The Vice-Chancellor of De Montfort University Leicester (DMU), who tweets as @DMUVC, has been named as one of the most influential higher education professionals using social media.
Professor Dominic Shellard has embraced social media to transform the way he communicates and engages with students, staff and the wider public.
The fact Prof Shellard is available routinely to answer queries from his 20,000-plus students and 2,000-plus staff via his @DMUVC address on Twitter, and follows back every student who follows him, has earned him the title from Jisc, a registered charity which champions the use of digital technologies in UK education and research.
Prof Shellard was named as one of 50 leading influencers, out of the thousands who regularly use social media in higher education.
The JISC commendation says: “He (Prof Shellard) offers encouragement to anxious students during exam periods or clearing, and solutions to students who may be unhappy with some aspect of their course or student experience, as well as pro-actively supporting student sport clubs and societies.
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“He also regularly embraces YouTube to offer top tips to freshers, share personal experiences and introduce new university ventures, such as #DMUglobal, a programme to encourage and facilitate travel for undergraduates to enhance their employability.”
Prof Shellard has more than 7,000 followers on Twitter and has tweeted 36,500 times to students and staff since joining DMU five years ago. He is the most active on Twitter of any university Vice-Chancellor in the UK. Prof Shellard is also keen to keep ahead with new social media platforms and has used Periscope to film major DMU events, including last week’s matriculation ceremonies for freshers.
Prof Shellard said: “It is satisfying to be recognised by JISC because they work so hard to push for higher education, and its researchers, to embrace digital technologies.
“I am delighted that so many students, staff and people from the wider community choose to engage with my @DMUVC account and I would encourage more to do so. I want to be the first to hear of any issues and concerns that our students may have.
“Given that many students prefer to use social media as a first point of contact, rather than telephone or email, I am pleased to be able to say that within the next month every member of the university’s Executive Board will be active on Twitter and available to personally interact in the same way that I do.”
Paul Hindle, who is in charge of social media in DMU’s communications team, welcomed the news.
He said: “DMU is committed to providing the best-possible experience for our students. As part of that commitment, it’s important that students can talk directly with the university’s leadership team. DMU students know that if they do have any issues or concerns, they can raise them instantly, and at any time, with the Vice-Chancellor via Twitter and can expect a personal response from Prof Shellard.
“The Jisc endorsement is heartening recognition of Prof Shellard’s desire to have this immediate engagement with students and staff via social media and reflects the wider university commitment to using all available means to encourage feedback and input from students and staff.”
You can read the Jisc report here
Posted on Tuesday 6 October 2015