
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
🎄 Merry Christmas from the University of Birmingham! 🎄
Sending best wishes to our incredible community of students, staff, alumni, and friends.
Thank you for being part of our journey as we marked our 125th anniversary and for helping make Birmingham a truly special place 🌟
The University is now closed for the Christmas break & your social media team will also be taking a well-earned rest!
Thank you to everyone who has messaged, engaged & joined in with our channels this year and made this space a great place to be ❤️
We'll be back from Jan 2, 2026.
Many of our students remain on campus over this period, so visit these links for opening times and support available.
Merry Christmas all! 🎄
https://intranet.birmingham.ac.uk/student/dates/christmas/opening-times.aspx
https://intranet.birmingham.ac.uk/student/news/public/oct-dec25/wrapping-up-the-year.aspx
Our Year 7 had the most inspirational experience at the Christmas Science Lecture at the University of Birmingham! A fantastic morning! @unibirmingham
Since receiving our Royal Charter in 1900, this University has stood for a simple yet powerful idea: The belief that knowledge can change lives.
Thank you to our students, staff, alumni & partners for being part of our journey.
Watch our 125th celebration https://youtu.be/4aDuyhJJBKY
Love Shakespeare, Dame Judi Dench & family mysteries?
Tune in to Ch4’s Judi Dench: Shakespeare, My Family and Me, 9pm on 27 Dec.
Join Dame Judi and our own @EFernie from @ShakesInstitute as she tries to discover if one of her ancestors met Shakespeare https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2025/judi-dench-shakespeare-my-family-and-me
Did you miss the amazing light show projected on to the front of the Aston Webb building earlier this month to mark our 125th Anniversary?
Animated graphics brought to life the stories from our University - you can watch the full show here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JolPBvLoo2o
A new patient-led support initiative, Brum Buddies, has launched to help people aged 50+ recover after major chest or lung surgery.
Developed through a collaboration with @UHBTrust and @AgeUKBirmingham it's a space for conversation, connection & support
https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2025/new-brum-buddies-support-group-helps-chest-and-lung-surgery-patients-reconnect-and-recover-1
Tune in to BBC2 tonight at 7.30pm to cheer on UoB student Teddy Fogel, appearing on the quiz show Mastermind 👏
Teddy is a 3rd-year BSc Economics student & member of the Birmingham Quiz Society! He's also been selected for the University Challenge team for the 3rd year running!
Congratulations on the #Mastermind win Teddy! 👏
We'll see you back here for the semi finals!
Great to see our exciting Christmas on Campus event featured by Secret Birmingham! 🎄
Don't miss our special 125th anniversary event on campus - including a magnificent light show.
Everyone is invited!
📍University of Birmingham
🗓️ Weds 3 Dec
🕚 11am - 8pm
https://secretbirmingham.com/christmas-campus-market-university-birmingham/
Birmingham was the first university in the country to: be built on a campus model; establish a faculty of commerce; incorporate a medical school; offer degrees in dentistry; create a women’s hall of residence and have a purpose-built students’ union building
University of Birmingham's campus occupies a 276-acre green parkland around the University, only three miles from the heart of the city
The university has 34,160 students, more than 100,000 online learners and 300,000 alumni across the globe
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.

