Thanks to everyone who took part in the internal communications survey and focus groups.

You said your favourite choices for finding University news were the Staff Homepage, direct email and University Update email. Academic colleagues also said they find posters and Twitter useful, while staff in Estates and ahs often look to their local newsletters for updates.

Overall, you said you want more news on staff benefits, University strategy, training & development and travel information, with less on media coverage. Updates on research, learning & teaching and people news were popular with many of you, but not everyone.

What happens now

In response, you’ll see:

  • more news on staff benefits, wellbeing and how to access services and support

  • more regular updates on our University strategy, such as this one from Professor Jeremy Bradshaw, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International & Doctoral) on our new Internationalisation Strategy

  • a redesign of University Update email

  • an increase in research-focused news on staff Twitter

  • an improved Travel Updates blog you can subscribe to for all your travel-related notices

  • a map of digital signage across campus, with information about whom to contact to get your media displayed

  • the transition of the Staff Homepage to the new website design. We are working with the Digital team to achieve a new, mobile-friendly page which is easy to navigate.

We’ll also explore:

  • a different focus for research and people news, with stories about the individuals behind the stories and a wider choice of media, including podcast and video

  • more coordinated email newsletters and messages for academic colleagues

  • a specific web presence for colleagues in technical and experimental roles

  • a new channel for colleagues with less regular access to PCs

  • more use of print posters in departments.

We’ll also ask you what changes you’ve seen via a quick pulse survey in 12 months’ time.

We’ll be presenting the findings to different groups, so if you’d find it useful to have more detail understanding of what these developments can offer, please get in touch with Ben Harris, Communications Manager.

Would you like to get involved?

We’re also looking into forming an internal communications community of practice to bring together colleagues who have a responsibility for communicating internally. We’ll explore various topics, share best practice, co-ordinate campaigns and offer training and development wherever we can.

If you’d like to know more, please contact Danielle Starling, Internal Communications Officer.