Audio visual (AV) guidelines and standards
Ensuring consistency and excellence for AV installations at the University
At the University of Oxford, maintaining high-quality installations and services is essential for supporting our diverse teaching, administrative, and event needs. The University's Audio-Visual Support Service (AVSS) provides functional audio visual (AV) standards and support to ensure consistency and excellence across all AV installations. Helen Christian, the Physical Spaces Project Sponsor commented:
Good quality physical teaching spaces are a fundamental need, meeting this basic is the foundation for innovation. The Physical Teaching spaces project has set out to establish common inclusive standards to ensure that all teaching environments support both innovative pedagogy and the diverse needs of students and staff across the University with equity.
Standards and recommendations
As part of the University’s digital transformation, the AVSS has created a set of AV standards to support inclusive, technology-enabled teaching spaces across the University. Created in partnership with the Centre for Teaching and Learning as part of the Physical Teaching Spaces project, these standards specify the teaching activities that a space at the University should be able to support. The implementation of these standards will ensure a consistent and equitable experience for staff and students across the University.
Using these standards, the AVSS is available to audit your teaching spaces, producing specific, actionable recommendations that will enable you to elevate the experiences of students, academics, and professional services staff.
Consultancy and support
The AVSS offers specialist consultancy. This chargeable service includes health checks, room surveys, AV solutions design, alongside advice for building and renovation projects. Departments, Colleges, and events teams can also access commissioned on-site and remote AV support tailored to their specific requirements.
Post Pandemic, the use, reliance, expectation and pace of change of technology in the Audio-Visual arena is mind-boggling. Having the knowledge of the AV Support Service as a resource to tap into at all stages has been essential to us. The audit process not only fed detail into the design phase, but the cross-university knowledge of provision; what works, doesn’t and is generally expected helps minimises the risks to what are often substantial investments.
John Kinsey, Director of IT, Brasenose College
Preferred AV suppliers
To maintain consistency and quality, the University has a list of preferred AV suppliers who meet our technical standards and procurement policies. These suppliers are recommended for the installation, maintenance, and support of AV equipment.
Training and resources
Training recommendations and on-demand training materials are available for staff supporting AV facilities. This includes guidance on using AV equipment and troubleshooting common issues. Additionally, there is an AV Community of Practice created to share best practices and facilitate the development of AV capabilities within the University.
For more detailed information, please visit the following pages:
By following the standards and making the most of the available resources, we can ensure that our AV infrastructure supports both in-person and hybrid learning environments effectively for a long time to come.
Where to find out more
To arrange an audit of your space, for further information, or to join our community of practice, please contact the Audio Visual Support Service (AVSS) at av-support@it.ox.ac.uk.
