University |
Response |
Aberdeen |
The
University of Aberdeen has no formal policy requiring members of staff
to gain permission before speaking to the media. They are free to do
so or not, as they wish. We would rely on their common sense to check
with their line manager if they felt they were being asked on comment
on any matter which is politically sensitive, or regarding which they
felt uncomfortable. |
Abertay,
Dundee |
The
University does not have any policy or regulations governing contact
between its staff and the media. The University’s Press Office in
describing its activities alerts staff that they may be contacted by
the media for expert opinion etc., noting that this can be a positive
opportunity to raise the profile of both the University and the
members of staff concerned. The guide to the Press Office encourages
staff to make use its services, when liaising with the
media. The University does not require that staff seek permission
before engaging with the press. |
Aberystwyth |
Staff
at Aberystwyth University are entitled to give television interviews
and do not have to secure permission from the Press Office to do this. |
Anglia
Ruskin |
Our
academic staff are entitled to give televised interviews without first
securing permission from our press office. |
Aston |
Academic
staff are encouraged to notify the Press Office of any opportunities
for televised interviews but are not required to obtain permission. |
Bangor |
Academic staff are entitled to give televised
interviews at Bangor University. |
Bath
Spa |
Please note that academic staff at Bath Sp are
entitled to give televised interviews and do not have first to secure
permission from our press office. |
Bedfordshire |
As a University which
values widening access to knowledge, we recognize the importance of
our staff being available to talk to the media about their particular
area of specialism, and encourage staff to take up any opportunities
to contribute their expertise when so requested. If you are approached
by the media for such a purpose, it would be helpful if you would
contact the Press Office as the University does seek to monitor its
external media profile. The Press Office is responsible for responding
to media enquiries on all corporate and policy matters relating to the
University. Any enquiries of this nature should be referred to them,
and you should avoid commenting to the media on such matters. You are
reminded that bringing the University into disrepute would be a
disciplinary matter. |
Birmingham |
Response copyright and reproduced by permission of the University
of Birmingham.
As a matter of common
courtesy, and in accordance with common practice, the University of
Birmingham would expect the Press Office to be informed by any member
of staff prior to giving a televised interview - particularly if the
member of staff is appearing as a representative of the institution.
The support of the Press Office can be invaluable to any members of
staff who are giving televised interviews. There are no contractual
obligations to inform the press office prior to giving a televised
interview, but members of academic staff are under a contractual
obligation NOT to bring the institution into disrepute. |
Birmingham City |
Academic staff giving televised interviews
divides into two categories: those acting as a spokesperson of the
University and those giving interviews on subjects that are related to
their area of subject expertise. Only staff authorised to do so should
comprise the former; but there are no regulations governing the
latter. We are keen to promote the dissemination of our knowledge and
expertise and would encourage media organisations to work through our
Media Relations Office as a courtesy in the first instance so that we
can facilitate a response, which we will actively seek to do. |
Bolton |
We ask that all academics let the press office
know if they are doing media interviews whether they be press, new
media, radio or television. This is so the university may maximise any
publicity opportunity for both the university and the academic's work,
if appropriate. We also offer media training and interview advice
where requested. |
Bournemouth |
The University requests that staff do not discuss
any issues specifically to do with the workings of the University
without prior agreement. As for interviews around research or other
professional interests, we prefer staff to alert us so that we can
monitor what is being published and also so that we can assist staff
with any staff development needs, however it is not an absolute
requirement that they alert us first. If it is related to a purely
personal issue and nothing to do with the University, then we would
not expect them to notify us (although many do). |
Bradford |
Academic Staff at the
University of Bradford do give televised interviews and do not require
prior permission from the press office. |
Brighton |
The University of
Brighton does not have a formal media policy. However, it is
recommended that members of staff do contact the press office before
they undertake a media interview. Permission must also be sought from
the press office for film crews to come on to campus. |
Bristol |
In response to your Freedom of Information
request, members of staff at Bristol University have complete freedom
of speech within the law in talking to the media about their research.
However, the appropriate Head of Department's consent (or that of
his/her representative) should be obtained before a media visit to
University premises is agreed. He or she may wish to consider the
safety, security and cost implications before proceeding, and to make
sure that those who would be affected (including students) have been
consulted. We ask that the Press Office is informed in advance of any
media visit, if they have not been involved in setting it up and that
programme makers and reporters should be accompanied throughout their
visit to University premises. We also ask that interviews on
non-University subjects take place off University premises to avoid
the University being identified with particular issues in which it has
no stake or views which are purely personal. |
Brunel |
Academic staff are not
required to obtain permission prior to giving interviews. |
Buckinghamshire
New |
We encourage academics to use the Press
Office for the benefit of everyone involved - the media, University,
and Press Office, and including the academics who can then
be provided with guidance and training to make them feel more
comfortable with the process. We also run regular training programmes
for academics (and others) who may be called upon to act as media
spokespeople, and these include practice television interviews. |
Cambridge |
Academic staff at the
University of Cambridge are not required to seek permission from the
press office before participating in televised interviews; there is
academic freedom at the University of Cambridge, which means that
academic staff are free to speak to whatever media they wish. The
protection of academic freedom is covered by the University statutes,
and, therefore, implicit in our employment contracts. |
Canterbury
Christ Church |
The University has a general media protocol and a
crisis communications protocol. Regarding general media enquiries -
academics are entitled to give general interviews on the proviso they
inform the Corporate Communications Department for our information.
