Programmes technical lead volunteer roles in Birmingham

About this Role:

Time Commitment: Approximately 10-15 hours a week

Engagement Duration: Minimum 3-month commitment (renewable upon mutual agreement)

Schedule: Flexible, with availability for at least one weekly team check-in

Mode of Engagement: Fully remote; virtual collaboration via Slack, and Google Meet

Our Mission

Solution Community's mission is to bridge the gap between skilled professionals and underserved communities by harnessing the power of collaborative volunteerism to drive sustainable social impact. We mobilize talent, technology, and purpose — bringing the best of the professional world to bear on the challenges faced by those who need it most.

Our Vision

Solution Community envisions a world where every community has access to the talent, technology, and tools needed to thrive — powered by a global network of purpose-driven professionals. We aspire to a future in which geography, resources, or institutional capacity are no longer barriers to excellence, and where skilled volunteerism is recognized as a cornerstone of sustainable community development.

Role Overview

The Lead Automation Analyst is a strategic volunteer role within Solution Community's Technology & Innovation team. In this capacity, the successful volunteer will lead efforts to identify, design, and implement automation solutions that streamline internal processes and meaningfully enhance operational efficiency for both Solution Community and its network of partner organizations. This is a leadership-level engagement that calls for a practitioner who can see the big picture while also rolling up their sleeves to architect and deploy practical automation at scale.

Working cross-functionally alongside technology, operations, and program teams, the Lead Automation Analyst will develop and drive intelligent automation strategies using industry-leading platforms and tools, including robotic process automation (RPA), workflow automation systems, and AI-assisted tooling. This volunteer will serve as a trusted advisor, a hands-on builder, and a mentor, shaping how Solution Community leverages technology to amplify its mission and extend its impact across every community it serves.

Key Responsibilities

Automation Strategy & Leadership

· Lead the development of a comprehensive automation roadmap aligned with Solution Community's strategic goals and operational priorities.

· Assess current manual workflows across teams, identifying high-impact opportunities where automation can deliver measurable efficiency gains.

· Define standards, best practices, and governance frameworks to ensure scalable, sustainable automation initiatives.

· Present automation proposals, progress updates, and outcome reports to leadership stakeholders in a clear and compelling manner.

Solution Design & Implementation

· Design, build, and deploy automation solutions using RPA platforms such as UiPath, Power Automate, or Automation Anywhere.

· Develop and configure workflow automation using tools such as Microsoft Power Platform, Zapier, or Make (formerly Integromat).

· Integrate automation solutions with existing systems, databases, and third-party applications to ensure seamless operational continuity.

· Conduct thorough testing, troubleshooting, and quality assurance activities for all automation deployments prior to and following go live.

Team Collaboration & Mentorship

· Collaborate effectively with cross-functional volunteer teams, including IT, data analytics, and program staff, to align automation efforts with broader organizational needs.

· Mentor junior automation volunteers, fostering skill development and building team capacity across the Technology & Innovation group.

· Document automation processes, user guides, and technical specifications to ensure knowledge continuity and ease of handover.

· Participate actively in regular team meetings, sprint reviews, and Solution Community events to maintain alignment and community engagement.

Required Qualifications

· 3+ years of experience in automation, process improvement, or a related technology discipline.

· Proficiency with at least one leading RPA platform (UiPath, Power Automate, Automation Anywhere, or similar).

· Strong understanding of workflow automation principles and integration patterns across enterprise systems.

· Demonstrated experience mapping business processes and translating operational requirements into scalable automation solutions.

· Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with an ability to diagnose process inefficiencies and prescribe effective remedies.

· Strong written and verbal communication skills; proven ability to explain technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

· Experience leveraging AI/ML tools for intelligent automation and decision-support capabilities.

· Familiarity with low-code/no-code platforms, particularly Microsoft Power Platform or Zapier.

· Background in nonprofit, social enterprise, or volunteer-driven environments.

· Relevant RPA certifications, such as UiPath Certified Professional or Microsoft Power Platform certifications.

· Experience working within Agile or Scrum methodologies in a collaborative team environment.

