Mr Alan Williams

Profiles

Mr Alan Williams

Media and Communications Manager

Corporate Communications (Marketing and Communications)

(he/him)
As a member of the University's Media and Communications team, my role is all about finding ways to showcase our world-leading research, outstanding student achievements, and campus activities and enhancements to a wider audience.
I work with academics and students to produce a range of content (including press releases, thought pieces, video, social media etc), and those efforts have secured prominent national and international coverage in outlets including the BBC, The Times, Daily Telegraph, New York Times, and other publications throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
Some of the more high profile pieces I've worked on for the University include:
I write award submissions for the University. That has in the past led to successes at sector-wide initiatives such as the Times Higher Education Awards and Green Gown Awards, also helping individuals working at the University to earn UK Honours.
Since July 2022, I have written most of the content for the University's alumni magazine - Invenite . Read the 2023 edition at https://issuu.com/plymuni/docs/dpc22541_invenite_7.
I also write speeches and introductory text for members of the University's senior managers to deliver at events such as Graduation.
In 2023, I was awarded a Vice-Chancellor's Award in recognition of my support and service to the University.
You can read recent examples of my work below:

Qualifications

With 25 years' experience as a print journalist and then working in PR and Communications, I can create content from a huge range of sources or - in some cases - none. This includes everything from 50-word snippets to 2500-word features, striking the right balance between communicating the University's research and keeping the reader informed and engaged.

Professional Training

  • I did my journalism training on the NCTJ Fast-Track Newspaper Journalism course at Highbury College in Portsmouth (1998-99).
  • I am currently studying for an MSc Science Communication at the University of the West of England (2022-25), and have already secured a PGDip with Distinction.

Internal Courses

  • Environmental Sustainability (May 2022)
  • Safeguarding, including Prevent (May 2022)
  • GDPR and Information Security (June 2021)
  • Recruitment and Selection (December 2019)
  • Health and Safety (December 2019)
  • Mental Health Awareness (December 2019)
  • Disability Awareness (December 2019)
  • Unconscious Bias (June 2017)
  • Diversity in the Workplace (June 2017)

External Courses

  • Social Media Masterclass (Janet Murray - September 2013)
  • Tactical Incident Management Training (March 2019)
  • Parliament for Press Officers (Parli-Training - November 2016)
  • Film training for iPhone and Android (Ministry of Media - May 2017)
  • Keeping control during testing times (UCEA - March 2015)
  • UKRI Press Officers Day (UKRI - November 2017)

Publications
Other Publications

Examples of my work on the University website