However, in the event of a crisis communications situation or a story
which may engender negative media interest, all interviews conducted
by television, radio or press with members of staff must be approved
by the Corporate Communications Department and be conducted in the
presence of the Media Relations Officer and / or the Corporate
Communications Manager. |
Cardiff |
I can confirm that academic staff at Cardiff
University do not require University permission to give television
interviews. |
Central
Lancashire |
Response copyright and permission to reproduce
refused by UCLan. |
Chester |
Whilst staff do not need to secure permission
from Corporate Communications they are requested to follow
the standard practice of notifying the department who will be able to
co-ordinate any media activity. |
Chichester |
The University does not have any policy in place
regarding academic staff providing interviews but it would expect
colleagues to consult with the Press Office before doing so. |
City |
I can confirm our
academic staff are entitled to give televised interviews, although
they are encouraged to work in collaboration with the press office. |
Coventry |
As the person responsible for external press at
the university, I actively encourage our staff to do interviews for
TV, Radio and the Press about their areas of expertise. As long as
they tell me about it before hand, so I can make a note of it for
logging purposes, then that’s all I usually require. Some of our
academics will call me for a chat about the request for the
interview, especially if they have any worries about it or to run it
past me, but more often than not, I tell them that they are the
experts in their chosen field and if they are happy to do the
interview, then I don’t have a problem with that. I wouldn’t force
anyone to do an interview if they didn’t feel confident enough to do
it and if that was the case, I would try to arrange some media
training for them for the next time they are approached. |
Creative
Arts |
I can confirm that staff at the University do not
require press office permission to give televised interviews, although
they are encouraged to keep the press office informed of any media
appearances. The only exception to this is when the individual is
positioned as speaking for the University; for example if an
opinion/statement is being given as a University position, rather than
the individual position of the person who is being interviewed. This
isn't recorded as a set policy as such, but is historically the line
the press office has taken. |
Cumbria |
There are no formal
regulations as such, but the University’s media communication policy
and protocols state that media enquiries should normally be
coordinated by the press office. |
De
Montfort |
De Montfort University staff
do not require permission to speak to the press. We are keen to
provide the best possible service to the media, including ensuring a
timely and comprehensive response to enquiries which means in practice
that the media tend to call the University Press Office in the
majority of cases. |
Derby |
The University does not have a written procedure;
staff can respond to media requests if they wish but are encouraged to
route all enquiries through our Press Office. |
Dundee |
The University of Dundee does not have a formal
policy concerning staff contact with the media. However, the
convention within the University is that colleagues in the Press
Office are kept informed of such contacts. |
Durham |
The University has no written policy or
regulation that says staff must secure permission from the media
office to provide interviews. However, staff receive guidance
which says that while they may deal directly with the media on their
subject of expertise, requests for comments on broader issues relating
to the reputation of the Institution – sensitive, policy or crisis
issues, for example - should be directed to the media relations office
for management. |
East
Anglia |
Response copyright and reproduced by permission of the University
of East Anglia.
The
University encourages academics and the media to work through its
press office for a host of reasons, including the health and safety of
visitors to campus and to ensure that our staff and the media enjoy a
mutually advantageous and professional relationship. Permission should
be sought from the Press Office for film crews to come onto campus.
While academics are free to talk about their own area of work,
only designated staff have the authority to speak on behalf of the
University. |
East
London |
We do not have any policies or procedures
requiring academic staff to obtain clearance with our Corporate
Marketing Services (which includes our press and publicity office)
prior to giving interviews, although we believe other universities do
have such clauses. We prefer academic colleagues to let us know if
they are doing interviews and most do. While our Corporate Marketing
services are happy to advise and guide colleagues, we have never
sought to restrict freedom of speech. |
Edge
Hill |
Academic staff at Edge Hill are not required to
secure permission from the press office prior to giving televised
interviews. However, in practice academic colleagues will seek advice
from the press office concerning the value of any media opportunity
and may choose to decline to engage directly with media
representatives. |
Edinburgh |
Academic staff at the University of Edinburgh are
not required to secure permission from our central press office before
giving a televised interview. |
Essex |
Academic staff are encouraged to liaise with the
University's Communications Office before undertaking televised
interviews for support and guidance, but there is not a formal
requirement to obtain permission. |
Exeter |
Academic staff are not
required to secure permission from the Press Office before giving
televised interviews, however they are advised to talk to the Press
Office first. |
Falmouth |
At University College Falmouth, academic staff do
need to liaise with our Public Affairs office before giving televised
interviews. This is an informal agreement therefore we do not have
university regulations specifying permission rights criteria. |
Glamorgan |
There are no formal requirements for academic
staff to secure permission from the Press Office at the
University of Glamorgan to give televised interviews. |
Glasgow |
Response copyright and reproduced by permission of the
University of Glasgow.
