Communications team

Our teams

Director

Director of Communications: Rachel Barson (rachel.barson@york.ac.uk)

Digital and Creative Services

Head of Digital and Creative Services: Dan Wiggle (dan.wiggle@york.ac.uk)

Team contact email: communications-support@york.ac.uk 

Brand and Creative Services

Brand and Creative Manager: Alice Mannix (alice.mannix@york.ac.uk)

Team responsibilities:

  • University brand development, asset management and advice
  • Management of the University's brand platform for self-service access to assets, brand guidelines and on-brand templates for print and digital formats
  • Photography and video production for External Relations projects
  • Graphic design and print production for External Relations projects
  • Maintaining a roster of external suppliers for creative projects

Content Design

Team responsibilities:

  • Content strategy, quality assurance and governance for the University website
  • Content design and production

Communications Support

Digital Platforms and User Experience

Digital Platforms and Developments Manager: Paul Kelly (paul.kelly@york.ac.uk)

Team responsibilities:

  • Management of the Web CMS
  • Design and code for Digital Pattern Library website templates and related front-end web development
  • User experience (UX) research and design for core External Relations projects and in collaboration with other teams for other digital projects and platforms
  • Digital communications platforms strategic insight
  • Website search and external search engine optimisation
  • Digital platform analytics

Research Communications

Research team contact email: research-communications@york.ac.uk

Team responsibilities:

  • Leading on the delivery of research communications activities in line with the University strategy and research strategy
  • Building the University’s research reputation, with a focus on research strategy objectives
  • Working closely with colleagues to help maximise the visibility and reach of our research, our teams and what drives our research
  • Developing high quality website and multimedia content in support of research communications
  • Supporting colleagues by leading a Research Communications Network
  • Support the use of The Conversation for increasing reach and visibility of academic and research expertise

Internal Communications

Head of Internal Communications and Engagement: Deb Ward (deb.ward@york.ac.uk)

Team contact email: communications-support@york.ac.uk 

Team responsibilities:

  • Leading on internal communications with staff and students throughout the University, including developing communication campaigns and advising on communications planning
  • Managing central University social media channels and advising on departmental social media
  • Identifying audiences and utilising key communications channels including web, digital screens, staff and student newsletters, email and social media to engage with our internal audiences
  • Providing guidance and advice to colleagues to support their communication needs

Media Relations

Job title Name Email Telephone
Head of Media and Research Communications Alistair Keely alistair.keely@york.ac.uk +44 (0)7795 315029
Deputy Head of Media Relations (job share) Samantha Martin s.martin@york.ac.uk +44 (0)7384 238 979
Deputy Head of Media Relations (job share) Shelley Hughes shelley.hughes@york.ac.uk +44 (0)7384 238992

Events

Job title Name Email Telephone
Head of Events and Deputy Director of York Festival of Ideas Sarah Mitchell sarah.mitchell@york.ac.uk  +44 (0)1904 324633
Events Officer Naomi Richards naomi.richards@york.ac.uk +44 (0)1904 322064
Events Officer  Suzanne Thorn suzanne.thorn@york.ac.uk +44 (0)1904 324123
Events Marketing Officer Sue Bennett +44 (0)1904 324778
York Festival of Ideas Officer Caron Lett caron.lett@york.ac.uk