About THE World 100 Reputation Network
The THE World 100 Reputation Network is the only professional network for reputation managers in the world’s best universities, exploring reputation, communications, strategy, crisis, marketing and international partnerships. Membership is exclusive to institutions ranked in the top 200 of any of the global rankings published by THE, QS, ARWU, US News Best Global Universities Ranking, and THE Reputation Ranking; the top 100 of the THE Young Universities Ranking or the top 100 universities in the THE Impact Ranking.
Now comprising members from all over the world, we believe that our international diversity is one of the reasons members find the Network so valuable.
Although global in outlook the Network offers members the opportunity to become part of a ‘local’ community, existing to share good practice, transfer knowledge and overcome common challenges.
The Network engages in one annual research project that pushes forward the boundaries of knowledge around reputation and helps those in charge of their university’s image to understand it and better amplify it.
Professional development and institutional amplification form part of the value of member gatherings.
The THE World 100 Network gives its members privileged access and exposure at a variety of educational and cultural places.
Formed in 2007
Industry research projects
Universities tracked in the Reputation Tracker
Of members improved their academic reputation scores in the 2021 QS Rankings
“It's the only one [network] that gives me a peer group that I know are equally, if not more, experienced than I am”
Tania Rhodes-Taylor, Executive Director, Communications and External Affairs, King's College London
Membership Eligibility
Membership is per institution, and each university nominates a senior member of staff who will represent his/her institution in the Network. This is typically a director with responsibility for communications, international, marketing, corporate affairs, development or public engagement.
Membership is exclusive to universities in the top 200 of the following world rankings:
Or the top 100 of:
THE World 100 Committee
Andrea Farquhar (Chair)
Andrea leads a team at McMaster that is responsible for strategic reputational management, marketing and media relations, digital media communications, government and community relations, and more.
Jo Kite
Jo is Deputy Director of External Relations at the University of Birmingham and leads on the University’s reputation and engagement activities. She is responsible for three directorates within the External Relations Division: Birmingham Global; Public and Cultural Engagement; and Communications and Reputation.
Santiago Fernández-Gubieda Lacalle
Santiago Fernández-Gubieda Lacalle is the Director of the Reputation Unit at the University of Navarra. As well as this, he is the bursar of the Center of University Governance and Reputation at the University of Navarra.
Johanna Lowe
Jo is Chief Marketing and Communications officer at The University of Sydney. Jo joined the University of Sydney in 2013 to lead the newly centralised marketing function and a refresh of the brand strategy. Jo leads a talented and creative marketing and communications team responsible for building reputation and advocacy with current and future students, parents, alumni, donors, industry, and staff.
Shirley Chong
Shirley Chong joined City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) in 2016 and currently serves as the Director of Communications and Institutional Research (DCIRO). In this role, she plays a pivotal part in shaping the university’s communication and ranking strategies to ensure alignment with its strategic objectives. Ms. Chong holds a Master of Science in Marketing Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences with a major in Communications. She possesses extensive expertise in rankings strategy, both local and international marketing, promoting internationalization, and enhancing the reputations of universities in various contexts. In recognition of her achievements, Ms. Chong was elected as a Visiting Fellow at Lucy Cavendish College, University of Cambridge, in September, 2024. This honor acknowledges her as an accomplished leader who brings a wealth of experience in public relations and marketing to the higher education sector. With her extensive background in public relations and marketing, along with a robust professional network, Ms. Chong significantly contributes to the university's efforts to promote research excellence and build a strong academic reputation. Ms. Chong has served as a member of the QS International Academic Advisory Committee for five years. She is currently an active speaker for the Times Higher Education (THE) conferences, sharing professional advice on public relations and marketing experience to higher education audiences globally. Her strong relationships with QS and the Times Higher Education knowledge and marketing teams greatly enhance the university's performance evaluation processes.
Alan Ferns
Alan Ferns is a communications and marketing professional with a proven track record of building winning teams and translating strategies and goals into distinctive brands and campaigns which produce results. He is an experienced leader and qualified executive coach who led communications during a successful higher education merger and built the brand that has transformed the global reputation of The University of Manchester.
Universities with a clear focus on reputation perform strongly in global university rankings. The THE World 100 Reputation Network aims to provide members with everything they need to improve their place in the rankings. Even when members see a fall in their overall ranking position, we consistently see evidence of the network’s benefits with a high or improved reputation score (notably in the THE & QS tables).
THE World 100 Reputation Network was formed out of its founding company, The Knowledge Partnership (TKP). TKP was acquired by Times Higher Education (THE), in December 2020, one of the world’s best known higher education data companies, with offices in the UK, US, Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Member Access
Being a member of THE World 100 Reputation Network also gives you access to…
- NEWS AND RESOURCES
- EVENTS
- FREE TICKETS
- PRIORITY BOOKING
- MEDIA MONITORING
- MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
- NETWORKING
- RESEARCH
- AND MORE!