Academic staff are permitted
to give televised interviews and are not required to receive
permission beforehand. However, it is considered good practice to
consult with the University Media Relations Office, and/or the
relevant head of departments, before giving an interview which the
public MAY consider (correctly or not) represents the University’s
views. This avoids any allegation of bringing the University into
disrepute. All new staff are made aware of this at their induction
presentation. |
Glasgow
Caledonian |
Staff who wish to
promote their academic activities do not have to secure
‘permission’ from the press office before taking part in any type
of interview, but the press office is there to support them in this
capacity and they are therefore encouraged to keep the press office
informed of any media activity. As is standard practice in all
organisations, any interview requests from the media or external
similar organisations should be directed through the press office. |
Gloucestershire |
We do not have a specific policy on media
engagement for academic staff, but they are entitled to academic
freedom. We have good working relationships with our academics,
and have an unwritten protocol that they inform the press office and
ask for guidance where necessary when approached by the media which
works well without formalising this arrangement. |
Glyndwr |
Although the University does not have a specific
policy in respect of televised interviews, where Press seek comments
on a particular news item or wish to seek specialist advice, we always
encourage contact through our Press Office as a first step as
this ensures that queries are dealt with consistently and in good
time, given that academic staff are not always easily accessible due
to teaching and other commitments. Where queries relate to information
about the University, including its programmes, such information where
being presented by the University or any of its partners, is subject
to careful scrutiny by the University’s Editorial Board as is
recommended by QAA to ensure accuracy and completeness. |
Goldsmiths,
London |
There are no formal written College regulations
or guidance on this. Hence technically the correct response to your
request is that no information is held. However, the following is a
summary of the position in practical terms is provided by our Press
Office. Academics at Goldsmiths are free to speak to the media about
their research, however many of them prefer to go via the press
office, and although we have no formal policy we do advise academics
to make use of the press office expertise. The Press Office fully
supports academics speaking to the media and will advise academics on
all aspects of any media opportunities. This may include interview
tips, what to expect from the experience, value of the coverage and
any potential issues they may wish to consider before deciding whether
they wish to participate. We recommend that any staff involved with
filming or photography on campus itself, ensure that a filming/
photography agreement is signed beforehand. Where this is not provided
by the film company, a standard one is available from the press
office. The press office also ensures that all staff likely to be
affected by any filming or photography on campus are briefed in
advance. |
Greenwich |
We have no policy or procedure to this effect. |
Harper
Adams |
We would not normally expect our academic staff
to give televised interviews without reference to our press office but
we do not have a specific policy on this matter at present. |
Heriot-Watt |
Heriot-Watt staff are
advised to refer press and media enquiries to the Press Office in the
first instance. Any statement or message relating to the University as
a corporate body must be issued through the Corporate Communications
Department, ensuring a continuity of message and information. The
University Staff Handbook states that members of staff communicating
with the press ‘should not use a University address or imply that
they write on behalf of the University unless prior clearance has
been given by the Head of Department/Section and the Public Relations
Officer.’ Naturally, no restrictions apply when communications are
made in an individual capacity. |
Hertfordshire |
We do not have a formal written permission
seeking process, therefore I am unable to send this to you. We ask our
academics to get in touch with the Press Office when approached by the
media. We ask them to do this by periodically sending out internal
communications and reiterating the message through our day-to-day
contact with them and through their faculty marketing executives. Academics
generally see this process as being in their best interest and are
happy to abide by it. |
Huddersfield |
The University does not have a policy which
covers academic staff giving televised interviews. |
Hull |
Academic staff do not need any permission
from the press office before giving television interviews. We operate
in an advisory and supportive capacity and we recommend that
colleagues have media training, which we co-ordinate centrally. |
Imperial
College |
Academic staff at Imperial College are entitled
and encouraged to give televised interviews on their area of
expertise; the College goes out of its way to facilitate media
relations and sees communicating about its work a key part of the
College mission. Though specific press office permission does not need
to be granted, to ensure that academics receive the best support
the press office requests that it is kept informed of all media bids. |
Keele |
Keele University does not require academic
staff to secure permission from our press office to give
televised interviews, however we do ask that academics
inform the press office of any interviews that they might
