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Inaugural MPLS-Development Showcase educates on MPLS priorities

The MPLS Development Team recently hosted its first MPLS–Development Showcase, bringing together fundraisers and colleagues from across the University to deepen understanding of the MPLS division and departmental priorities and strengthen collaboration for greater fundraising success. The event marked an important step in aligning awareness and development activity with the strategic goals of Mathematical, Physical, and Life Sciences, while creating space for discussion and engagement across departments and central teams.

A photo of the MPLS Development Team

Head of MPLS, Professor Jim Naismith, opened the Showcase with a candid Q&A session. He offered practical insight into the opportunities and challenges shaping the fundraising at Oxford and within MPLS, and emphasised the incredible research, teaching and professional delivery work happening in all our departments which inspire him and our donors. His reflections underscored the critical role that leadership and academic voices play in articulating our vision and inspiring donor confidence, as well as the value of close partnership between researchers and development professional services colleagues.

The Showcase comes at a time of significant momentum for MPLS fundraising. The division is experiencing a banner year, having secured more than £30 million in new pledges and cash contributions to date. This builds on an exceptional performance last year, when Development achieved more than 80% on year growth in new funds raised. These results reflect a sustained and strategic effort to partner more meaningfully with departments, position MPLS as a compelling destination for philanthropic investment, establish strong pipelines of opportunities across all departments, and elevate development best practices within a growing community of expert professionals.

More than 50 fundraisers, development colleagues, and MPLS professional services staff attended the inaugural showcase, both online and in person at Tinsley, the Division’s new office space. The strong turnout demonstrated clear appetite for greater connection and coordination across the University’s development community. Attendees engaged with presentations on key funding priorities in each department, learned about exciting and inspirational research, heard updates on campaign preparation, and explored ways to collaborate with departments more effectively in support of shared goals.

The MPLS Development Team continues to work actively to amplify divisional and departmental priorities across Oxford’s fundraising landscape. This includes a focused effort to elevate MPLS within the Vice Chancellor’s recently announced major development campaign. By ensuring that the Division’s strengths, ambitions, and needs are well defined, the team aims to secure increased visibility and investment at a critical moment for the University.

The Showcase stands as an intentional and structured approach to engaging fundraisers with MPLS priorities, and building collaboration for more meaningful results. Reinforcing and strengthening these connections will be essential to sustaining fundraising growth and ensuring that philanthropic support aligns with the Division’s most pressing needs and highest impact opportunities.

We encourage MPLS colleagues who would like to learn more about development activity, discuss potential opportunities, or explore how to engage with donors to get in touch. Each Department has a ‘primary’ lead fundraiser, who works in direct partnership and stands as a go-to resource for academics and professional services colleagues. For general leadership questions or further direction on engagement, please feel free to reach out to Mary Teeter, Head of Development for MPLS, at mary.teeter@dae.ox.ac.uk.