Communications team

Job title	Name	Email address	Telephone
Director of Communications	Rachel Barson	rachel.barson@york.ac.uk	+44 (0)1904 324462
Administrator	Caroline Drury	caroline.drury@york.ac.uk	+44 (0)1904 323424

Our teams

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

Team lead: Post vacant

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

Team lead: Post vacant until August 2024 (maternity leave)

Content strategy, quality assurance and governance for the University website
Content design and production
Communications support for the University community, including delivery of website updates, digital signage updates and more as via communications-support@york.ac.uk or the website update request form
Publishing support and advice for the University, including training on the Web CMS

Team lead: Paul Kelly, Digital Platforms and Developments Manager (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

Head of Research Communications: Sarah Heathwood (sarah.heathwood@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

Head of Internal Communications and Engagement: Deb Ward

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

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	Portia Hewitt	portia.hewitt@york.ac.uk	+44 (0)1904 324123
Events Officer	Suzanne Thorn	suzanne.thorn@york.ac.uk	+44 (0)1904 324123
Assistant Events Officer	Hannah Francis	hannah.francis@york.ac.uk	+44 (0)1904 324298
Events Marketing Officer	Sue Bennett	sue.bennett@york.ac.uk	+44 (0)1904 324778
York Festival of Ideas Officer	Vacant

Job title	Name	Email	Telephone
Head of Media Relations	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