Marketing and communications in higher education 2022

Room: Woburn Hall

• Michael Thompson, Interim Director of Communications, Universities UK

• Tom Goodenough, Online Editor, The Spectator

• Holly Wicks, Client Development Director, Britainthinks
• Dr Ben Bleasdale, Director of the Discovery Decade, Campaign for Science and Engineering
• Tom Goodenough, Online Editor, The Spectator

Levels of public positivity towards universities have been affected by the gloomy mood of the nation in this troubled economic environment and have declined slightly in recent years with more of the public now reserving judgement on how they feel about UK universities. This session will discuss how we can better make its case for public and political support.

• Sabahat Khan, President, Sheffield Hallam Students’ Union
• Dr Simon Merrywest, Director for the Student Experience, University of Manchester

Financial pressures and difficulties are known to impact students’ studies and their wellbeing, therefore supporting students in the context of the rising cost of living is a key priority for institutions across the country. The impact will also be felt by staff members and support is needed in a way that may not have been needed before. This session will discuss how support is communicated and absorbed and ensuring that our university communities are aware of the support being offered.

Room: Tavistock

Choose one to attend. Breakout sessions are not available to online delegates. 

Room: Foster and Bloomsbury

• Dr Helen Jamison, Science Media Centre Global Coordinator, Science Communications Consultant, Science Media Centre
• Claire Whitelaw, Deputy Director and Head of Communications and Engagement, Durham University

• Gavin Ellwood​, Founder, ellwood atfield

• Chair: Susan Simmonds, Interim Senior Communications Advisor, Universities UK

Please note that this session will be following Chatham House Rules. Participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed.

This session examines how the role of in-house press and media officers has evolved over time and why these roles are becoming increasingly harder to fill. With an increasing demand for content creators and a broader skill set, a shifting media landscape and the rise of the social media, how can the sector recruit, support and retain media officers? And how can staff develop their careers to align with marketing and communication recruitment trends?

Room: Woburn Hall

• Nathaniel Hobby, Senior Communications Manager, Bournemouth University
• Michael Lavery, CEO, Brand and Reputation

As the higher education market grows increasingly competitive and each institution has its own unique values and selling points, rebrands are a common activity within the sector. This session takes a look at what it looks like to successfully embed a new brand and why a brand is important to appeal to prospective students and key stakeholders. 

Room: Tavistock

Choose one to attend. Breakout sessions are not available to online delegates. 

Room: Foster and Bloomsbury

• Chris Webb, Director, EPiCC (Emergency Practitioners in Crisis Communication)
• John Bates, Director, EPiCC (Emergency Practitioners in Crisis Communication)
• Kirsty Rollings, Head of Corporate Communications and Marketing, Keele University
• Will Marsh, Deputy Director of Communications, University of Bristol

Universities often find themselves negatively spotlighted on social media and in the press for issues prevalent in our society, such as culture wars debates; generation woke; cost-of-living crisis and equality and diversity issues. In partnership with EPiCC (Emergency Practitioners in Crisis Communication), this session will actively discuss challenges that you are dealing with and strategies to positively manage them. Ahead of the event we will survey delegates to find out what topics you most like to feature in this interactive crisis communications workshop.

Room: Woburn Hall

• Mikki Collins, Digital Content Producer, University of Chichester
• Helen Duckworth, Marketing and Communications Manager, Arts University Bournemouth
• Jay Scott-Nicholls, Creative Director, Circus
• Dr Beth Thomas, Recruitment Marketing Officer, University of St Andrews
• Chair: Louisa Beeby, Web and Digital Communications Manager, Universities UK

Is technology and trends moving faster than universities can keep up with? This session will showcase how technology can be transformative for you to reach your target audiences, keep up with trends and achieve outstanding results.

Room: Tavistock

Room: Woburn Hall

• Michael Thompson, Interim Director of Communications, Universities UK.

• Paul Humphreys, Founder & CEO, StudentCrowd
• Simone Drinkwater, Partnership Lead, UCAS
• Sarah Gowers-Cromie, Chief Community Officer, StudentCrowd
• Tuely Robins, Head of Insight, StudentCrowd

StudentCrowd has cultivated a community where authentic experiences can be shared and gives your institution the opportunity to connect with prospective students via brand advocacy from your current students. It's no surprise that students are searching for authenticity, favouring real voices over adverts and influencers when making decisions on where to study.

During the session we will share insights on how reviews impact student choice, how institutions can turn reviews into conversations, and how best to build reviews into your marketing mix.

• Tess Tinker, Deputy Director, Strategic Communications & Campaigns, Department for Education 

• Dayana Kibilds, Strategy Director, Ologie  
• Will Pike, Disability consultant and advocate
• Lanvell Blake, Hillary Rodham Clinton Global Challenges Scholar, Swansea University 

Equality, diversion and inclusion (EDI) is a top priority for UK universities. Students want their universities to do better and are campaigning for social justice. Marketing and communication activity is integral to the success of any EDI strategy. This session if focused on how we as marketing and communications professionals can help to drive culture change and a sense of belonging for all in our university communities.

Room: Woburn House Foyer