undertake and offer advice should they require it. |
Kent |
The University encourages academic staff to work
with the Media Office on all publicity, whether print or broadcast,
but they are not required to secure permission from them to do so. |
King's
College |
The
only members of College staff who are authorised to speak to the media
on corporate issues are the Principal, the Vice-Principals, the
Director of Communications or specific staff members nominated by the
above. If staff receive any
questions from the media about College policy (such as admissions
procedures or corporate strategy, for instance), these must be
referred to the Public Relations Department. Any media requests which
have security implications or which may be potentially controversial
for the College must be referred, in the first instance, to the Public
Relations Department. (These might include, for instance, sensitive
issues involving terrorism, the use of animals in research at KCL, or
licensing for research on human embryos.) In areas where there may be
potential repercussions for the College, expert panels will be
established of staff who have an awareness of College policy, and will
be able to speak with authority about, the issues. Where necessary,
media training will be made available to staff. The College welcomes
positive publicity as this plays an important role in maintaining the
excellent reputation and high profile that we enjoy. As such, academic
staff members are encouraged to engage with the media about their
areas of expertise. Indeed, it is incumbent upon academic staff to
make the results of their research available to a wider public via the
media, as this helps fulfill the College’s mission of working ‘in
the service of society’. |
Kingston |
A great deal of Kingston University’s positive
media coverage is achieved through interviews with academics. The
University has therefore always been committed to supporting staff who
speak to the media on their specialist subjects. Academics are
encouraged to contact their Press Office representative (each Faculty
has a dedicated Press Office link person). Each Press Office
representative will provide advice on media opportunities in
terms of determining audience reach and the value of any potential
coverage, and offer pointers on how to get key messages across.
Co-ordination through the Press Office also ensures lack of
duplication and allows media relationships to be tracked and coverage
to be monitored. Academics are not responsible for organising the
logistics of any filming at the University. This sits with the press
office which takes the lead on organising filming venues, car parking
and liaising with academic and administrative staff with regards to
academics’ timetables and availability. The Press Office is also
responsible for ensuring the filming activity doesn’t compromise any
other activity planned on campus (which individual academics may be
unaware of). |
Lampeter |
There is no formal
policy regarding seeking permission to give televised interviews.
There is a contractual obligation on all staff that they abide with
the Confidential Information Policy. |
Lancaster |
Response copyright and reproduced by permission of Lancaster
University.
Our
policy on televised interviews is that anything relating to the
corporate face of the university is organised through the Press
Office. This would include responses to crises or new developments or
HE policy, etc. Usually the press office would organise TV interviews
for academics as part of our normal work to get publicity for research
etc. Academics are free to take part in televised interviews as long
as they are talking about their particular area of expertise - usually
they would let the Press Office know if they had been approached
separately. |
Leeds |
This University has no requirement that its staff
seek permission from the Press Office (or any other authority) before
giving televised or other interviews. |
Leeds
Metropolitan |
The Communications team is the first point of
contact for all media enquiries. If you are contacted by a member of
the media, including journalists and programme researchers, please
record their name, publication or programme, contact details and a
brief note of the enquiry, and then direct them to the Communications
team. All media enquiries should be dealt with quickly. We recognise
that a journalist may contact you first knowing you are an expert in
your field. However, please check with Communications first before
engaging in conversations with the media. If you are regularly
contacted by the same people or about the same subject we will form an
agreement with you that you should go ahead without letting the
Communications team know first. However, we will ask that you still
let us know about each media interaction immediately afterwards so we
can record and monitor activity. |
Leeds
Trinity |
Academic staff at Leeds Trinity & All Saints
are entitled to give televised interviews. Staff are offered guidance
and required to contact the Communications Office prior to any
interviews, but they are not currently required to seek permission.
How we deal with the media is under review and this may be subject to
change. |
Leicester |
Academic staff are not
required to secure permission from the press office in order to give a
televised interview. However, if this is for a news or public
broadcast channel, they are requested to inform us so that we can note
it/record it if appropriate. |
Lincoln |
Academic staff at the University of Lincoln are
asked to secure permission from the University's press office before
giving interviews to the media - broadcast or otherwise. |
Liverpool |
The University has no formal regulations
governing the involvement of academic staff in televised interviews.
