Future leaders in university reputation spent an intensive week in Cambridge learning about the latest issues and trends from directors of communications, marketing and international at World 100 Reputation Network member universities.
The third annual W100 Reputation Academy took place at Churchill College, Cambridge between 21-25 May, with participants from universities in Asia, Australia, North America, Europe and the UK.
The Academy provides training for the next generation of leaders in world-class universities focused on reputation, with subjects ranging from strategy & brand development, stakeholder management and structures & resources, to crisis communications, promoting research and international partnerships.
Participants also get to put their learning into practice with group project work focused on developing communications and marketing strategies, which were assessed at the end of the week by a panel including David Estok, Vice President Communications at University of Toronto, and Andrea Farquhar, Assistant Vice president, Communications & Public Affairs at McMaster University.
Other Academy tutors included Alan Ferns, Associate Vice-President External Relations & Reputation at the University of Manchester; Abi Kelly, Executive Director of Corporate Affairs at Newcastle University and Eilis O’Brien, Director of Marketing & Communications at UCD.
The International mobility and partnership sessions were delivered by Hilary Layton from the University of York and Paul Bolt from the University of Groningen. All the tutors are active members of the World 100 Reputation Network, formed more than 10 years ago to bring together senior leaders in university reputation.
Feedback from participants was strong, describing the week as ‘very special and different’ and ‘great for looking at communications holistically rather than tactically’. They join a growing community of W100 Academicians, a network of colleagues across the globe now putting theory into practice in their own institutions.
The Academy, with a focus on small group teaching, gives priority to members of the W100 Reputation Network, but non-members can book places if space permits. Dates for the next Academy (May 2019) are yet to be finalised but you can register your interest with sarah.thomas@www.theworld100.com.