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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
Eamon Deeny
Director of Strategic Communications

Eamon has responsibility for all internal, external, insight and digital communications within Queen’s University.

Email
Elaine Gallagher-Docherty Executive Assistant Email
Emma McCrossan Communications and Media Assistant Email

Research 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 Email
Una Bradley Communications Officer (EPS Faculty-facing) Email
Sian Devlin Communications Officer (MHLS Faculty-facing) Email
Emma Gallagher (Maternity leave) Communications Officer (EPS Faculty-facing) Email
Andrea Kennedy Communications Manager (BRCD) Email
Dominic Lyttle Digital Communications Officer Email
Zara McBrearty Communications Officer (AHSS Faculty-facing) Email
Grace White Communications Campaigns Officer (MHLS Faculty-facing) Email

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.

News releases

Michelle Cassidy (Thurs-Fri) Communications Officer Email
Jemma Coulter Communications Officer Email
Emma Deeny Communications Officer Email
Alana Fisher Communications Campaigns Officer  Email
Suzanne Lagan Communications Manager (Media) Email
Conor McCullagh Digital Communications Officer Email
Connor McKernan Visual Content Producer Email

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.

Staff communication channels

Student communication channels

Gayle Alexander Marketing and Communications Assistant Email
Seth Blacklock Internal Communications Assistant Email
Mary-Ellen Donaghy Communications Manager (Internal) Email
Lia McKenzie Sustainability Communications Co-ordinator Email
Paula McWilliams Internal Communications Officer Email
Temporarily vacant Internal Communications Officer  

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

Have an inspiring story to share? Tell us more

Advice and policies

Stephen Baxter-Crawford Head of Digital Communications Email
Kachela Murray Social Media Officer (Research and Reputation) Email
Mark Rocks Social Media Officer (Student Experience) Email
Anna Stewart Social Media Officer (Corporate and Civic) Email
Alex Whittle Social Media Officer (Student Recruitment) Email

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.

Andrea Glendinning Digital Communications Officer Email
Ciara O'Neill Communications Manager (AEP) Email