A Guide to Corporate Communications at the University of Bedfordshire

A GUIDE TO

CORPORATE

COMMUNICATIONS

This booklet is an introduction to corporate communications at the University of Bedfordshire.

AT THE

UNIVERSITY OF BEDFORDSHIRE

The Communications team are committed to bringing our campuses together through our stories, and we look forward to hearing yours.

WELCOME At the University of Bedfordshire, we have a dedicated Corporate Communications team that keeps staff, students, and our community informed about the latest goings on around our campuses.

Our team delivers a programme of activity which builds the brand and profile of the University in line with the vision set out in the strategic plan.

We have many channels of communications that staff can make use of, internally and external of the University.

As a team, our main responsibilities include: • Maintaining relationships with local and national media and getting press coverage of our successes • Central staff and student contact point for advice on communications • Managing various digital and print channels to keep staff and students informed about the latest corporate news, announcements and events • Delivering high-profile events for staff, students, the community and local businesses to attend

• Communicating with stakeholders to keep them informed about the University and opportunities to work together We can help you communicate your latest research, a trailblazing event you’re hosting, or broadcasting information of the latest fundraising activity you’re involved with.

The Communications team are committed to bringing our campuses together through your stories, and we look forward to hearing from you.

This booklet provides an introduction to our communication channels, for more information, be sure to visit the Communications page on the staff intranet: https://in.beds.ac.uk/communications/

From t he

m a e T s m m Co

NEED TO GET IN TOUCH? EMAIL US: InternalCommunications@beds.ac.uk Press.Office@beds.ac.uk Events@beds.ac.uk ExternalRelations@beds.ac.uk

STAFF AND STUDENT COMMUNICATIONS As Internal Communications, we are responsible for sharing information among staff and students to improve the understanding of, and engagement with, the direction and strategy of the University.

We look after a number of channels to keep staff and students updated with the latest news and information. Internal Communications is a two-way conversation, we welcome all staff and student stories, news, events and thoughts. We listen to what you are saying and reflect this in our communications.

We are a platform for you, so be sure to keep us updated.

Our channels include digital signs, Vice Chancellor communications, all staff and all student emails, regular newsletters, and noticeboards.

@beds newsletter

Strategic Leadership Bulletin

Launched in 2015, @beds is Bedfordshire’s digital newsletter produced for staff and is published fortnightly. The newsletter is the go-to publication for all the latest news, events and research stories and celebrates staff and student achievements.

We produce a Strategic Leadership Bulletin which includes business updates and information. Senior Leaders are asked to cascade this information to their teams.

This is an important route of sharing business news and keeping staff up to date.

Vice Chancellor Communications

Noticeboards

Internal Communications supports the Vice Chancellor with communicating business critical information to both staff and students through email. We also produce Vice Chancellor video messages and run staff forums and staff meetings at key points throughout the academic year to recap on events and organisational performance, as well as outline our strategic focus going forward.

Located on the staff intranet homepage is the staff noticeboard.

Here, staff are invited to post any messages – business or social – that they wish to communicate to all staff.

We also coordinate Senior Leadership blogs which we share on in.Beds and in @beds to help raise awareness of what is happening in each business area.

Whether you are running a fundraiser for a select charity, looking to sell items locally, or are running an event which staff are invited to – the in.Beds noticeboard is an essential communication channel within our university.

Digital signs You may have already spotted our digital screens dotted across our campuses.

We manage the content displayed on these screens.

The information screens are located in easily accessible common areas, such as receptions, foyers and restaurants. They are used to communicate important notices and alerts, to keep staff and students informed about University business, and to help publicise and promote University-led activities and events.

University and Beds SU staff can request content to be placed on the digital signs.

Visit our staff intranet, in.Beds, to find out more on how to submit a digital sign request: https://in.beds.ac.uk/communications/ internal/digital-signage/

in.Beds – our staff intranet https://in.beds.ac.uk is our staff intranet.

The website is for all staff members at Bedfordshire, and you can access this on and off of campus.

The staff intranet is your go-to place for essential information. You can search for colleague contact details, stay informed with the latest messages, news and events, as well as the latest from the Vice Chancellor and Executive Group.

Plus, you can also access essential university documents, information, and other useful systems such as Agresso (finance), iTrent (HR), Outlook (email) and our IT and Facilities & Estates helpdesks.

Student Communications We are also responsible for corporate student communications with all current students.

We communicate with them via email, the student portal (https://mybedslife.beds. ac.uk/dashboard/home) and through our website www.beds.ac.uk, as well as a monthly newsletter – The Beds Lowdown.

