Media and Communications
Sitting within Marketing and Recruitment, the Media and Communications Unit (MCU) is a small team of communication specialists who work with academic, TAFE and corporate staff to gain positive, accurate media coverage for the university.
MCU team members pitch stories to journalists, write media releases, manage media enquiries, provide staff with editorial and media advice, and monitor Swinburne's coverage in print, broadcast and online media.
Positive media coverage is an important part of raising the public profile of the university. The media affects the views of all the people on whose good opinion we depend including prospective students and their parents, funding agencies, current and potential industry partners and government departments.
The types of stories that are likely to attract media interest include research findings, awards, grants and fellowship announcements, new appointments, conference papers being delivered, partnerships with external organisations, public events and seminars, staff and student achievements, and outreach work.
Examples of recent media releases can be viewed on Swinburne's online Media Centre.
The MCU offers media training sessions for staff who are likely to interact with media in their role at Swinburne. Designed to make staff feel more comfortable with the media, the session provides an overview of media practices, how you can work with the Media and Communications Unit and what you can do to increase your chances of gaining positive, accurate media coverage.
An online media training module is also available as a quick refresher for staff who have already undertaken one of our media training sessions.
The MCU also offers science communication training sessions for academics/researchers who want to improve their ability to communicate science to a non-scientific audience.
Focused on practical science communication exercises, the sessions include preparation and delivery of presentations, 'finding your voice', understanding the speaker-audience connection, making communications memorable and 'learning to love Q & A'.
To enrol in a media or science communication training sessions email Lea Kivivali at lkivivali@swin.edu.au.
Swinburne researchers and academics have expertise in a broad range of areas. The MCU is often approached by media outlets looking for experts who can comment on topical issues. Journalists contact the MCU directly, and we are also part of several expert-linking services including Xpertnet, coordinated by Macquarie University, and the Australian Science Media Centre.
Swinburne's Find An Expert database lists the expertise and research interests of Swinburne staff who are able to provide comment to the media.
Swinburne receives thousands of media hits each year in online, print and broadcast media outlets.
The MCU tracks and reports on all media coverage relating to Swinburne.
Swinburne's media policy requires all staff members to notify the MCU before they talk to the media. The media policy is not designed to restrict individuals from liaising with the media, rather it is to enhance your ability to successfully work with it. The policy allows MCU staff to give advice and editorial assistance, and it keeps us informed so that we can respond appropriately to subsequent enquiries from other media outlets or members of the public.
Lea Kivivali
Media and Communications Officer
Phone: (03) 9214 5428 or 0410 569 311
Facsimilie: (03) 9214 8383
Marlee Amiguet
Media and Communications Officer (IBL)
Ph: (03) 9214 5064
f: (03) 9214 8383