Academic staff are free to give interviews without securing permission
from the University’s Press Office but are encouraged to seek their
guidance and support beforehand. |
Liverpool
Hope |
Staff, if approached are expected to notify
the press office, but there is no explicit statement that they must
get permission more of an advisory that if approached refer to press
office who will 'broker' any discussions. |
Liverpool
John Moores |
As a stated core value 'to question accepted
views and to defend independence of thought' the University fully
supports the right to freedom of speech within the academic
environment. All staff at LJMU are free to explore, research and
publish opinions based on fact but should note that academic freedom
does not give immunity from the law or from personal liability. Any
views expressed in public are always those of the individual and are
not expressed on behalf of the University. Comments, opinions and
statements made in the public domain should always be cleared by the
press office staff who can provide advice and guidance on dealing with
journalists in print and broadcast media. |
London
Metropolitan |
We advise all journalists and media organisations
to contact our Press Office with any queries or requests for expert
opinions and interviews with our academic staff. Some journalists do
contact our academic staff directly. Members of staff are encouraged
to consult the Press Office when they are approached with such
requests from the media. |
London
South Bank |
The academic staff at London South Bank
University are not currently required to secure permission
before giving televised interviews; however they are strongly
encouraged to contact the Marketing Department of the
University prior to doing so. This is so that we can
monitor and promote coverage and provide professional
media liaison advice to academic staff where appropriate. |
Loughborough |
Academics at Loughborough are free to be approached
by the media but are encouraged to notify the PR Office of any such
approaches. Any filming or photography on campus requires
permission from the PR Office. |
LSE |
Academic staff at the School are not required to
seek permission from the Press Office before giving televised
interviews. |
Manchester |
One of the functions
of the Communications and Marketing Services Office is to manage the
University’s media relations. It does this in two main ways:
proactively publicising newsworthy
research and events, and reactively finding academics to give expert
comment in response to requests from the media. If an academic member
of staff is approached by a journalist on a matter relating to their
area of academic expertise they may decide whether to cooperate or
not, at their own discretion. If a member of staff would like guidance
on dealing with the media, staff in the Communications and Marketing
Services Office are available to advise. |
Manchester
Met |
MMU's academic staff are not required to secure
permission from the MMU press office in order to give televised
interviews. |
Middlesex |
Middlesex University academics do give media
interviews, sometimes through the Press Office, and sometimes not.
There is no written policy on this at Middlesex. |
Napier |
Interview requests
would normally be routed through our Press Enquiries webpage. |
Newcastle |
Academics are free to take part in televised
interviews without permission. There are no regulations about this. In
practice, the Press Office is often consulted in advance and likes to
be notified of all media interviews, so it can monitor the results. We
encourage academics to do this but there is no compulsion. |
Newport |
Academic staff do not
require permission form the Press Office in order to do an interview,
however academic are asked to inform the Press Office so that details
of the interview can be logged. |
Northampton |
All media coverage about the University is
brought to the attention of our Press Office and the Press Officers
are available to arrange and facilitate media interviews if
approached, by members of the University staff or external contacts,
to do so. Academics at this institution do not need permission from
the press office in order to give televised interviews and we have no
policy or regulation concerning such interviews. However, all staff,
acting in their official capacity, are expected to represent the
University appropriately. Training and advice is given, by our Press
Officers, to ensure this. |
Northumbria |
There are no regulations in relation to academic
staff at Northumbria University giving televised interviews. It is at
the discretion of the individual as to whether or not they notify the
press office if asked. |
Nottingham |
The University has no formal policy on staff
interaction with the media and, in line with its commitment to
academic freedom of speech, academic staff are free to deal with
members of the media directly if they so wish. The Communications
Office requests - although it does not demand - that staff inform them
if they have spoken to the media to allow monitoring of any resulting
media output and assessment of its potential impact on the
University’s brand/reputation. Staff are also advised that media and
public relations professionals within the Communications Office are
always available to offer help and advice and give clear guidance
on speaking to press, broadcast, or online journalists. |
Nottingham
Trent |
There
is no formal regulation dealing explicitly with the issue of televised
interviews; it would be unrealistic to expect the University to have a
specific regulation for each and every type of activity that staff may
engage in. However, we believe that the issue is adequately
covered by the Rules of Conduct for Staff, made under section 9.1 of
the University’s Articles of Government. The following is the
relevant extract: Use
of University Services Staff shall not use the facilities of the
University for their personal or other non-work needs except with the
specific approval of their Head of Department, or within any general
regulations approved for the purpose by the University. Where such
approval is given by the Head of Department, or is undertaken within
such regulations, staff may be charged for the services provided. A member of staff would not require University
approval to give a personal interview in their capacity as private
citizens, provided that the interview took place away from University
premises and in the individual’s own time and no overt or implied
linkage to their employment at the University is made in such
interviews. |
Oxford |
Academic staff at the University of Oxford are
not required to seek permission from the University's Press Office
when giving interviews. |
Oxford
Brookes |
Oxford Brookes does not require academic staff to
obtain permission from the Public Relations Office and therefore has
no relevant regulation. However the Public Relations team does like to