What You'll Gain

· Global collaboration with leaders and strategists from top global companies

· Meaningful impact on global causes and communities

· A vibrant, multicultural team spanning 70+ countries

· A supportive environment rooted in compassion, integrity, innovation, and collaboration

· Flexible work life with full autonomy

· Opportunities for personal and professional growth

· A formal recommendation upon successful completion of your volunteer term.

Job Title: IT Assistant
Location: Remote (UK-based)
Employment Type: 12 hours per week (6 Hours per Day)

About QuilomboUK

We are a Kingston-based social marketing enterprise using creative thinking to build community cohesion.

We aim to attract knowledgeable individuals encouraging different cultures to unite which enables us to share and celebrate essential lessons. 

Partnering with local organisations, we put on programmes of training, workshops and other events that promote unity and tolerance.

We conduct research to support our cause to challenge preconceptions around race and stereotyping. As well as delivering workshops on unconscious bias in the workplace. 

To learn more about our impactful work at Quilombo UK, we encourage you to explore our website and YouTube channel. 

Join us in leading positive change!

About the position

The IT support role is vital to the organisation, as they will have the responsibility for the maintenance of the technical appliances used in the organisation. The IT support will not be required to come in on a weekly basis, but upon request as for when it is needed. The main tasks for the IT support will be reassuring all technical appliances are updates, responding to potential breakdowns and assuring electrical safety. Technical skills are required, in addition to flexibility, as they would need to quickly respond to potential breakdowns etc.

The role provides you with flexibility and autonomy at work. Where necessary, specific training will also be provided to help you develop and grow your skill set.

Main Responsibilities

• Ensure all computers and other electrical equipment is updated.

• Ensure the safety of electrical equipment.

• Respond to breakdowns of electrical equipment.

• Assist in the functions of IT-packages.

General tasks

• Contribute to staff meetings and other internal meetings with views and suggestions etc.

Essential

• IT skills

• Health and Safety of electrical equipment

• Knowledge about different IT-packages

• Has ability to deliver tasks in a timely manner

• Handles difficult situations well

Desirable

• Committed to working with the community with a passion for helping others less fortunate.

• Proficiency in Microsoft and Excel

The Professional Development Programme with Quilombo UK is a 16-week UNPAID opportunity that requires a minimum commitment of 12 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

QUILOMBO UK is dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace environment that values diversity and promotes equality for all employees. As part of our commitment to upholding these principles, we adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Equality Act 2010. We firmly believe in creating a workplace where all individuals are respected and treated fairly. Discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated.

African Development Choices (ADC) is a UK-registered charity on a mission to reduce poverty by empowering communities to make more informed choices in the management of public resources.

ADC’s purpose is to enable communities to independently meet their needs for essential services, such as clean water and safe sanitation, and improve lives in Africa.

At ADC we encourage a working culture of seeking and giving input, showing and taking initiative, and commitment to the organisation and its purpose.

We now have an exciting opportunity for a volunteer Senior AI Agent Architect to join ADC and help build a live prototype of MajiGuard AI.

Main purpose of job:

To lead the technical design and hands-on development of MajiGuard AI, an agentic AI prototype that helps ADC identify underused WASH resources, structure recovery and reallocation cases, and verify that recovered value reaches facility upgrades and operations and maintenance.

Division: Technology / AI Innovation

Department: Product & Engineering

Position reports to: Head of AI Innovation

Direct reports for the position: Volunteer AI engineers, developers and technical contributors

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

• Lead the end-to-end architecture of MajiGuard AI, including the selection and integration of models, agent workflows, orchestration tools, retrieval systems, data structures and human-in-the-loop controls appropriate for a live prototype.

• Translate ADC’s operational goals into practical AI workflows, especially for identifying underused WASH resources, standardising evidence and case preparation, supporting recovery and reallocation decisions, and verifying delivery of value to facility improvements and ongoing operations and maintenance.

• Build and iterate a live prototype using pragmatic, cost-effective tooling, with strong attention to reliability, traceability, security, maintainability and ease of future scaling.

• Design structured inputs, prompts, evaluation criteria and decision logic so that outputs are useful to non-technical ADC teams working across programmes, research, partnerships and leadership.

• Establish a technical roadmap for the prototype, including architecture choices, milestone planning, testing priorities, deployment options and documentation for future funders, partners and developers.

