Communications workshops
Are you responsible for communications in your department, faculty or college? Would you like to find out more about best practice and share ideas with colleagues? These lunchtime sessions are free of charge (unless otherwise indicated). Tea and coffee will be available and you are welcome to bring your own lunch.
Michaelmas Term 2013
Introduction to the Public Affairs Directorate
Wednesday 6 November 2013
An introduction to the teams within the Public Affairs Directorate and the services we offer, including the Design & Publications Office, the Digital Communications Office, the Events Office, the Press & Information Office and the Public Affairs Office (comprising strategic communications, internal communications and government and community relations). This introductory session is aimed at new members of staff working in communications, but everyone is welcome. To book a place, please email carolyne.culver@admin.ox.ac.uk.
Copywriting
Monday 4 November and Tuesday 12 November 2013 - fully booked (please contact us if you would like to be on the waiting list)
Both workshops are now fully booked, but if you would like to be placed on the waiting list in the eventuality that places become available, please contact carolyne.culver@admin.ox.ac.uk. Please note that there is a charge to attend this session as it will be given by an external trainer.
Working with film companies
Wednesday 16 October 2013 - fully booked (please contact us if you would like to be on the waiting list)
Location Oxfordshire and the Media Production Unit will be available to advise you and answer your questions about dealing with film companies, either when you commission them to do work, or they approach you to film on your premises. This will include negotiating a price, contracts, insurance, and so on. 20 places are available. If you are interested, please contact carolyne.culver@admin.ox.ac.uk
Drupal: how to maximise the benefits
Date to be confirmed
We are exploring the possibility of running a practical workshop about Drupal. If you are using Drupal already or considering using it, this workshop would demonstrate how to get the most out of this content management system. Please note that there will be a charge for this session, but the more people who sign up, the lower the cost per head will be. If you are interested, please contact carolyne.culver@admin.ox.ac.uk.
Previous workshops
Communications strategy practical workshop
Took place on 21 May and 29 May 2013
This interactive workshop provided an opportunity to share ideas and discuss the challenges we face in small groups.
Writing a communications strategy (2300 kb) ![[ppt]](http://www.ox.ac.uk/display_images/document_icons/ppt.gif){kind=icon}
Crisis communications
Took place on 23 May 2013
Ruth Collier, Head of the Press & Information Office, and Susannah Wintersgill, Head of International Communications, shared advice about communicating effectively in a crisis, from reputation management to managing communications for local incidents.
Crisis communications workshop (23 May 2013) (5144 kb) Crisis communications guidance (97 kb) ![[pdf]](http://www.ox.ac.uk/display_images/document_icons/pdf.gif){kind=icon}
How do you know if you’re doing it right? Evaluating social media impact
Took place on 6 June 2013
As social media’s place in our communications strategies grows, it is important that we are able to measure the impact of what we do online. This workshop will explore various tools and strategies for evaluating and reporting on social media impact and connecting it to your organisational goals and strategy. Liz McCarthy, Communications and Social Media Officer from the Bodleian Libraries, will deliver this workshop.
Evaluating social media impact.ppsx (6205 kb)
Previous workshops
'We've got digital marketing covered: we've got a Facebook page!'
Took place on 26 February and 7 March 2013
For many, digital marketing activity has crept up on us and suddenly we’re expected to engage with our prospective students through the scary world of social media. However, having a University Facebook page or Twitter feed does not mean we are successful at engaging with a digital audience. Some of the best social campaigns are fully integrated both online and offline, engage with a targeted audience and prove a measurable return on investment. This workshop, which was run by Lizzie Burrows, Student Recruitment Officer in the Admissions Office, discussed good (and not so good!) examples of this, with some tips for your own campaigns. It is aimed at colleagues who have recently been given digital marketing as part of their remit or are interested in innovative ways to connect with prospective students.
We've got digital marketing covered.pptx (4338 kb)
Introduction to the Chartered Institute of Public Relations
Took place on 14 March 2013
Jessica Molloy, Membership Development Manager at the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, spoke about the benefits of CIPR membership, the regional and education sector groups that you can join, courses and live webinars, and qualifications including certificates and diplomas.
Can you change the world through university communications? Approaches to turning your work into funding and impact
Took place on 20 March 2013
Rob McNeil, Senior Manager at the Migration Observatory, discussed effective ways to use communications tools to deliver change, using examples from his work here at Oxford, and from NGOs in the UK and America. The discussion looked at the planning, development, delivery and evaluation processes for several projects and considered what made them succeed or not, and how to apply those lessons more broadly in the academic context.
