# Communications team
**Source**: https://www.york.ac.uk/about/departments/support-and-admin/reputation-economic-development-advocacy/communications/ourstaff/
**Parent**: https://www.york.ac.uk/about/departments/support-and-admin/reputation-economic-development-advocacy/communications/
## Our teams
- [Digital and Creative Services](#digital-creative-services)
- [Research Communications](#research-communications)
- [Internal Communications](#internal-communications)
- [Media Relations](#media-relations)
- [Events](#events)
## Director
**Director of Communications:** Rachel Barson ([rachel.barson@york.ac.uk](mailto:rachel.barson@york.ac.uk))
## Digital and Creative Services
**Head of Digital and Creative Services**: Dan Wiggle([dan.wiggle@york.ac.uk](mailto:dan.wiggle@york.ac.uk))
Team contact email: [communications-support@york.ac.uk](mailto:communications-support@york.ac.uk)
### Brand and Creative Services
**Brand and Creative Manager**: Alice Mannix ([alice.mannix@york.ac.uk](mailto:alice.mannix@york.ac.uk))
Team responsibilities:
- University brand development, asset management and advice
- Management of the University's [brand platform](https://brand.york.ac.uk/) 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
- Communications support for the University community, including delivery of website updates, digital signage updates and more as via [communications-support@york.ac.uk](mailto:communications-support@york.ac.uk) or the [website update request form](https://www.york.ac.uk/staff/essentials/communications-marketing-brand/web-digital/web-request/)
- Publishing support and advice for the University, including training on the Web CMS
### Digital Platforms and User Experience
**Digital Platforms and Developments Manager**: Paul Kelly ([paul.kelly@york.ac.uk](mailto: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](mailto: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](mailto:deb.ward@york.ac.uk))
Team contact email: [communications-support@york.ac.uk](mailto: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](mailto:alistair.keely@york.ac.uk) | +44 (0)7795 315029 |
| **Deputy Head of Media Relations (job share)** | Samantha Martin | [s.martin@york.ac.uk](mailto:s.martin@york.ac.uk) | +44 (0)7384 238 979 |
| **Deputy Head of Media Relations (job share)** | Shelley Hughes | [shelley.hughes@york.ac.uk](mailto: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](mailto:sarah.mitchell@york.ac.uk) | +44 (0)1904 324633 |
| **Events Officer** | Naomi Richards | [naomi.richards@york.ac.uk](mailto:naomi.richards@york.ac.uk) | +44 (0)1904 322064 |
| **Events Officer** | Suzanne Thorn | [suzanne.thorn@york.ac.uk](mailto:suzanne.thorn@york.ac.uk) | +44 (0)1904 324123 |
| **Events Marketing Officer** | Sue Bennett | [sue.bennett@york.ac.uk](mailto:sue.bennett@york.ac.uk) | +44 (0)1904 324778 |
| **York Festival of Ideas Officer** | Caron Lett | [caron.lett@york.ac.uk](mailto:caron.lett@york.ac.uk) | |
## Contact us
- [communications-support@york.ac.uk](mailto:communications-support@york.ac.uk)