be made aware of any media interest in the University and has issued
the following guidance to staff: "We want to help you talk to the
media. Obviously as a publicly-funded organisation, we want to be open
to requests from the media. However, as the Public Relations team, we
are responsible for managing the overall reputation of
the University in the media. Therefore, if you are talking to a
journalist and you find yourself questioned about areas which go
beyond your area of expertise, or touch on policy issues which affect
the University's reputation as a whole, please talk to the PR office
before taking your conversation further. Obviously, when it comes to
your area of research or expertise, you are the best placed person to
talk to the trade or specialist press, but if you receive a call from
the local, national, or education media (e.g. the Times Educational
Supplement or Times Higher Educational Supplement), please inform the
PR office before giving an interview. |
Plymouth |
The University of Plymouth press office has
responsibility for the co-ordination and management of media requests
for information and interviews. If a journalist approaches a member of
staff directly, they are encouraged to inform and seek the advice of
the press office. Whilst staff are not required to obtain the
permission of the press office to give a media interview, the press
office would expect to be informed of and involved in any media
requests to film on campus. |
Plymouth
Marjon |
Academic staff are not
required to secure permission from our Marketing and PR Office prior
to giving televised interviews. |
Portsmouth |
The University is currently working on a
statement of good practice in relation to media interviews by academic
staff. Academic staff are free to give interviews to the media on
their area (s) of expertise and are encouraged to seek the support and
advice of the Press Office when doing so. |
Queen
Margaret |
We actively encourage academic staff to speak to
the media about their work. A
number of our academics with extensive media experience do speak to
the media without involving our press office. However, as a general
rule, we ask academics to liaise with our Press and PR Officer before
answering media questions. This allows us to provide the academic
concerned with guidance on responding to media questions effectively
and helps us track media interest. Our media relations protocol is :
If a journalist contacts you direct, it is essential that you
pass on the enquiry to the Press and PR Officer in the Marketing and
Communications Office in the first instance, before engaging in any
discussion. The Marketing and Communications Office will then refer
the journalist back to you/onto another member of staff, as
appropriate. By passing enquiries onto the Marketing and
Communications Office, you allow us to: Provide you with guidance on
dealing with media questions effectively, Track media interest,
Monitor the effectiveness of pro-active media relations and help build
our corporate relationships with the media. |
Queen
Mary |
Staff do not require permission if they are
speaking in a personal capacity. However, if they are speaking on
behalf of the institution, then the answer would be 'yes'. |
Queen's
Belfast |
Academic staff at the
University are entitled to give televised interviews, without seeking
prior approval from the University’s Press Office. When academic members
of staff are discussing or writing about matters outside their area of
work, they are, however, asked to make it clear that they are speaking
as individuals and that their views
do not represent the considered position of the University. |
Reading |
Academic staff are perfectly entitled to give
interviews with the media without any permission, but are strongly
encouraged to seek the advice of our Communications Office first. |
Robert
Gordon |
Academic staff are perfectly entitled, and indeed
encouraged, to give televised interviews without permission from the
University's Communications Office as long as it is in relation to
their academic discipline. |
Roehampton |
We are currently
working on an external communications strategy, which will have policy
and procedures relating to academics undertaking external media
activities. While formalising external communications policy and
procedures we do encourage all staff to alert the press office to any
external media activities they may be involved in. |
Royal
Holloway |
Academic staff at Royal Holloway do not have to
secure "permission" to give interviews, but we prefer it if
they notify us. |
Salford |
We have no objections to our academics being
filmed about their work and would be happy to help you identify any
who would be good to speak to. |
Sheffield |
Academic staff members are
positively encouraged to speak to the media about their own areas of
work, mentioning the University wherever appropriate. Any media
enquiries on matters of corporate policy received by staff other than
members of the Senior Management Group must be referred to the Media
Relations Officer responsible for strategy. All contact with the news
media in any University-related context should be reported to the
Media Relations Officer or Media Relations Assistant - in advance of
any press or broadcast coverage that results, wherever possible. The
Media Team constantly monitors University media coverage, enquiries
and contacts to track the development of the University’s media
profile and evaluate our media relations performance. It is also
helpful to the team (although this is entirely optional) if members of
staff let them know about any media exposure they expect to receive in
non-University related contexts. |
Sheffield
Hallam |
The University’s policy is to be accessible,
helpful and efficient in all dealings with the news media. University
staff are free to talk to the media about their own areas of
expertise, but should always keep the Department of Marketing and
Development’s media relations officer or head of media and corporate
affairs informed. However, all media enquiries about corporate matters
must be referred to the Department of Marketing and Development. If in
doubt contact the head of media and corporate affairs or the Director
of Marketing and Development before making any comment. The
University’s ‘Media Relations Policy and Procedures’ provide
clear guidance. It is a condition of your employment that you will not
use or disclose any confidential information obtained during the
course of your employment except where such disclosure and/or use is
authorised by the University. Examples of confidential information
include the identity or details of people using the University’s
services, personal information relating to staff, and confidential
policy documents. If confidential information is disclosed without
authority, disciplinary action may follow. |
SOAS |
Response copyright and reproduced by permission of SOAS.
