Tuesday 23rd April 2024
9:30am - 3:00pm
Virtual Conference
The Student Communications Conference 2024 will explore the latest innovations in delivering impactful, cohesive communications that drive engagement and support the wider student experience across an institution.
Participations will examine fresh insights on building an institution-wide communications framework, working in partnership with students and developing an omni-channel experience that speaks to the evolving needs of students.
The Conference will assess how communication teams can overcome common challenges of low-engagement levels, fragmentation and poor message clarity to support a consistent approach to storytelling across the student lifecycle.
Objectives
Explore fresh perspectives in developing a cohesive, cross-institution approach to student communications
Examine how to develop an impactful omni-channel experience that speaks to students needs
Assess practical solutions on working in partnership with students to place their ideas and stories at the forefront of your campaigns
Analyse how to overcome barriers to engagement and drive improved interaction with university faculties and student services
Headline Speakers
Harvey Atkinson
Head of Student Communications and Campaigns
University of Sussex
Luke Shearing
Head of Student Communications
University of Southampton
Fiona Salvage
Deputy Head of Communications - Students and Staff
Oxford Brookes University
Dr Meaghan Banham
Head of Student Engagement and Communications
Leeds Trinity University
Agenda
9:30 am
Chair’s Welcome Address
Luke Shearing
Head of Student Communications
University of Southampton (CONFIRMED)
9:40 am
Why Student Communications Teams Should Think Like Marketers
Exploring the relationship between student communications and cutting-edge marketing practices
Understanding the strategic incorporation of CRM systems into student communication and engagement
Aligning student communications with customer journeys for a seamless and personalized experience
Coordinating a communications approach across various channels
Leveraging data for informed decision-making and optimising communication efforts
Understanding the role of the student voice in refining communication strategies and ensuring resonance with the student body
Dr Meaghan Banham
Head of Student Engagement and Communications
Leeds Trinity University (CONFIRMED)
Rebecca Sagill
Student Communications and Events Manager
Leeds Trinity University (CONFIRMED)
10:20 am
Reimagining the Role of Student Communications in Driving Engagement
How are student expectations on communications evolving and what represents authentic value?
What does meaningful student engagement look like and do we need to re-think the role of communications teams in supporting the student experience?
What are the main barriers to continual engagement and how can institutions break the deadlock on persistent decline in engagement?
How do we optimise our use of communication channels to maximise impact for students?
What does it take to deliver a consistent cross-institution approach to message delivery?
Luke Shearing
Head of Student Communications
University of Southampton (CONFIRMED)
Fiona Salvage
Deputy Head of Communications - Students and Staff
Oxford Brookes University (CONFIRMED)
Chris Whitehead
Communications Lead
University of Surrey (CONFIRMED)
11:10 am
Break and Networking
11:30 am
Making Student Communications REAL: A Troubleshooting Toolkit
A breakdown of the role and importance of effective communication in student success
Gain insights into the research findings on what students want from effective communication in higher education
Learn practical strategies for tailoring communication to diverse student preferences and needs, leading to increased engagement and satisfaction
Explore real-life examples of successful communication initiatives, with tangible impacts on engagement and acquire tools to troubleshoot communication challenges and enhance student communications
Derrick Mensah
Student Experience Officer, Community and Engagement
King’s Business School (CONFIRMED)
12:10 pm
Do You Hear What I Hear? Driving innovation with User-Centred Communications through Partnership with Students
Do students recognise themselves in our communications and how can our messaging and tone best reflect the voice of a diverse student body?
Where can focus groups and direct student involvement in communications deliver real value and what does it take to support meaningful dialogue?
How do we support student needs through the student journey without overwhelming them?
How do we understand ever-changing preferences and interests?
What role should personalisation play and how do we segment our audience?
Liz Wilmshurst
Head of Student Communications
University of Leeds (CONFIRMED)
12:50 pm
Break and Networking
1:30 pm
Compassionate and Supportive Communication: Joining Up Thinking with Student Service Teams
Working with student service teams to understand evolving student risks to student experience and success
Mapping key touchpoints with support teams and evaluating how to maximise interaction
Examining the barriers to communicating with low engagement students and those most at risk of crisis
Exploring approaches to compassionate and supportive communications that equips students with the tools to access help
Harvey Atkinson
Head of Student Communications and Campaigns
University of Sussex (CONFIRMED)
2:15 pm
Cohesive Storytelling Across the Student Lifecyle: How to Build a Coherent Narrative
Fragmentation, repetition and lack of message clarity. Communications teams face mounting pressure to meet diverse communication needs across an institution. So, how do we develop a coherent narrative that actually speaks to the interests of students? This session will explore:
Guidelines and ways of working in a new age of communications
Managing competing demands from faculties, student service teams and leadership
Developing an approach to storytelling that supports a cohesive narrative across the student lifecycle
Forging message discipline, consistency and an institution-wide standard on communication
Christine Comrie
Student Communications Officer
University of York (CONFIRMED)
Conference Close
3:00 pm
* Programme subject to change
Audience
This Conference is designed for all higher education practitioners working in student communications and engagement. Those in attendance will include:
Student Communication Managers
Student Engagement Managers
Student Communication Officers
Directors of Communications and Marketing
Heads of Student Communications
Heads of Student Campaigns
Heads of Social Media and Creative Content
Pricing
Public Sector
£345 + VAT
Attendance to Student Communications 2024
Private Sector
£395 + VAT
Attendance to Student Communications 2024
HE Professional
£395 + VAT
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