It hears papers on 'intelligence', as part of academic 'intelligence studies' and their connections with political science, international relations, and modern history. The main focus is understanding on intelligence's place in the modern world, in the UK and overseas. The Group seeks to have both official and academic speakers, and particularly values papers on foreign intelligence systems and on subjects that link 'intelligence studies' with other academic fields.

The main programme normally combines a late afternoon paper and seminar by a visiting speaker with a dinner and discussion afterwards. The aim is to hold these meetings twice a term. Dinner attendances vary between 15 and 30. Speakers in recent years have included two JIC Chairmen and a Chief of Defence Intelligence, other senior members and ex-members of British and foreign intelligence organizations, MPs and others with particular intelligence connections, and distinguished intelligence scholars.

Occasional small afternoon meetings are also held in term-time on more specialised topics, often to present recent research on subjects of intelligence history. An important activity of the Group is also to hold a one day 'expert' workshop each year on a subject of particular interest. Since these began the subjects have been Intelligence and the Media (jointly with the Reuters Foundation), Intelligence and Ethics (including a presentation on interrogation), and a Reassessment of Bletchley Park's Wartime Contributions and Current Lessons.

Here is a selection of programmes from previous events:

  • Michaelmas Term 2024: Dr Dan Lomas on 'Licence to operate? Public trust, knowledge and the UK intelligence community'
  • Hilary Term 2025: Ruaridh Arrow on 'Open Source Intelligence, Speed and Deception - Lessons from 24hr News'
  • Hilary Term 2025 part 2: Marcel Schliebs on 'Western Democracies under Hybrid Attack – The case of the Russian Doppelgänger and Storm-1516 Disinformation Campaigns'
  • Trinity Term 2025: Martin Parsons on 'We get what we are given'

Attendance is by invitation, but the net is cast quite widely. Those attending include current senior university members and students, retired practitioners and other government officials, and officials and academics from London and elsewhere. Speakers' expenses are reimbursed and overnight accommodation can be provided.

The Oxford Intelligence Group originated in a series of small seminars convened by Michael Herman at Nuffield College following his retirement from government service in 1987. Building off a successful international conference on intelligence in 1999, seminars continued at St Antony's College, meeting there for a three-year programme financed by a generous benefactor. After a subsequent year at Rhodes House, Gwilym Hughes and Michael Herman formally instituted the group at Nuffield College, naming it the OIG for the first time in 2005. 

The Director since the OIG's foundation has been Gwilym Hughes, Emeritus Fellow of Nuffield College. Michael Herman was Founder Director and active member of the OIG until his death in 2021. The Steering Committee includes an external Chair, a post held by Dennis Trevelyan, Principal of Mansfield College (2005-2012); David King, of Worcester College and the IISS (2012-2025); and, since 2025, Claire Smith, formerly of the FCDO.