BCU Press Team
The External Relations team is responsible for informing the media about university announcements, connecting journalists and academics, and offer opportunities to film on BCU’s campuses.
They work with the wider communications team, to promote media appearances and works on different channels through the university.
The team also provides media training for staff to provide confidence-building, useful techniques and key messaging. If you are a member of staff who is interested in media training, please email a member of the press team.
BCU in the news
- BBC News – 'Being kidnapped by police has shaped my career'
- BBC Media Centre - BBC announces boost to creative diversity commitments following review by Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity
- The Guardian – Gallaghers could earn more from Oasis reunion than ‘they made in entire 90s’
- Mail Online – Are true crime documentaries inspiring a new wave of young female killers?
- Birmingham Live – How immigrant workers singing their sorrows in Black Country pubs gave birth to British Bhangra
- The Conversation – ‘It made me feel judged’: why it’s harder to get sexual healthcare if you practice consensual non-monogamy
- Pyschreg – Women Are Having Children Later and It Means They’re More Likely to Have Twins – BCU Expert Explains Why
Contact us
Press Office
Email: press@bcu.ac.uk Post: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, 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
Kieran Witsey
Senior Communications Officer
With over five years of media relations experience, Kieran is passionate about demonstrating BCU’s ongoing commitment to the West Midlands region, offering journalists access to a wealth of expertise spread across BCU’s faculties. Kieran can connect you to a host of academic experts with real-life industry experience, providing quick responses to evolving regional, national and international news stories.
kieran.witsey@bcu.ac.uk / 07709 720842
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
Phoebe Greggor
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
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 / 07743 984297