TV Interview Permission Requirements
We asked universities the following questions :
Can you kindly tell us whether academic staff at your university are entitled to give televised interviews or whether they have to firstly secure permission from your press office ?
If they require press office permission can you send to us a copy of whichever university regulations specify that.
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.