BCU External Relations
The External Relations team has several responsibilities but chief among them is promoting the work of the University. Whether it's ground-breaking research or the latest community project, we're usually involved. We also connect journalists with academics, handle crisis communications, and support a wide range of University events, from Open Days and Family Days to fashion shows, conferences, and exhibitions. We also provide media training for staff, so if you work at BCU and keen to learn more, please email a member of the team.
BCU in the News
Take a look at some of the recent coverage we have generated for the University.
- BBC News - Invictus Games medals to be designed by students
- Birmingham Live - Christmas warning over common item found in toys as parents told 'could kill in hours'
- Chamberlink Magazine - New leadership at Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity
- The Conversation - The pre-Raphaelite muse who inspired Taylor Swift's The Fate of Ophelia
- Insurance Business UK - CII and Birmingham City University launch pilot to strengthen insurance talent pipeline
- Local TV Birmingham - The hidden history of Birmingham City University in 100 images
- MSN UK - Award-winning journalist gets honorary doctorate
- Optician - New UK Deafblind Research Centre celebrated as 'gamechanger'
- PsychReg - Groundbreaking accessible music technology for disabled artists secures CreaTech Frontiers funding boost
- UK Construction Week - South Korean research fellows join Birmingham City University to accelerate smart city development
Contact us
Email: press@bcu.ac.uk
Mobile: 07808 200856 (External Relations Manager)
Post: External Relations, Marketing and Communications Department, Birmingham City University, Joseph Priestley Building, 6 Cardigan Street, Birmingham, B4 7XG
Meet the team
Phil Gordos
External Relations Manager
A former journalist with the Shropshire Star, Birmingham Evening Mail and BBC Sport, Phil has a wealth of experience in media and leads the External Relations team at BCU. Phil’s role focuses on media work, crisis communications and collaborating with the wider marketing and communications team to promote the University’s new strategy - 'Rooted in Birmingham, Reaching Beyond’.
phil.gordos@bcu.ac.uk / 07808 200856
Phoebe Greggor
Senior External Relations Officer
Being a journalist and BCU alumna, Phoebe has brought knowledge and storytelling skills to connect the university, academics and students to the media. Since joining the team in 2024, Phoebe has been getting staff confident in front of a camera or microphone, promoting exciting announcements about the university, managing media relations, and sharing academics’ expertise.
phoebe.greggor@bcu.ac.uk / 07935 341545
Shelly Hampshire
Senior Communications Officer (Research)
Sharing research that’s transforming industries and improving the lives of people and communities in Birmingham and beyond. Contact Shelly to connect with BCU researchers, get their expert views on the latest news, and discover what’s driving innovation in the arts, healthcare, engineering, sports, law, and social sciences in the UK and internationally for a fairer society.
shelly.hampshire@bcu.ac.uk / 07442 394792
Anisah Vasta
External Relations Officer
Starting her career as a journalist, Anisah has brought her newsroom experience and media skills to the BCU press team. Through networking with academics as well as students she has shared stories with media raising the university's profile. As an alumna, Anisah has come back to her roots and been part of vital campaigns and announcements since joining BCU at the start of 2024.
anisah.vasta@bcu.ac.uk /0756 356 9829