Since joining the University of Glasgow in 2013, Emma Gilmartin has revolutionised the way the university approaches social media and student communications, putting its students and staff at the forefront of its activity. As head of the multi award winning team, she leads its creative vision, digital content strategy and community engagement.

She has unified the university's online presence, established and strengthened the UofG social brand and led an overhaul of Glasgow's social output — using emerging channels, live platforms and creative ways to bring the UofG story to life, break news, promote world-changing research and grow community engagement and all things #TeamUofG.

In 2019, Emma won the inaugural ‘Pioneer Award’ at the ContentEd Awards 2019 for being a leader in the Education sector and breaking new ground in content strategy. She has spoken at multiple conferences nationally and internationally and writes blogs on the importance and value of social media in the higher education sector.

Social:
Twitter: @embrooksy8 / @UofGlasgow
Blog: www.uofgsocialmedia.com
Website: www.glasgow.ac.uk

Alistair is the Senior Social Media Coordinator at The University of Manchester, where he oversees the strategic direction of corporate channels and leads a hub of social media professionals across campus.

He is an experienced digital marketing and communications specialist with over twelve years’ experience in public and private sector roles, including agency and in-house. CIM-certified, Alistair has spent the last six years working in Higher Education and is a regular conference presenter and trainer.

@alistairbeech on Twitter

After 8 years in broadcast (Discovery, STV, BBC) specialising in writing, directing and producing multi-platform digital content, marketing and promotional campaigns, Greig turned his hand to Higher Education Social Media, joining the University of Glasgow at the beginning of 2019. He has a passion for photography, videography and storytelling.

Daniel is a social and digital media consultant, speaker and trainer. He founding 448 Studio in 2018 which specialises in delivering workshops for businesses and public & education sectors, with the aim to teach people to connect with their audience through social media.

If you look on his twitter you're likely to see mostly pictures of his dog Samwise.
@terriblem86

Phil Moar is a senior communications officer at Edinburgh Napier University. After working within the private sector for five years at an integrated communications agency in Aberdeen, he made the step into the higher education sphere in 2016.

During his time at Edinburgh Napier, Phil has been at the heart of the development of a new social media strategy for the University and oversees the Edinburgh Napier channels where he speaks to students, staff and alumni on a day-to-day basis.

He’s passionate about storytelling and has taken what he has learnt as a traditional press and media officer into the social world - the importance of good storytelling can cross boundaries.

Jennie is the Senior Social Media Officer at the University of Bradford. During her time at the University, Jennie has focused efforts into ensuring there is a consistent stream of high-quality content creation and analysis; helping to develop the social strategy for the university. She has been instrumental in the realisation and delivery of the new This is Bradford campaign, through award-winning digital content storytelling.

Simon Fairbanks has over 15 years of experience in the education sector. This includes student recruitment, marketing, and events roles at four different universities in the UK: Nottingham, Birmingham, Warwick, and Coventry. 

Simon has also worked at Pickle Jar Communications, a content strategy consultancy for the international education sector. He helped schools, colleges, and universities share their stories through digital communications. 

Simon is an international speaker. He has spoken at a variety of conferences, including CASE, ContentEd, EFMD, IDPE, FindAUniversity, HELOA, HighEdWeb, SU Digital, and Utterly Content. He was Chair of the Newcomers Track at CASE Europe Annual Conference from 2020 to 2023. 

As a published author, Simon is particularly interested in storytelling in the education sector. He spends his free time reading, writing, running, and finding new ways to make his children laugh.

Tony Sheridan is currently the Senior Digital Campaigns Manager at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), one of the top-ranked research universities in the world, working in the Global Branding and Communications Division. Since arriving in early 2021, Sheridan has taken KAUST’s campaigns to a new level, revolutionizing their content streams and generating industry-leading digital impact. Tony has led truly global campaigns with KAUST’s highest-profile external brand partners such as the Global Sustainable Development Congress, McLaren Formula 1 Racing team, Times Higher Education, AAAS/Science, and National Geographic, among others. His work has consistently been recognized with international award wins.

Prior to KAUST, Tony was Social Media and Digital Content Manager for the University of Limerick in his native Ireland, an institution he worked for over a decade in various marketing and communications, and student engagement roles. A former Director of Marketing and Communications for Limerick Mental Health Association, he also has worked extensively as a consultant across the non-profit, community, and charity sectors helping organizations set ambitious goals, develop effective strategies, and deliver results.

Tony holds a Bachelor of Technology and Education, and received a Master’s in Marketing Management from the University of Limerick in 2021, being awarded the university’s prestigious ‘Outstanding Graduate Award’ for that year.

Dave is the Head of Community and Content at The Access Platform, and the founder of Mustard Yellow Media, a new brand podcasting company. Previously, he was the University of Warwick’s social media lead from 2014-2017 and then created and ran The Native and hosted its accompanying podcast. Dave is also a familiar face at this event, having been its co-chair for two years. Outside of work, Dave plays in a loud rock band, makes podcasts, and reads Stephen King books. He is also a new dad, so is very tired all the time.