Academic
contacts between staff and the media are governed by the School's Code
of Conduct for Media Activities, which is in fact available on the
SOAS website, accessible from the Policy Documents page in the School
Governance section of the site. This sets out the principles to be
followed by staff when making statements to the media. Members of the
School staff must seek the permission of the Director and Principal
(or delegate) before using the name and/or address of the School when
submitting communications or addressing letters to the Press or giving
interviews on the television or radio. |
Southampton |
The University of Southampton maintains a central
Media Relations Office, which is the primary channel of liaison with
all forms of media. Academic staff do not have to gain permission from
the Media Relations Office to give television interviews when it is
related to their academic, research or educational work, although they
are encouraged to let them know, as they are happy to assist with
setting up media contacts, with advice on presentation, and also on
how to deal with sensitive issues if the need arises. As interviews
can often generate further interest, and therefore requests for the
Media Relations Office to give further information or access to other
academic staff, it is also helpful if the team is kept informed of any
contact with the media. On matters of University policy, however, all
staff, academic or otherwise, are required to liaise with the Media
Relations Office. This is regarded as standard procedure and is in no
way an infringement of academic freedom. |
Southampton
Solent |
Staff may be asked to
lecture, write articles or participate in some form of media
discussion, not as a representative of the University, but as a
specialist or professional in a particular subject. This type of
activity does not usually involve any discussion of University policy.
There is no objection in this situation to staff identifying their
role as University staff in order to indicate their professional
standing, but three points should be borne in mind. Any publication of
any significance in which this identification is given should include
a statement that the views expressed are those of the author and are
not to be attributed to Southampton Solent University. This type of
activity must not be used as a platform for public attacks on declared
Southampton Solent University policies or decisions. Staff who have
been approached by the media in this capacity are expected to advise
the University Press Office that they have been asked to do so. |
St
Andrews |
Academic staff at St Andrews are entitled to give
televised interviews and are not normally required to secure
permission. They are, however, strongly encouraged to make use of
the support of the University Press Office and to make the Press
Office aware of any contact with the media. All requests to film or
photograph within the University grounds must be directed to the Press
Office in advance. |
St
Mary's Twickenham |
Academic staff are supposed to inform the
Marketing Department prior to giving any interviews. We have no
written regulations to this effect. |
Staffordshire |
Academic staff at
Staffordshire University are entitled to give televised interviews and
are encouraged to work closely with the press office. |
Stirling |
Any enquiries which concern something outside
your area of expertise, or University policy, a controversial topic or
the personal details of a current or past member of staff or student,
should be referred to the University Communications & Media
Office. If the journalist wants to speak to you about something within
your field find out their details before accepting. If you have taken
part in an interview please let the Communications & Media Office
know, a quick email will do. In return, we keep a record of all
mentions of the University of Stirling in the media, and can supply
you with details of any coverage generated by your interview. |
Strathclyde |
Many of our academic staff regularly appear in
the media and are actively encouraged to do so to promote the
University's research, education and knowledge exchange. They are also
encouraged to provide professional academic commentary. This is
coordinated by media experts within the Communications Office who
provide training and support to staff, by doing so it allows the
University to coordinate and evaluate its communications effectively.
The Secretary to the University is responsible to the University Court
for ensuring that the University's official view is properly and
appropriately communicated outside the University. In this regard, the
Secretary works closely with the Chairman of Court, the Principal and
the University's Press Officer. Members of staff when acting in a
private capacity should make it clear to the public that the views
they are expressing are those of private individuals. University
addresses should not be used in such public statements. Public
statements made in the name of the University of Strathclyde must be
cleared in advance with the Secretary to the University. All staff
must seek prior approval from the University via the Communications
Office for any on-campus filming. |
Sunderland |
We do request that our staff
contact the University Press Office before carrying out TV interviews. The
reason we do this is for consistency reasons and awareness of external
issues. This procedure is not written anywhere but it is
understood by staff over many years practice. |
Surrey |
Academic staff are encouraged to communicate with
the media on the subject of their specialisms and areas of expertise.
The University expects staff to respond positively to requests from
journalists where it is reasonable to do so. The press office can
provide advice, information, support and guidance in all areas of
dealing with the media. Staff should seek guidance if they receive an
approach from a journalist that they feel ill-equipped to deal with,
are under pressure from time constraints or if they require any other
advice or assistance. Where controversial topics are concerned, always
consult with the press office before making a comment. Where an
academic is approached directly by a journalist, without the knowledge
of the press office the member of staff should contact the press
office as soon as possible. Members of staff should never appear to
represent the official position of the University or its views to the
media, unless they are doing so in an official capacity as one of its
nominated spokespeople. No journalist, press photographer or film crew
should be invited on to the campus of the University without the prior
knowledge and agreement of the press office. Where possible a member
of the press office team will accompany the members of the media
whilst on University property. |
Sussex |
Response copyright and reproduced by permission of the University
of Sussex.
