W100 Representative
Jo KiteDirector of External Relations
Jo is Deputy Director of External Relations at the University of Birmingham and leads on the University’s reputation and engagement activities.
She is responsible for three directorates within the External Relations Division: Birmingham Global; Public and Cultural Engagement; and Communications and Reputation. She was previously Director of Communications and Reputation at Birmingham and has also held communications and marketing roles in the public and private sector.
As well as being a member of the World 100 Committee, she is active in other senior communications and engagement networks and has previously been Co-Chair of the Russell Group Communications Directors network.
University of Birmingham have been a member of the World 100 Reputation Network since 2016
Birmingham has been challenging and developing great minds for more than a century. Characterised by a tradition of innovation, research at the University has broken new ground, pushed forward the boundaries of knowledge, and made an impact on people’s lives. We continue this tradition today and have ambitions for a future that will embed our work and recognition of the Birmingham name on the international stage.
The University grew out of the radical vision of our first Chancellor, Joseph Chamberlain. Founded in 1900, Birmingham represented a new model for higher education. This was England’s first civic university, where students from all religions and backgrounds were accepted on an equal basis.
Birmingham has continued to be a university unafraid to do things a little differently and in response to the challenges of the day. It was a founder member of the National Union of Students.
The University of Birmingham was established by Queen Victoria by Royal Charter in 1900 and was the UK’s first civic or ‘redbrick’ university.
The Latest from University of Birmingham
Don’t miss out on 2 thought-provoking events as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science!
🏙️ Place Funding: The Local Authority Challenge
Play a simulation game & explore how councils compete for central gov funding
🗓️ Wed 5 Nov
📍 The Exchange
🔗 https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/events/place-funding-the-local-authority-challenge
The second event is:
💬 More Than Money: Where Does Financial Wellbeing Start?
Join financial education expert Prof Adele Atkinson to explore how families build financial resilience
🗓️ Wed 5 Nov
📍The Exchange
🔗 https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/events/the-exchange/125/more-than-money
How would you like to see the Sun in a new light? ☀️
Next year, we're hosting Helios - a breathtaking, illuminated sculpture by acclaimed British artist Luke Jerram, alongside a programme of research-led events
📍The Exchange, Centenary Sq
🗓️ Mar-Nov 2026
https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2025/breathtaking-illuminated-sculpture-of-the-sun-to-go-on-display-at-the-exchange
Know someone interested in studying at Birmingham? Our final open day for 2025 is soon! It's a chance to explore what it's like to live & study here whether you want to study an undergraduate or postgraduate degree
🗓️Sat 15 Nov - don't miss out, book now https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/study/visit-us
We were delighted to welcome award-winning journalist, newsreader & presenter @CliveMyrieBBC to campus this week to deliver our hugely popular Happiness Lecture.
Don't worry if you missed it; watch his fabulous lecture on our YouTube channel when it premieres
🕕6pm
🗓️Tues 28 Oct
▶️Watch the premiere of @CliveMyrieBBC's lecture at: https://youtu.be/qUrP5S28cRo?si=b4MLT3PVvxJ2-Uan
Want to learn more about the story behind the Baggs Happiness Lecture and the fascinating speakers we have welcomed over the years?
Visit: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/events/baggs-happiness-lecture
New study shows introducing ULEZ improved London’s air - but not enough. To protect health, researchers call for broader action to cut pollution from homes, industry & regional sources, not just roads.
https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2025/londons-ulez-cut-air-pollution-high-vehicle-compliance-left-little-room-for-post-expansion-gains
Ahead of the WM Regional Investment Summit today, here's what Minister for Investment @jstockwood said about his visit to Birmingham Health Innovation Campus & @PHTA_Ltd a new facility within Birmingham Health & Life Sciences District, of which this University is a key player👇
Listen up! Old Joe will provide a unique soundtrack to campus all this week 🎶
To mark our 125th anniversary our iconic clock tower will undergo a sonic intervention - every 15 minutes, 10am-5pm there will be a ‘sonic intervention’ reimagining the chimes https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/cultural-attractions/university-collections/research-learning-and-engagement/current-engagement-projects/unlock-the-clock
NOTE: Unfortunately, and rather ill timed, Old Joe is not currently telling the correct time 🫣
We hope he will take a rest this week to listen to the new chimes!
Experts from our Plastics Network are supporting the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group on Sustainable Plastics with research to guide smarter policy.
Plastics are vital but their impact demands joined-up, evidence-based action for a sustainable future.
🔗 https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2025/sustainable-plastics-appg-launches-with-focus-on-environmental-and-human-health-impacts
Our @unibirmingham plastics experts are helping UK politicians to create the policy conditions that lead to more sustainable use of plastics –as the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Sustainable Plastics met for the first time in Westminster:
https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2025/sustainable-plastics-appg-launches-with-focus-on-environmental-and-human-health-impacts @Dove_Group
A global top 100 university
University of Birmingham bring together the people and resources to tackle the major challenges of our time. The university have a global network of partnerships.
Although our partnerships are wide-ranging and span all continents, we have identified China, India, Brazil and North America as key strategic regions in which we wish to develop more focused engagement.
The university have also established networks which promote excellence in global engagement via centres such as the China Institute and Africa Hub.
We draw on and give back to the region through our research, our education and our global reach and reputation.
Mission and vision
- Excellence: We have the highest standards, knowing we can always be better
- Leadership: We shape our own future and support others’ success
- Pioneering spirit: We are the first to do things and we take calculated risks
- Purposefulness: We know our strengths, focus on our goals and persist in adversity
- Pragmatism: We are well-grounded and practical, tackling and solving problems
A research environment in which academic rigour, innovation and delivery are made possible
81%+
of Research is excellent or world leading
60+
Research fellows recruited since 2011
By investing in, and cultivating, intellectual talent and ideas, and delivering world-class research and education, we will unlock value, make important things happen, and continue to thrive.
Research that takes place at Birmingham impacts on the lives of people regionally, nationally and globally. The University is home to leading academics focusing on global sustainability research and the Sustainable Development Goals. The university’s Birmingham Heroes campaign brings together the academics who are part of a large teaching and research community dedicated to enquiry, debate and change in transforming health, environment and society.
Key research being conducted includes:
- Rail decarbonisation
- Liver transplantation
- Hydrogen-powered train
- Birmingham Plastics Network: Shaping the Fate and Sustainable Future of Plastics
- and much much more!
Become a Member
The World 100 Reputation Network is a group of the best universities in the world, delivering research that enhances reputation and offering leaders the chance to develop their own careers on a global stage. Members benefit from events and study tours, training, monthly media monitoring, and unique reputation research to provide institutional advantage.