Communications, media, marketing and research: How we support members

We ensure members are kept up to date via regular, relevant communications. Below are the different ways we provide you and your team with the latest intelligence.

• Chief Executive’s newsletter
  Principals, senior leaders and chairs receive the Chief Executive’s newsletter each week, detailing the latest high-level thinking on issues critical to colleges.
• Regular alert system
  We provide regular and reliable email updates in response to the latest from government departments and agencies, need-to-know policy changes, funding and project opportunities, and news and views from across the sector.
• Weekly briefing
  All members receive our weekly policy briefing on Thursdays.
• Access to AoC website and resources
  By registering for the AoC website, members have access to a range of briefings, website content and resources.

• Principal’s Q&A
  We hold fortnightly Q&A webinars to give updates to college leaders and allow them to ask questions. The webinar is typically hosted by David Hughes, AoC’s Chief Executive, with occasional appearances from policy managers and other experts.
• Social media
  We have a large audience on social media and use LinkedIn and X to reinforce AoC key messages and activities, share sector news, amplify college voices, and strengthen the reputation of the sector.

If you have any queries, please email comms@aoc.co.uk.

How we can support your college communications

As well as keeping you up to date with all the latest announcements, we offer media training for college leaders and staff to enhance individual media activities.

We offer support when colleges need it the most and can help with crisis communications and potential negative public reputational issues.

As part of our Communications, Marketing and Campaigns Community, we send out regular newsletters and host online meetings providing a chance for marcomms professionals to come together and share best practice.

Thought leadership opportunities

Through our Think Further blog series, we offer a platform for the FE sector to provide thought leadership. College staff have the opportunity to contribute through research-led think pieces and blogs.

Media and PR

We work closely with editors and journalists from key newspapers and publications to get colleges into the news. In all that we do, our focus is on giving colleges a platform. Wherever possible and relevant, we put forward college leaders, rather than just AoC staff. Email press@aoc.co.uk to talk about media opportunities for your college.

Research

AoC carries out and supports high-quality research to help inform policy and practice in the sector and fill the significant knowledge gaps in key areas. This ranges from ad-hoc surveys and studies to support AoC’s lobbying and policy work, to large, multi-year research projects. In addition to this, we also run the Research Further scholarship programme, in partnership with NCFE and supported by Edge and ETF, which supports college staff to carry out doctorate- or masters-level study.