Only
senior management or the Press Office can represent the University on University
matters when it comes to televised interviews (or indeed any media
engagement). There is no policy restricting academics from talking
about their own research, but the University advises that they contact
the Press Office for support, and the Press Office will offer general
advice on approaches when they deem it appropriate. In addition,
the University has a Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech. |
Swansea |
Swansea University does not require academic
staff to obtain prior permission before giving television interviews. |
Swansea
Metropolitan |
Swansea Metropolitan University does not seek to
prevent academic staff from giving televised interviews if they are
acting in a purely private capacity. The University has no formal
policy, but if academic staff are to give interviews as
representatives of the University, then they are encouraged to contact
the University press office before doing so. |
Teesside |
The University would prefer that staff speak to
the Press Office prior to giving media interviews, however this is not
a documented requirement. |
Thames
Valley |
We ask for any requests to
come through the press office. I am unable to send you a copy of the
policy as this is under review. Once published it will be available
via the University website. |
Trinity
Carmarthen |
We do not formally require academic staff to
secure permission to give televised interviews. |
Ulster |
Academic staff at the University of Ulster do not
require formal permission to give televised interviews. It is a
convention within the University that academics should inform the
press office if they have been contacted by external media but it is
not a contractual requirement. University press office representatives
will normally accompany all camera crews or reporters whilst on campus
and will offer guidance to any academics who are undertaking media
work. As to content, academic staff may undertake media interviews
which touch on their individual fields of academic endeavour. |
University
College |
UCL academics are not required to secure
permission from the press office to give televised (or other)
interviews. |
University
of the Arts |
The University of the Arts London Press Office
acts as a first point of contact for journalists and manages relations
between the University and local, national and international media.
The Press office encourages academic staff to seek and share
information. The University does not have any regulations or press
office permission requirements for academic staff in respect of
televised interviews. |
UWIC |
Response copyright and reproduced by permission of UWIC.
I
can confirm that, in normal circumstances, academic staff at UWIC are
entitled to give televised interviews without first securing
permission from our Press Office. |
Warwick |
I confirm that academic staff at the University
of Warwick have the academic freedom to talk to any media about their
subject matter. |
West
of England |
The University has a central
Press Office which is the first point of contact for all media
enquiries. The Press Office follows a code of practice which seeks to
manage all enquiries to the benefit of staff, the University and the
media. |
West
of Scotland |
There are no University regulations on this
subject. Therefore academic staff are not required to secure
permission before giving televised interviews. However they are
encouraged to inform the Press Office, who can provide support and
training if required. |
Westminster |
The University of
Westminster can confirm that it does not hold information relating to
a general academic staff employment regulation requiring academic
staff to always secure permission from University management before
giving televised media and press interviews. Generally speaking, our
academics are free to talk to the media on their own subject area of
expertise. However, you should be informed that all our academic staff
are advised, when contacted by the press or media, to discover the
nature of the enquiry and consult with our Press Office for advice and
guidance before making any specific statements. Additionally, any
potential conflict of interest and/or planned activity should also be
explored beforehand with an appropriate line manager. Also, there are
some exceptions to this approach. In these areas line management
procedures, rather than staff regulations, currently require staff to
always consult with our Press Office and appropriate line management
before conducting any interview with the press or media. |
Winchester |
There is no requirement to get permission from
our Student Recruitment and Marketing Office, who deal with press
enquiries. |
Wolverhampton |
In response to your request below, we do not have
any regulations which specify that staff must obtain permission from
the press office before giving televised interviews. We do advise,
however, that all media requests and/or enquiries are referred to
the Media Relations team. In consultation with relevant staff, they
will assess the request. |
Worcester |
The University does not have a policy or
regulation requiring academic staff to seek permission before giving
televised interviews. However, there is a culture at the University in
which academic staff do confer with our press office before engaging
in such activities. |
York |
Our guidance is that we prefer academic
staff at the University of York to consult the Press Office and/or
inform the Press Office in advance of any approach they
receive to give televised interviews. There are, however, no specific
regulations to this effect. |
York
St John |
Staff are expected to contact our Press and PR
office if they plan to undertake a radio or television interview.
However, the approach we take is an advisory one rather than
permissions based and therefore sits more within an expectation around
good practice and reputation management. In terms of executive group
staff and corporate level comment the Press and PR office normally
leads on organisation and liaison with press and media. We do not have
a written policy. We are a relatively small university with an
emerging research base, therefore as a marketing department are
familiar with academic staff research interests. However, if the issue
was a potential ethical one then we would refer this to the University
ethics committee for their consideration. With sensitive issues staff
do come to us for advice. If the issue was not an ethical one, but
concerns around the interview remained we would liaise with the
academic and their line manager (usually Dean of Faculty) to ensure
that we had tabled all the pros and cons around the potential
interview before agreeing the line of action between us. |