Being an NIHR comms lead

Our NIHR comms leads manage comms on a full time or part time basis in our research infrastructure, or for a school, unit or other service or collaboration. They play a huge role in helping us share research news, case studies and other developments arising from their regional or specialist area across NIHR. 

The comms lead role

Comms leads are very knowledgeable about their area of NIHR and the work they produce. They are a key contact point for their coordinating centre’s communications team.

Comms leads work alongside other colleagues to showcase how NIHR-funded research is driving innovation and creating benefits for patients, the public, health and care/social care systems and for broader economic gain.

Many of our comms leads have the following responsibilities:

Using the NIHR name, identity and acknowledgement

• Naming and linking to the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) on all press announcements and channels. They are responsible for keeping any use of the NIHR name up-to-date, including by researchers 

• Applying the current NIHR visual identity and assigned name and logo across all activities and materials, including signage

• Following the NIHR style guide and tone of voice 

• Supporting researchers, partners and users of NIHR facilities, expertise and services to acknowledge the NIHR in research outputs.

• We have a ‘Supported by NIHR’ logo that can be used as needed by partners and other users of the facilities, service or expertise.

Managing media relations and issuing press releases

• Performing media relations, or supporting media relations in partnership with their host and/or partner institutions

• Notifying the relevant coordinating centre who will liaise with the NIHR press office about any relevant press releases and acknowledgements

Setting up and managing NIHR channels

• Opting to set up social media channels - such as X/Twitter, LinkedIn or YouTube - to support comms and national NIHR activities - using the NIHR logo for social media

• Aligning channel names with NIHR naming protocols and linking each channel to the relevant corporate NIHR platform. Read about naming NIHR social media channels on our ‘Social media setup for comms leads’ page for further details

• Ensuring that any posts within a host’s wider (non-NIHR) research feed reflect the NIHR’s visual identity so that the post is visibly NIHR-related

• Commissioning and maintaining a stand alone website on the NIHR subdomain (or web pages on their host site) that meets NIHR website requirements, including the Acceptable Use Policy

• Providing a relationship statement on websites/web pages, naming the host institutions involved in the NIHR enterprise. This applies whether the service is part of the NIHR research infrastructure or a school, unit or other service or collaboration

Planning events

• Being aware of renewed expectations in relation to use of public money for:

  • • merchandise

    • posters, banners and similar

    • staff events and awaydays

• Planning events and materials in line with the revised NIHR policy in place governing this activity

Supporting NIHR’s communications plan

Our comms leads also have a part to play in supporting delivery of our communications plan for 2022-25, so that:

• health and care professionals, patients and the public engage with research

• external stakeholders value, trust and engage with NIHR and its research

• internal stakeholders feel part of NIHR and function as advocates

• NIHR is known for its strategic priorities and demonstrates thought leadership

• NIHR’s digital channels are engaging, inclusive and integrated

• communications delivers a sustainable, ‘One NIHR’ service

Our plan is managed through the NIHR Communications Programme Board and delivered by its working teams and coordinating centre comms staff.

Wider comms leads are also key to delivery of the plan by sharing content and amplifying national NIHR campaigns, such as Be Part of Research. We regularly encourage comms leads to put forward case studies and other content to be considered for inclusion on NIHR corporate channels.

Keeping in touch

Please tell us the name and contact details of your comms lead(s). This will help us keep you informed of activities such as Annual Comms Event and flag other updates and requirements.

Contact Kate Paul in the NIHR Coordinating Centre with the details - kate.paul@nihr.ac.uk.