Strategic Communications Directorate
About Us
We advance strategic priorities through leading and coordinating the university's internal and external communications and campaigns. We profile Queen's research, projects and people, upholding and promoting reputation and engaging and informing our community and the wider public through exceptional and inspiring communication, content creation and story-telling.
What we do
The Strategic Communications Directorate has responsibility for:
- Research Communications;
- Media Relations;
- Internal Communications;
- Digital communications;
- Alumni Engagement and Philanthropy communications;
- Belfast Region City Deal communications.
Journalists: Please contact our Media Relations team via email (comms.office@qub.ac.uk) or by telephone (028 9097 3091) to ensure the quickest response to your request. Please be aware that your request may be delayed or re-routed if you use other contact details listed on this page.
Meet the Team
![Eamon Deeny, Director of Strategic Communications, 2024](/home/media/eamon-deeny-2024-800-533-1.jpg)
Eamon has responsibility for all internal, external, insight and digital communications within Queen’s University.
EmailResearch Communications
We play a pivotal role in shaping, managing and promoting research communication across the University’s three faculties. By highlighting the work of our academic experts, our team helps raise the profile and reputation of the University through proactive, positive, and timely dissemination of research through various media channels, showcasing the positive societal impact locally and globally.
We provide full communications support, including media engagement, developing relationships with journalists, video, photography and social media support, and delivers training and briefing, resulting in high-quality local, national and international media coverage. We work closely with academics and colleagues within the faculties, internal stakeholders across the University, and manage and develop partnerships with external partners including other institutions, charities, government and business.
We partner with the Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD) Programme Team to support communications with a range of stakeholders, including national, regional and local government, City Deal partners, and project and progamme staff at Queen’s. We deliver campaigns and maintain a range of digital channels, including website pages, social media and newsletters, to achieve programme objectives.
Leanne Barnett | Head of Strategic Communications | |
Una Bradley | Communications Officer (EPS Faculty-facing) | |
Sian Devlin | Communications Officer (MHLS Faculty-facing) | |
Emma Gallagher (Maternity leave) | Communications Officer (EPS Faculty-facing) | |
Andrea Kennedy | Communications Manager (BRCD) | |
Dominic Lyttle | Digital Communications Officer | |
Zara McBrearty | Communications Officer (AHSS Faculty-facing) | |
Grace White | Communications Campaigns Officer (MHLS Faculty-facing) |
Media relations
We are responsible for conceptualising and delivering key messages under the objectives outlined in Strategy 2030 from an institutional perspective. We work with colleagues across the University to develop newsworthy stories and identify key journalists across print, broadcast (TV and radio) and online media who may be interested in covering these. We also source contributors from Queen’s to respond to emerging news stories, briefing them on the topic area, and provide media training and support as needed.
Michelle Cassidy (Thurs-Fri) | Communications Officer | |
Jemma Coulter | Communications Officer | |
Emma Deeny | Communications Officer | |
Alana Fisher | Communications Campaigns Officer | |
Suzanne Lagan | Communications Manager (Media) | |
Conor McCullagh | Digital Communications Officer | |
Connor McKernan | Visual Content Producer |
Internal Communications
We manage institutional communication to staff and students to engage, inform, connect and celebrate our staff and student community and help deliver the University's strategic goals. We work closely with senior leaders and colleagues across Queen's, providing specialist advice, preparing communication plans, delivering internal campaigns and implementing targeted, evidence-based internal communication approaches.
Digital Communications
We use social media and digital platforms to tell the world about Queen’s. Whether that’s going behind the scenes to show how Queen’s researchers answer real-world problems, or helping prospective students explore their options, the goal is always the same. Useful campaigns, content and conversations which inspire our audiences to spread the word and change their world for the better.
Have a content suggestion? Contact us
Stephen Baxter-Crawford | Head of Digital Communications | |
Kachela Murray | Social Media Officer (Research and Reputation) | |
Mark Rocks | Social Media Officer (Student Experience) | |
Anna Stewart | Social Media Officer (Corporate and Civic) | |
Alex Whittle | Social Media Officer (Student Recruitment) |
Alumni Engagement and Philanthropy (AEP)
We partner with the Alumni, Engagement and Philanthropy Directorate to deliver communications that maintain lifelong relationships with former students of the University now living and working all over the world.