• Work closely with ADC leadership to shape the product vision and ensure the prototype aligns with ADC’s wider governance and public service innovation model.

• Advise on suitable approaches for data governance, privacy, model risk, hallucination control, auditability and responsible AI use in the context of public-resource management and service delivery.

• Define and monitor prototype success metrics, including usefulness, accuracy, turnaround time, workflow fit, and operational learning that can strengthen grant applications, partnerships and future product development.

• Support the transition from local experimentation to a live prototype environment, including basic cloud or hosted deployment thinking, version control practices and engineering handover readiness.

• Mentor and coordinate other volunteer technical contributors where relevant, helping ADC build a small but high-quality AI capability around MajiGuard AI.

Knowledge, skills, and experience:

Essential

• 8+ years of relevant experience in AI, machine learning, applied NLP, intelligent automation, agentic systems, or modern software engineering for production-grade data or AI products

• Strong hands-on experience designing and building AI systems, including LLM-based applications, retrieval-augmented generation, agent workflows, orchestration frameworks, evaluation pipelines and API integrations

• Experience taking ideas from concept or prototype stage into a usable live product, pilot or production-like environment

• Excellent technical judgement on model selection, system design trade-offs, latency, reliability, observability and cost-conscious engineering

• Strong programming ability, ideally including Python and modern backend tooling, with the ability to work across architecture, implementation and troubleshooting

• Experience designing structured workflows where AI outputs must be reviewable, auditable and useful for operational decision-making
• Ability to simplify complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders and translate mission goals into practical product choices
• Interest in using AI to strengthen public service delivery, accountability, governance, resource allocation, or adjacent social impact problems
• Ability to actively take initiative and help set things up in a start-up environment
• Ability to actively seek and give input in a collaborative team environment
• A committed team player with good communication skills
• Available to volunteer at least 8-12 hours a week

Desirable

• Experience with agentic AI products involving workflow automation, task routing, multi-step reasoning, document intelligence or evidence-based case management
• Experience with cloud deployment, containerisation, CI/CD, databases, vector stores, authentication and production monitoring for AI systems
• Experience working on civic tech, govtech, development, WASH, infrastructure, audit, compliance or public-finance-related products
• Experience working in an early-stage start-up or mission-driven organisation and comfortable operating with ambiguity
• Experience mentoring engineers or leading small technical teams across different locations and time zones

What ADC Offers You

This is a volunteer, remote and unpaid position with the following benefits:

• A chance to play a foundational role in shaping MajiGuard AI from concept into a live prototype with real strategic relevance to ADC’s mission
• An opportunity to apply advanced AI and product-building skills to a meaningful public-interest challenge connected to WASH, accountability and service delivery in Africa
• An opportunity to work with a diverse global team and contribute to an organisation seeking systemic social change
• Professional learning, leadership and portfolio-building opportunities through high-ownership work
• Work reference provided

This job description is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, incorporating a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved.

Here at African Development Choices, we celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our teams are made up of people from all over the world and we welcome all applications. If you are disabled or have a long-term health condition, and you require any reasonable adjustments for your application with us, please let us know by contacting recruitment(at)africandevelopmentchoices(dot)org.

About Quilombo UK

Quilombo UK is a social justice organisation dedicated to inspiring individuals to "See, Think, Behave and Speak Differently" about equality, diversity, and inclusion. We create engaging experiences—ranging from our Beyond Bias training to our "Voices for All" podcasts—that raise awareness and empower unheard voices within our diverse communities.

Production plays a critical role in our Professional Development Programme (PDP) and Enhanced Professional Development Programme (ePDP). As Head of Department, you will lead the creation of high-quality media assets that document the learner journey, showcase professional growth, and provide the visual and auditory evidence required to bridge employment gaps for career changers and newcomers to the UK. This is a unique opportunity to deliver tangible community impact by ensuring our participants have the professional media presence needed to tackle discrimination in the job market.

Operations Manager of Department (Production)

The Opportunity

This position offers a significant career step-up, providing experience in managing end-to-end media operations—spanning pre-production planning to post-production delivery—within a social justice framework. In this Operation Manager capacity, you will gain the leadership credentials and strategic oversight necessary to advance your professional trajectory while ensuring our storytelling is technically seamless and emotionally resonant.