Web development: best practice in audience research
Took place on 22 November 2012
Paul Gill from digital agency Torchbox discussed best practice in engaging audiences when developing websites. Consulting audiences is key to creating and developing effective and popular websites. Torchbox has worked closely with the University for a number of years.
Ten user research techniques for the web.pdf (2056 kb)
Top tips for shooting video (hands-on class)
Took place on 14 November 2012
Online Media Producer Tom Wilkinson ran a practical session aimed specifically at those who want to get behind the camera. It offered tips for shooting video, with a strong hands-on emphasis.
Video workshop notes - framing and camera (94 kb)
Video workshop notes - sound (98 kb)
Crisis communications
Took place on 8 November 2012
Ruth Collier, Head of the Press & Information Office, and Susannah Wintersgill, Head of International Communications, shared advice about communicating effectively in a crisis, from reputation management to managing communications for local incidents.
Crisis comms workshop (8 Nov 2012) (3243 kb)
Communications strategy: interactive workshops
Took place on 17 and 24 October 2012
Following feedback from last year's 'Writing a communications strategy' workshops, we ran two interactive sessions where colleagues were given practical exercises to discuss in small groups. It was an opportunity to discuss the challenges we face and share ideas.
Making (good) video for the web
Took place on 9 May 2012
Tom Wilkinson, our Online Media Producer, discussed the benefits of using online video in your communications, offered practical tips about what works well and what doesn't, and explained what advice and services are available within the collegiate University to support you in this area of work. Presentation followed by a Q&A.
Making (good) video for the web presentation
Making the most effective use of design and images
Anne Brunner-Ellis, Head of Publications and Web, and her colleagues Paul Chinn (design) and Jo Kay (picture research) explained how to make the most of the new Design Studio and online image library.
EffectiveDesignTheBrief.pdf (390 kb)
Making effective use of images
Marketing communications: in print, online and mobile
Took place on 24 May 2012
This workshop by ebxp, a creative brand and marketing agency, covered the need for message and brand consistency across communications channels and looked at how social media can be used effectively to attract applicants, assist students when they are studying, collaborate with research partners, and engage with alumni.
Writing a communications strategy
Took place on 19 June 2012
A communications strategy is an invaluable means of clearly identifying your objectives, audiences, tactics, timescales, and ultimately how you’re going to measure your success. It is essential for major projects, but also a useful means of reassessing ongoing work and identifying any changes that need to be made.
Writing a communications strategy (2300 kb)
Public affairs campaigning
Took place on 15 February 2012
Richard Jarman, Head of Government and Community Relations, discussed how to influence decisions either locally or in Whitehall and Westminster: from gaining the understanding and support of local councillors for a planning application to getting your messages heard by government ministers and parliamentarians.
Public Affairs Campaigning.pptx (3457 kb) ![[pptx]](http://www.ox.ac.uk/display_images/document_icons/pptx.gif){kind=icon}
Top tips for improving your website
Took place on 20 and 28 February 2012
Christopher Eddie and Stephen Sangar from our web team provided top tips for improving your website. There was a short presentation followed by a Q&A and discussion to allow people to ask questions, share experiences, and propose solutions to common concerns.
Top tips for improving your website (7153 kb)
An introduction to media relations
Took place on 9 March 2012
Ruth Collier, Head of the Press and Information Office, explained what the Press and Information Office does and how it can help you, as well as introducing the basics of media relations from issuing a news release to responding to a crisis.
Change communications
Took place on 22 November 2011
Susannah Wintersgill, Head of Internal Communications, shared best practice in planning communications around major change.
Change communications workshop (22.11.11) (753 kb)
Search engine optimisation
Took place on 30 November 2011
Stephen Sangar from our web team provided top tips for how web pages can be tweaked for better search engine optimization, and used London 2012 as a topical example.
The session covered: keyword research, keyword placement, content, links and ‘paid’ keyword matches.
Powerpoint presentation slides: SEO - PAD workshop (5227kb)
Writing a communications strategy
Took place on 26 October and 7 December 2011
A communications strategy is an invaluable means of clearly identifying your objectives, audiences, tactics, timescales, and ultimately how you’re going to measure your success. It is essential for major projects, but also a useful means of reassessing ongoing work and identifying any changes that need to be made.
Writing a communications strategy (2300 kb)
For further information about Public Affairs workshops, please contact Carolyne Culver