22 September 2026 - Improving your digital experience with UCISA
Communities and Representation functionality coming to UCISA Connect
At UCISA, we want to make it easier for our members to connect, collaborate, share knowledge and participate in the communities that bring our sector together; and in our representation work that ensures that Members’ voices shape sector-wide decisions and vendor relationships.
On 30 October 2026, we will launch new Communities and Representation functionality on the UCISA Connect Portal, - another important step in creating a simpler, more connected digital experience for our members.
One place to connect with UCISA
UCISA Connect is becoming the digital front door to your relationship with UCISA.
The portal already supports event bookings, CPD, and access to event resources, and we are continuing to develop it to provide a more connected experience across our services.
From 30 October, the new functionality will make it easier to:
- See the UCISA communities you belong to
- Join communities relevant to your interests
- Access the online engagement space for each of your communities
- Connect with colleagues and share knowledge across the sector
- See, take part in, and manage your representation activity
- Access communities, events, resources, your CPD activity, and other UCISA services through a more joined-up digital experience.
Designed around how our communities work
Over the summer 2026, we listened to our members and colleagues to understand how we can improve the digital experience.
We held discussions with Community Chairs to understand what works well today, where the frustrations are, and what people need from digital community engagement.
Community Chairs told us that successful digital communities need to be easy to access, simple to participate in, and valuable enough for people to return to. Members also need useful notifications when something happens in their communities’ digital space, while Chairs need better visibility of their communities as well as support to nurture participation.
We are using that feedback to shape both the technology and the way we support communities.
Bringing Visibility to our Representation work
Our Representation work ensures that members’ voices directly shape sector-wide decisions and vendor relationships.
From 30th October, you will be able to see active pieces of representation, follow how UCISA is advocating on issues that matter to you, and use a clear mechanism to raise concerns or policy questions for us to take forward. You will also be able to join representation networks, connecting with peers who share your priorities and helping us build a stronger, more visible collective voice. To get the most from this new feature, you must be registered on UCISA Connect so you can engage fully with our representation activity - alongside your community involvement.
What do I need to do?
Register on UCISA Connect now!
If you are already part of a UCISA community, the most important thing you can do now is make sure you are registered on UCISA Connect.
Please register by 30 September 2026.
Members who are registered on the portal and already associated with a community will be assigned to their communities automatically as part of the transition. Community members who are not registered will subsequently need to register on the portal and join their communities through the portal.
What happens next?
30 September - Register on the UCISA Connect Portal
Make sure you are registered on UCISA Connect to support a smooth transition.
Early October - Prepare
We will begin transferring community information and share further guidance on what to expect.
14 October - Discover
Join our open Members' session for a preview of the new functionality, including a show-and-tell of the Communities and Representation experience.
30 October - Connect
Communities and Representation both go live through the UCISA Connect Portal
Beyond Launch
Launching the new functionalities is part of our wider commitment to continually improve members' digital experience with UCISA.
We will continue listening, learning and refining the service as people begin using these new features. Our ambition is to introduce new technology, and make it easier for members to find each other, share knowledge, participate and get more value from being a UCISA member.
Call to action:
Already part of a UCISA community? Register on the UCISA Connect Portal, by 30 September to help us make your transition as seamless as possible.