Role Purpose

The Operations Manager of Department (Production) sits between Directors and Managers, turning high-level media objectives (such as podcasts, documentaries, or training videos) into clear, deliverable department plans. You own the direction, technical structure, and delivery control of the Production department to ensure pace, reliability, and high-quality output.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning: Turning Director objectives into practical production schedules, covering both pre-production (storyboarding, scripting, logistics) and post-production (editing, sound design, colour grading).

• Manager Leadership: Coaching Production Managers to run projects effectively, ensuring all media assets are tracked and visible in MeisterTask.

• Assurance & Rework Control: Reducing technical rework by improving initial brief clarity and ensuring time is built into plans for iterative reviews.

• Director Reporting: Providing weekly reports on production milestones, WIP, and technical risks, offering clear recommendations for strategic choices.

• Culture & Standards: Ensuring the department aligns with Quilombo UK’s communication standards and maintains a professional environment for all contributors.

Additional Professional Benefits

• Career Development: A full CV and profile review conducted by our Talent Acquisition and Learning & Development teams.

• Operational Support: Access to the services of the Legal, HR, PR, and Graphic Design teams for up to 10 hours per month for professional or departmental support.

• Proactive Recruitment: Use of the Talent Acquisition team to actively search out new roles and opportunities via industry portals and LinkedIn.

Financial Incentives: Profit Sharing & Commission

• Project Commission: To recognise the transition toward paid work, a commission structure is in place for any paid work carried out.

• Head of Department Share: The Ops Mgr receives a 15% share of the commission for work carried out. This percentage is shared between all individuals at the Ops Mgr level working on a specific task.

• Business Development Bonus: If work is brought in by the Ops Mgr (rather than a Quilombo UK director), the Ops Mgr will receive an additional 10% commission on top of their standard share.

• Payment Terms: Commission is paid upon project completion and after payment is received from the client.

Requirements

• Proven experience in media production management (Pre and Post Production).

• A portfolio of video, audio, or multimedia projects / CV.

• Familiarity with production software (such as Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, Audition, or DaVinci Resolve).

• Flexibility and openness to work on a variety of tasks across different media formats.

• Focused, organised, and able to prioritise and execute production workflows independently.

• To show professionalism at all levels and in all environments.

• Strong team player with a focus on collaborative storytelling.

• A keen eye for technical detail and aesthetic consistency.

• Excellent communication skills.

• Degree in Media Production, Film, or a related field is a plus.

• This is a 100% remote-only position.

Desirable

• Committed to working with the community with a passion for helping others less fortunate.

Selection Process

• Informal interview.

• Requirement of two professional references.

Position: Volunteer Database Administrator (Salesforce).

Location: Remote, with a minimum of 3-4 hours of overlap with UK working hours.

Estimated time: A minimum of 8 hours a month (Flexible schedule to suit your availability).

Expected duration: Ability to commit to a minimum of six months is preferred.

About us

We are the Global Network of Civil Society Organisations for Disaster Reduction (GNDR), the largest global network of organisations committed to working together to improve the lives of people affected by disasters worldwide. Established in 2007, we have grown into a network of more than 2,000 member organisations across 130+ countries, representing millions of people on the frontlines of hazards, climate change and mass displacement. Through transformative, evidence-led programming and powerful advocacy, we are driving climate action and disaster resilience alongside our members across the globe.

Our vision

A world in which everyone works together to strengthen the resilience of people most at risk and prevent hazards from becoming disasters.

Our values

1. Trust and openness to listen, share and learn
2. Transparency and mutual accountability
3. Equity and respect for diverse identities, needs and perspectives.

Purpose of these volunteer roles

We are seeking 2–3 enthusiastic volunteers to help us clear a backlog of membership applications, process new applications, and maintain, manage, and optimise our Salesforce platform. To meet our needs, we are recruiting for two distinct volunteering roles based on level of Salesforce expertise:

Role 1: Data Entry & administration – Perfect for individuals looking to gain hands-on database experience, or those who are passionate about data accuracy and enjoy structured, routine administrative tasks. You will focus on day-to-day data entry, updating member records, and maintaining high data accuracy.

