London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

What is the Project Management Community of Practice?

The Project Management Community of Practice (CoP) is an informal network designed to connect project managers, coordinators, and anyone interested in project management across our School. We meet regularly to facilitate knowledge transfer, peer support, and the continued professional development of staff with project management responsibilities. The CoP aims to provide learning and development opportunities for its members, while also fostering networks and improving relationships across various departments and projects in London, The Gambia, and Uganda.

Who is involved in setting up this community of practice?

The core group involved in setting up the CoP includes Chelsey Knott, Hannah Chroston, Jack Howlett, Katherine Barrett, Lamin Leigh, Raquel Thalheimer, and Samantha Owen. We are members of different teams and departments who met during the "Project Management for Experienced Staff and Large Projects" course in February 2023.

What is the ‘value add’ of this CoP for individuals and LSHTM’s work?

Effective project management reduces financial, operational, and reputational risk. Well-managed projects contribute to stronger results and increase the likelihood of continued or future funding. For staff involved in the project lifecycle, project management is a vital professional skill. After our training course, we felt there was no project management-specific platform at LSHTM to share experiences, ideas, or discuss opportunities for continued professional development. We created this group to address this gap and provide an opportunity for staff working on similar tasks to foster cross-department connections.

Who should join the CoP?

Everyone with an interest in project management is welcome. We are a fun and friendly group looking to expand our knowledge and skills while lightening the workload through shared advice and experience. Join our Teams channel. Our next event is on Wednesday, August 21st, at 1 PM GMT, where we will debrief the Association of Research Managers and Administrators (ARMA) conference for those who couldn’t attend. Following that, we have an event planned on Wednesday, September 18th, at 1 PM GMT, with the topic to be determined based on the open poll circulating on our Teams site.