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Editorial policy

Before submitting your story, you may find it useful to read the University’s Tone of Voice Guidelines and House Style.

Once you’ve sent us your story, we’ll take a look at it and decide which of the communications channels to publish it on.

If we have enough information to go on, we’ll just write or edit the piece and publish it. Due to the volume of items we receive, we don’t acknowledge receipt of individual stories.

If we need any more information from you, we’ll get back to you to find out more, or to get hold of an image.

What is news?

We use the following criteria to see if your story is suitable to be published:

  • Current
    Stories should relate to something which has just happened or is about to happen.
      
  • Of general interest
    Stories should appeal to the majority of University staff (very specialist stories will be referred to Faculty/School communications channels).
      
  • Short
    No more than 50-100 words for a short news story; 250 words for longer news story; 500 words for a one-page feature; 700 words for a double-page feature.
     
  • Easy to understand
    Avoid the use of jargon or technical language.  Remember that items will be read by a wide range of University staff, who have no in-depth knowledge of your area of work.
      
  • Written in the right style and tone
    Adopt a simple, straightforward and inclusive style (i.e. refer to staff as "we", "us" and "you", rather than "employees" and "colleagues").
      
  • Two-way communication
    If needed, include a contact name, number or email address.

We reserve the right to edit any information we receive and our decision is final.