Faculty of Science, Agriculture & Engineering

Staff Profile

Brett Cherry

Science Communications & Marketing Mgr

Background

Primary Role

My primary role in the Faculty of Science, Agriculture & Engineering (SAgE) at Newcastle University is to lead on the interpretation and dissemination of information relating to research, teaching and engagement activity and its outcomes to a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

I write for specialist publications in energy, water and sustainability for practitioner and policy audiences, and an experimental blog called a writer in the laboratory.

I'm interested in the UN Sustainable Development Goals and work in collaboration with the Newcastle University Global Challenges Academy to communicate research relevant to the goals for policy, industry and public audiences. 

Main Duties & Responsibilities:  

  • Work closely with the Marketing and Communications Manager to develop, plan and implement multi-channel, multi-stakeholder communications and marketing campaigns, with a particular emphasis on preparation for REF2021.
  • Lead on science communications and marketing, including the research to policy interface for sustainable development, working with the Global Challenges Academy.
  • Production of marketing materials (print and digital) for the Faculty and academic Schools, ensuring alignment with University planning, branding, guidelines and policies.
  • Build and maintain relationships with academic, research, technical and administrative staff in order to encourage them to identify and share content and evidence for celebration and success.
  • Carry out market research, stakeholder and competitor analysis to inform the positioning of the Faculty and its academic Schools.
  • Contribute to the Faculty’s events programme, helping to ensure maximum value is derived from the resources deployed.
  • Manage and develop the Design and Production Officer and Communications Officer (Open Lab). This involves setting objectives, overseeing and reviewing workload and progress.

Featured Links:

Background

I am a specialist in science communication, but communicate university research more broadly through communications and marketing support for Newcastle University. 

A journalist and researcher by training, I enjoy writing for the web and print as well as visual media production, including audio, video and infographics. I also work with external stakeholders to organise events for a variety of publics as well as experts and non-experts in policy and industry. I have worked in academia for seven years.

My academic and professional careers have revolved around science communication, philosophy, the physical sciences, media studies, science and technology studies and journalism. I have worked as a writer and researcher in environmental and science journalism, and as an investigative reporter, in the US, Canada and the UK. I was also a researcher in renewable energy for NGOs, and for an educational non-profit on solar energy. I am interested in the novels of Philip K. Dick and their relation to technological society.

Publications