We can also offer advice and guidance on best practice when communicating with our students.

PRESS OFFICE We manage all contact with local, regional, national and specialist media – print, broadcast and online.

We are the central hub for all things news related at the University and are dedicated to telling Bedfordshire’s stories. We can help you communicate your latest research, a trailblazing event you’re hosting, or help you gain reactive coverage in the news by getting an expert comment to the press.

Press releases

Social media

We research, write and issue all press releases, online stories and features on behalf of the whole university.

You can follow the press team on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date with the latest university news.

This can be proactive, such as issuing press releases, briefing media and writing news stories or features, or reactive, such as handling incoming calls, enquiries and requests for comment.

In order to work successfully, we need staff to keep us informed (about events, achievements, successes, research, new staff members, etc.), so that we can identify newsworthy stories, allocate staff resources and prepare and issue material.

We can access contact information for thousands of media outlets across the whole country and beyond, covering all kinds of print and online publications plus broadcasters. So we can ensure your story reaches the right audiences.

Have you got a story to share? Email us on Press.Office@beds.ac.uk

@uniofbedsnews @uniofbedsnews

In the news We use a monitoring service to provide details of all media coverage relating to the University, whether broadcast, online or in print. This service allows us to search for media articles and to analyse coverage.

Copies of articles can be made available on request.

If you would like to receive regular updates outlining coverage Bedfordshire has received in the news, please email our Media Relations Manager on Press.Office@beds.ac.uk and request to be added to the Media Report distribution list.

CORPORATE EVENTS AND SPONSORSHIP We work to support the University’s strategic plan through the conception, organisation and delivery of high-profile events.

We help to provide an important link between the University and students, staff, alumni and the wider public.

The Events team supports: • Vice Chancellor-led events • Public lectures • Inaugural lectures • Royal visits • Building openings • Awards ceremonies • High-level VIP visits to the University • Beds Talks research lecture series • Staff parties • Staff forums

You’re invited Our corporate events are often open for all staff to attend, alongside students, key stakeholders, local businesses and members of the community. Be sure to stay informed via our various communication channels explored in this booklet to stay up to date with the latest event information.

We are also able to offer assistance and recommendations with regards to event publicity and can advise on specific tools such as Eventbrite and other marketing channels for events.

Sponsorship

Event advice

Here at the University of Bedfordshire we know how important it is to keep giving back to the local community, and sponsorship is a key part of our role as a university.

We are also happy to help and advise you on organising events, to maintain consistency in standard and approach to university events.

We believe in working in partnership with individuals and organisations to develop our student experience and strengthen all community relationships.

We are able to give advice on the following: • Lectures, seminars and workshops • Public engagement activities • Internal networking events • Publicising your event • Advice on services and suppliers to contact

Successful sponsorship is achieved when values and qualities are identified in the local community, businesses and sports clubs being sponsored, are reflective of our mission and objectives.

EXTERNAL RELATIONS We recognise the potential to make a real impact on the communities we are intertwined with – locally, nationally and internationally. At Bedfordshire, we want all those people within our communities to thrive, and we work hard to achieve this.

University Court

Graduations

Bedfordshire’s University Court embodies the University's commitment to consultation and openness and exists to play an important role in ensuring the University is open to our community.

Graduation is a time for celebration and a highlight of the University year. We work hard to ensure graduation days will be an enjoyable occasion for our students, their friends and family and our University staff.

Our University Court brings together those who wish to: • champion and promote the interests and reputation of the University; • understand and support us in expanding and maintaining beneficial links with our community; • act as ambassadors for the University and increase awareness of our achievements, expertise and aspirations; • help us to establish links with employers and organisations to promote and provide opportunities for development, such as internships, volunteering, research and training and development; • support fundraising activities within our University and for specific initiatives and projects.

They are also a great opportunity to showcase our achievements to our wider community and a chance to present Honorary Doctorate Awards which recognise contributions of individuals to a specific field or to society in general, especially to people who have a close connection to our region or the academic areas in which we work.

Buzz@Beds Buzz@Beds is the digital newsletter produced for our external stakeholders. Published quarterly, the newsletter is the go-to publication for all the latest news, events and research stories and celebrates the University’s achievements and successes.

GET IN TOUCH: InternalCommunications@beds.ac.uk Press.Office@beds.ac.uk Events@beds.ac.uk ExternalRelations@beds.ac.uk

MORE INFORMATION: https://in.beds.ac.uk/communications/

FOLLOW US: @uniofbedsnews @uniofbedsnews