Stuart Brown

Current

Online Communities and Conversations at The Open University

Past

Speech Writer at The Open University
Market Manager at Pearson

Education

The University of Edinburgh
The University of Manchester

Connections

86 connections

Industry

Higher Education

Stuart Brown’s Summary

I work in Online Communications focusing primarily on The Open University's web2 presences and wider engagement with the read/write web.

I am an experienced user of far too many social networks (for work, educational and personal use) and have been involved in the development of OU Facebook applications, Twitter integrations, iTunes U engagement, YouTube partnership and Open Social developments.

I have experience of planning and implementing Eadvocacy campaigns and developing communications campaigns to capitalise on the opportunities afforded by new communications channels.

I have project-managed large web developments using the Open Source CMS Drupal and have been involved in designing an organisational infrastructure and process for Drupal developments.

I have a CIPR Diploma in Public Relations and am comfortable with XHTML, CSS, PHP and MySQL.

Stuart Brown’s Specialties:

internal communications, event management, online communication, web 2.0 tools and technologies, project management, speech writing, article writing.

Stuart Brown’s Experience

Online Communities and Conversations

The Open University

(Educational Institution; 1001-5000 employees; Higher Education industry)

July 2005 — Present (4 years 6 months)

Working in online communications, investigating and using social networking, social recommendation and `people like me' marketing. Wide experience in the web2 sphere and worked to create OU Facebook applications, Netvibes Universe and YouTube channel (and much more!).
Core team member for Collaborative Learning using Social Tools for Enquiry Reflection and Sharing project which provided OU staff with hands on experience / understanding of web2 tools and technologies. Currently involved in `Social Networking for Practice Learning' which will extend this work both within and without the OU.

Previously organised the Vice-Chancellor's Strategic and Open Forums, administered/authored material for staff communication via print, online, email and was closely involved in staff communication and engagement during our rebranding process.
Advised major projects on internal communications strategy including the e-communications strategy and the Learning Experience Advancement Programme.
Speech Writer

The Open University

(Educational Institution; 10,001 or more employees; Higher Education industry)

September 2003 — July 2005 (1 year 11 months)

I joined The Open University to research and draft speeches and newspaper articles for the Vice-Chancellor of The Open University Professor Brenda Gourley.
Market Manager

Pearson

(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; Publishing industry)

September 2000 — July 2002 (1 year 11 months)

After involvement in the Pearson Graduate Trainee Scheme I became representative for Dorling Kindersley markets in Portugal, France, Germany and Canada.
This involved overseeing stock levels, print runs, shipping, translation and finance of these markets.