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Special Interest Groups (SIGs)

About

Education Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are cross-university communities that are open to all staff at Imperial. A SIG is typically multi-faculty and includes staff in different job roles including academic, administrative, and technical. The primary purpose of a SIG is to build informal networks in areas that do not have critical mass within individual departments but are sufficiently relevant across Imperial that a community of practice within the university is viable.

Currently, we have 13 SIGs running. They are:

What do SIGs do?

Each SIG aspires to meet on a termly basis, with the general aim of providing:

Brief, informal updates
Networking time
A feature discussion, activity, or presentation

Outside of termly meetings, a SIG provides an informal network when staff need help in their day-to-day practice. For example, tips with technique, finding information, or making new contacts.

Why participate?

SIGs provide a sense of community and belonging; shared expertise; collaboration; and mutual support.

For new staff in particular, attending a SIG meeting is a great way to get exposure to activities across Imperial , build a professional support network, and find mentorship.

For staff with significant experience, SIGs are a way to contribute to the community through group leadership and give informal advice to university management. SIGs facilitate sharing expertise without putting management responsibilities on staff because not all experts need to become managers.

How do I get involved?

If you would like to join a SIG, fill out the form here to be added to the mailing list. You will then be informed about future activities.

How do I become a SIG leader?

SIGs rely on their leaders to organise termly meetings and play a broader, informal leadership role in the community. SIGs have two or more leaders, who are chosen by the group. To become a SIG leader you should start by joining the regular meetings of the SIG and taking part in community activities.

SIG leaders have the following role:

Organise termly meetings: choose time and date to suit members; prepare an agenda; invite guests; event publicity; chair the meeting. Note that the education office will assist with room booking and catering orders.
Report on termly meetings to the education office, so that a brief record can be held e.g. date of meeting and topics discussed (formal minutes are not required). Also optionally provide any news, such as a summary paragraph, to publish on the website.
Coordinate with other SIG leaders and the education office, including an annual meeting and e.g. responding to requests from College management for consultancy or contributions to College events.

What are the conditions required to create a new SIG?

Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are a space for staff across Imperial to discuss topics with like-minded individuals, learn of new developments in a specialist field and share best practices. The SIG network has grown rapidly since its inception and to ensure SIG applications are considered fairly, a new application cycle is being implemented.

There are two application periods, one in the spring term and one in the summer term. Applications will be open from 1st to 31st March, and 1st to 31st August.

Please fill out the form to submit your SIG proposal.

You will receive the outcome of your proposal within 2 weeks of the application deadline.

Please note, applications will only be considered for new SIG topics. Be sure to read the descriptions of our current SIGs to avoid duplication. If there is an overlap, it may be that your proposed SIG is included as a topic in an existing SIG.