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Strategic communications manager is shortlisted


for national PR award Lynn Clark, strategic communications manager, was shortlisted for the Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA) Awards 2011 in the category of “In-house Professional of the Year”.


Referred to as the Oscars of the PR Industry, the PRCA Awards showcase the best that the UK and International PR industries have to offer. From both in-house communications teams and consultancies alike, the awards recognise the talent and impact of individuals, teams and campaigns.


Lynn was recognised for her work with the university since its launch in 2007. In particular she managed all PR and internal and external communications through the institution’s first few years with its initial challenges and then its impressive turnaround over the last year, which saw the institution secure financial sustainability, form a new academic and professional structure that focuses on supporting students and staff, and develop a revitalised strategic plan to enable effective contribution to community development. Lynn said: “I am delighted


to have been shortlisted—it came as a complete surprise as colleagues had nominated me without letting me in on their plan! Recognition by one’s peers in the industry is without doubt the highest accolade for a professional and whether or not I win, it is a distinct honour even to be considered for the award.”


University Registrar and Secretary Neil Harris commented: “I work closely with Lynn and am very pleased that her professionalism and ability have been recognised in this way. Lynn is an experienced PR and communications professional who supports and advises the university’s vice chancellor, senior management team and the University Board on strategic communications and PR matters. She is held in high regard by the senior management team and the University Board.”


Forging links with Kazakhstan


Dr Ian Convery, Reader in Conservation and Forestry in the National School of Forestry (NSF) and Dr Andrew Ramsay, Faculty of Arts, Business and Science research co- ordinator, attended a seminar at the Kazakhstan National University (KazNU), Almaty which focused on building research capacity and academic mobility.


University researchers have worked hard to forge strong links to HEIs in Central Asia and together with the University of Brighton, were the only UK institutions invited to this event, which included senior academics from Harvard and Columbia universities and other high-ranking global HEIs.


At the seminar, Ian and Andrew talked about our experiences of developing research capacity and spent some time working with academic staff and students in the biology and geography faculties. They also held a number of very promising meetings with KazNU managers concerning our future collaboration (both research and teaching) with their university. Discussions included research mapping habitat for a number of endangered species, visiting roles for NSF academic staff and combined fieldtrips for NSF and KazNU students.


Ian returned to Almaty in late November with Prof Vincent O’Brien from the Faculty of Health & Wellbeing to deliver a seminar on research capacity and research ethics.


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