I joined the University in 2011 as a senior post-doctoral scientist and have worked in biomedical research and academic business administration across two Divisions - Medical Sciences (MSD) and Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences (MPLS). For almost 10 years I was a college lecturer in Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in St Catherine’s College. In my current role as a Deputy Departmental Administrator, I lead on a number of departmental projects and improvement initiatives such as EngSci Digital Transformation Programme.

Since 2017, the main focus of my work is on building effective working environments, developing strong collaborative teams and work communities, and improving employee experience. Integrity, encouragement, coaching and working with conflict is at the heart what I do, and I am grateful for the opportunity to support my colleagues across the Division by facilitating difficult conversations that lead to conflict resolution.

 

Emma SmithEmma Smith (she/her)

HR Manager and EEDI Lead, Department of Earth Sciences

I am the HR Manager for the Department of Earth Sciences, a role I have held since January 2014. I deal with Employee Reward, HR Strategy, Policy and Procedures, HR Management and Delivery, Employee Recruitment, Retention & Management and Work Permits and Visas. I also oversee the day to day work of the HR Officer. The HR function looks after 130 employees divided into different staffing groups with different terms and conditions: academic, academic-related, administrative, technical and casual staff. I have recently taken on responsibility for developing and delivering the Department’s EEDI strategy and taken the administrative lead on the Athena SWAN application.

I am the first port of call for both managers and staff when discussing HR issues, from projects and needs to absence or disciplinary matters.

 

Kerry SmithKerry Smith (she/her)

Head of HR, Department of Physics

I am the Head of HR for the Department of Physics and have worked for the University since 2020 and had a career in HR for 20+ years. Meeting people is a key part of my role and it is much easier now that we are more site based and can meet in person. I joined the University just before the pandemic and it was a really challenging but rewarding time supporting staff during this period. I then went on to support HR related projects within MPLS before joining the Department of Physics. I am really pleased to have been given the opportunity to complete the mediation training and look forward to supporting working relations between staff and helping them to find the tools to foster more positive working environment.

 

Deborah SpencerDeborah Spencer (she/her)

MPLS Senior Innovation & Business Partnerships Manager

I have worked in the University since 2018 and have 20 years of working within the life sciences and innovation field. I engage with academic researchers at all levels and help facilitate their engagement with industry partners. Having spent many years in the university sector, I have seen some of the issues that may need resolution support. Being part of the resolution training team for MPLS, will allow me to help those who need this support.

 

Karla Taylor (she/her)

Deputy HR Manager at Physics

Responsible for managing and supporting multiple aspects of the HR function, including onboarding and induction, provide guidance to staff and line managers on policy related matters, recruitment, payroll, personal development, absence, performance management and other, whilst ensuring that HR policies in the Department are applied in a fair and consistent manner.