Slack
Slack is a digital workplace that connects you to colleagues, external partners and systems, allowing you to feel connected no matter where you are working from.
We use an Enterprise Grid version of Slack, which means we have access to more features and control of specific settings that we can set for the organisation.
Key features
- Direct message colleagues to avoid unnecessary emails.
- Create channels for departments, projects or topics and reduce email chains. These provide everyone with a shared view into the work being done, so teams can stay in sync and new members have full context when they join.
- Use collaborative features like @mentions, threaded conversations, and reactions.
- Integrate your other tools such as Google Calendar to automatically set your availability, for example if you’re in a meeting or out of office.
- Set automated reminders.
- Create to-do lists.
- Start an audio or video call in direct messages or channels.
- A mobile app is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Access instructions
Use the desktop app for the best experience.
- For University managed devices, you can install the Slack desktop app from the Software Center (Windows) and Self Service (Mac).
- For other devices, download and install Slack for Windows or Slack for Mac.
- You can also use the Slack web app.
To sign in:
- Enter the Grid URL: uoy.enterprise.slack.com (if using the web app, open the link instead).
- Sign in with Google. If not already logged in, you’ll be prompted for your University email address and password.
Additional information
Who can use Slack?
- University staff with ResourceLink records and postgraduate students are automatically given a Slack account when they join the University.
- Other University members of staff (associate/temp pool) are potentially eligible for a full Slack account.
- External collaborators and organisations can join us in Slack through Slack Connect.
- Undergraduate students can be invited as a guest.
For more information on access, see how users get access to Slack.
Public vs private channels
Public channels promote open and transparent communication within workspaces and are encouraged where appropriate. They make it easier to find information, ask questions, submit ideas and participate in discussions.
- Public channels can be viewed or joined by any member of the workspace that channel has been created in, so you should ensure you are happy for the content to be seen.
- Public channels have a # next to the channel name.
Private channels should be used for discussions that should not be visible to all members of a workspace, for example team-specific chat or finance or legal matters.
- Members of private channels have to be added directly by someone already part of that channel.
- Private channels have a lock icon next to the channel name.