Role 2: Salesforce optimisation & reports (experienced Salesforce specialist) – Designed for individuals with extensive Salesforce expertise. You will focus on building custom reports, creating dashboards, and optimising system workflows to improve efficiency.

Both roles are essential for ensuring our membership data is up-to-date and accurate, GNDR gets the most out of our Salesforce platform, and our global communications are impactful, targeted and relevant to our members.

What you will be doing

Data Entry & Administration:

• Process a backlog of existing membership applications and handle new member applications, ensuring details are accurately entered into Salesforce
• Assist in managing member groups, mailing lists, and automated workflows
• Monitor and maintain the data quality and integrity of member records
• Work with the Membership Engagement Coordinator and Regional Leads on membership administration and work plans
• Provide first-level support to internal users (e.g. fixing minor issues, updating records and correcting errors).

Salesforce Optimisation & Reports for Salesforce Experienced Volunteers:

• Work with the Membership Engagement Coordinator, Regional Leads, ED and consultant on optimising our use of the platform
• Create and customise reports and dashboards to track membership growth, event attendance, and member engagement
• Suggest and implement system and workflow improvements and optimise Salesforce use.

What we are looking for

• Communication skills: Ability to explain technical processes to non-technical team members
• Attention to detail: High level of accuracy with a commitment to data quality and integrity
• Technical expertise: Confidence working with Google Workspace, spreadsheets and databases
• Data security: Ensure compliance with data protection, confidentiality, and cyber security best practice
• Remote work set-up: Access to a reliable internet connection and to an up-to-date laptop or computer
• For Salesforce optimisation & reports: Prior extensive hands-on experience working with Salesforce. Salesforce certification is highly desirable.

What’s in it for you

• You will join a small and supportive team whose impact reaches across the world
• Gain practical experience managing a global database for the leading international network in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)
• Build your Salesforce expertise with real-world use cases relevant to your level of expertise
• Make a real difference by ensuring our network’s data is reliable. Your work will help us accurately represent and connect our 2,000+ members
• You will receive an insightful induction into GNDR’s work, training to carry out your volunteer role and ongoing support from the GNDR team
• Be part of a passionate and diverse global team.

Application process

Please click on "Redirect to Recruiter" to head to our website for instructions on how to apply.

Closing date: Open until filled. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis; please apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on this opportunity to contribute to our global mission.

Apply to join the DISC founding pilot program - Becuase your safeguarding team needs better intelligence

We support safeguarding teams to identify emerging online harms, social media threats and exploitation risks through digital threat intelligence.

DISC is looking for safeguarding professionals who already understand the challenges they face and want real analytical support to help protect children and young people. Through practical intelligence, early warning insight and a direct voice in shaping a new national digital threat intelligence professional network, founding members will help strengthen how safeguarding teams respond to fast moving online risks.

• < Direct Access > to practical tools designed by PhD Crime Science researchers for safeguarding professionals, including platform risk tracking, trend monitoring, URL checks, username analysis and safeguarding intelligence resources.

We are now inviting a small group of founding members to join the DISC pilot project. This is a voluntary, free pilot opportunity designed for designated Safeguarding Leads, Deputy DSLs, safeguarding governors, other professionals working directly in child protection or safeguarding.

We are particularly keen to hear from safeguarding professionals who are dealing with the realities of online risk in schools, youth settings, charities, academies, trusts or community organisations. You do not need to be a technical or digital expert. What matters is your safeguarding experience, your understanding of children and young people, and your willingness to help build something useful, ethical and thats genuinely crime prevention focused.

As a founding member, you will receive access to DISC pilot services and help shape what the service becomes. Your experience, feedback and professional judgement will directly influence the tools, briefings and intelligence support we develop for safeguarding teams across the UK.

Digital Intelligence & Safeguarding Centre started as a UCL, University of London based social venture supporting schools, charities and youth organisations with digital safeguarding intelligence. We help safeguarding teams make sense of online harms, social media risks, harmful trends, platform threats, online offenders and emerging digital behaviours that may affect children and young people.

This pilot is about partnership and community. DISC resources are designed to support, not replace, existing safeguarding policies, DSL decision, making or statutory responsibilities. Final safeguarding decisions remain with your organisation. Our role is to strengthen your awareness, improve your access to digital threat intelligence and help you respond earlier to emerging online risks.

This is a founding member opportunity! Participation is voluntary, free of charge and there is no obligation to continue after the pilot. Founding members will be recognised as early adopters and expert contributors to the DISC intelligence network and will have a direct say in how the service develops. If you are a safeguarding professional who wants better intelligence on online harms, stronger support for digital safeguarding decisions and the chance to help shape a new crime prevention focused service, we would be very pleased to hear from you.

During the pilot, founding members will receive:

• Weekly Threat Briefing on online risks, social media harms, and digital safeguarding trends
• Access to our crime analyst’s intelligence reports, platform alerts and threat assessments
• The opportunity to submit digital safeguarding tasking requests to the DISC Threat Desk
• Beta access to the DISC members dashboard and digital intelligence toolkit
• Successful applicants must attend the initial onboarding training session

                                                               Ready for real threat intelligence?

About Quilombo UK

Quilombo UK is a social justice organisation dedicated to inspiring individuals to "See, Think, Behave and Speak Differently" about equality, diversity, and inclusion. We create engaging experiences—ranging from our Beyond Bias training to our "Voices for All" podcasts—that raise awareness and empower unheard voices within our diverse communities.

While we host the Professional Development Programme (PDP) to support career changers and newcomers to the UK, the Bid Writing department operates as a core strategic function focused on the long-term financial sustainability and growth of the organisation's mission. This role is essential for securing the resources required to tackle discrimination and support equality across all our platforms.

Operations Manager of Department (Bid Writing)

The Opportunity

This position offers a significant career step-up, providing experience in managing high-stakes fundraising and income-generation strategies within a social justice framework. In this Operations Manager capacity, you will gain the leadership credentials and strategic oversight necessary to advance your professional trajectory while ensuring the financial sustainability of our mission to empower unheard voices.

Role Purpose

The Operations Manager of Department (Bid Writing) sits between Directors and Managers, turning high-level income-generation goals into a clear, deliverable bid-submission pipeline. You own the direction, research structure, and delivery control of the department to ensure that all grant applications, tenders, and funding proposals are submitted with high quality, accuracy, and pace.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Pipeline Planning: Turning Director funding objectives into a practical calendar of bid submissions, including research phases, drafting cycles, and submission deadlines.

• Manager Leadership: Coaching Bid Managers to coordinate research and evidence-gathering effectively, ensuring all proposal components are visible in MeisterTask.

• Assurance & Quality Control: Reducing rework by refining the "case for support" and ensuring all bids are proofed against funder requirements before reaching the final sign-off stage.

• Director Reporting: Providing weekly reports on the bid pipeline (submitted, pending, and upcoming), WIP status, and risks to funding timelines.

• Culture & Standards: Ensuring all proposals align with Quilombo UK’s tone, values, and professional communication standards.

Additional Professional Benefits

• Career Development: A full CV and profile review conducted by our Talent Acquisition and Learning & Development teams.

• Operational Support: Access to the services of the Legal, HR, PR, and Graphic Design teams for up to 10 hours per month for professional or departmental support (e.g., legal review of contracts or graphic design for proposal decks).

• Proactive Recruitment: Use of the Talent Acquisition team to actively search out new roles and opportunities via industry portals and LinkedIn.

Requirements

• Proven experience in bid writing, grant applications, or technical writing.

• A portfolio of successful funding bids, tenders, or professional writing samples / CV.

• Familiarity with research methodologies and project management software (such as MeisterTask).

• Flexibility and openness to work on a variety of funding streams (trusts, foundations, and government tenders).

• Focused, organised, and able to prioritise complex tasks under tight deadlines.

• To show professionalism at all levels and in all environments.

• Strong team player with the ability to lead through others.

• Excellent written communication skills with a keen eye for detail.

• Degree in English, Creative Writing, Business, or a related field is a plus.

• This is a 100% remote-only position.

Desirable

• Committed to working with the community with a passion for helping others less fortunate.

Selection Process

• Informal interview.

• Requirement of two professional references.