The World 100 Annual Conference: Sydney 2023

W100 Annual Conference 2023: The University of Sydney

The 2023 World 100 Annual Conference was hosted by The University of Sydney on 28 and 29 September.

 

The World 100 Annual Conference brings together professionals from top universities around the globe to discuss the latest trends, best practices, and case studies in the fields of communications and marketing. Attendees are given the opportunity to network, learn from keynote speakers, and participate in interactive workshops and panel discussions.

This year’s theme ‘Connecting for Greatness: Building Reputation Through Collaboration’ gave delegates the chance to explore how universities can grow their reputation and increase their influence through their stakeholders, other institutions, and the world around them.


Session highlights:

Reputation and Leadership: Presidents in conversation | Prof. Mark Scott from The University of Sydney, Prof. Evelyn Welch from The University of Bristol & Prof. Rocky Tuan from The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Rankings, Reputation and Impact | Phil Baty & Duncan Ross, Times Higher Education

Triple Helix Model of Modern Public University | Kent Anderson, University of Newcastle

Rise of the Machines: How generative AI might influence university marketing and communications | Sandra Peter, University of Sydney Business School & Professor Merlin Crossley, UNSW

Building a Coalition of the Willing: universities & industry | Kirsten Andrews, The University of Sydney and Alistair Jarvis, The University of London

Study Tour | 2 - 3 October 2023

This year’s members’ study tour was kindly hosted by The University of Melbourne on 2 & 3 October 2023.

Bookings for The World 100 Conference are subject to terms and conditions. 

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World 100 Asia networking THE Asia Universities Summit

World 100 Live Asia: The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

The World 100 Reputation Network is pleased to announce that we will be hosting a networking session for our APAC members and other leading universities in the region on Tuesday 20 June.

The session, hosted by The Chinese University of Hong Kong will take place prior to the THE Asia Universities Summit on 21-23 June 2023 and will offer delegates the chance to hear from leading voices in the sector as well as the opportunity to network with peers.

The event will feature a series of interactive sessions exploring key elements of reputation within the APAC region. View the full schedule below.

By attending our event you are also eligible for a free ticket to THE Asia Universities Summit. Details on how to claim your free ticket will be sent to you via email.

The Schedule

Tour of CUHK

1100 - 1200  (HKT)

Networking lunch

1200 - 1300  (HKT)

Title

Presenters

Time

Opening remarks from Laurie Pearcey & Mark Sudbury
1300 - 1305 (HKT)
Session 1: 
Storytelling in a new geo-political environment – positioning Asian universities in the East–West dialogue
Panel chaired by CUHK and featuring World 100 members
1305 - 1345 (HKT)

Session 2
Global perception of Asian universities – Insights from THE Consultancy
Mei Mei Lim, Senior Higher Education Consultant, Times Higher Education & Elizabeth Shepherd, Managing Director, Consultancy, Times Higher Education
1345 - 1430 (HKT)

Refreshment break
1430 - 1500 (HKT)

Session 3:
Current trends in global university reputation - World 100 Network Reputation research insights
Mark Sudbury, Head, The World 100 Reputation Network
1500 - 1540 (HKT)

Session 4:
Working with the media in Asia – question-time with current and former journalists covering higher education in Asia
Gary Cheung, Deputy Director, Communications and Public Relations
Chris Lau, Breaking News Writer, CNN
Pola Lem, Asia Reporter, Times Higher Education
Moderator: Mark Sudbury
1540 - 1630 (HKT)

Summary and closing remarks
1630 - 1645 (HKT)

Networking drinks

1645 - 1730  (HKT)


World 100 Live

World 100 Live 2022: London, United Kingdom

World 100 Live is back for 2022. This member-only event will take place at the Hilton Metropole, London on Wednesday 16 November. This event is a fantastic networking opportunity, and offers members in the UK and Europe the chance to discuss and debate some of the key issues in higher education reputation.

The programme featured speakers from member institutions from across Europe and includes a delegate dinner to further the networking opportunities.

W100 Members can attend the W100 LIVE sessions free of charge*. There will be a charge of £50 per person for the dinner.

Email Sarah Thomas to book your place.  Places are strictly limited so please book as soon as you can to avoid disappointment; *1 place per member university – we will run a waiting list for additional delegates from the same university.


The event, although separate, will run parallel to THE Campus Live UK & Ire and THE awards, which runs on both 16 & 17 November at the same venue. The timings of World 100 Live allow members to attend THE Campus LIVE. As part of the 2022-2023 membership offer, World 100 Reputation Network members can claim one free ticket to THE Campus Live, and a 50% discount on additional places. Please contact us for the code. 

The Schedule

Title

Presenters

Time


Coffee & Tea
16:30 PM (GMT) - 16:45 PM (GMT)

Session 1: 
King's College London and the ZOE App - building reputation in a crisis without a budget.
Tanya Wood, Senior Communications Business Partner, King’s College London
16:45 PM (GMT) - 17:15 PM (GMT)

Session 2
How do universities stand out? The World 100 Network annual project – update
Mark Sudbury, Head, The World 100 Reputation Network

Rowen Elliot, Senior Insight Analyst, The World 100 Reputation Network

17:15 PM (GMT) - 17:45 PM (GMT)

Session 3:
The changing role of science press officers.
Fiona Fox, CEO, The Science Media Centre
17:45 PM (GMT) - 18:15 PM (GMT)

Drinks and Dinner
18:30 PM (GMT)

ACCESS EVENT MATERIALS AND VIDEOS BELOW

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Montreal Conference 2022

W100 Annual Conference 2022: Montréal, Canada

2022 saw the return of the face-to-face World 100 Annual Conference, three years since the last event in Manchester. The event took place in beautiful Montréal, Canada, and in a change to previous conferences, was hosted by two of the world’s leading universities: Concordia University and McGill University, with a day allocated to each institution. The World 100, Network members and a myriad of higher education experts came together to explore the future of reputation in higher education with a focus on connectivity and innovation.

The theme reflected the vast growth and developments higher education has seen over recent years, whether it be down to changes demanded by COVID-19 or changes that reflect ongoing societal issues and student demands.

The return of the in-person conference also saw a return of the members’ study tour, where delegates visited the campuses of further prestigious, member institutions based in Canada, University of Toronto and McMaster University. World 100 Study tours offer delegates exclusive access to unique reputational assets of the host university and the opportunity to hold strategic discussions with senior university staff.

2022 Montréal Conference Programme
View the Agenda

Scroll down to download the presentations from this conference


Session highlights:

Reputation Building and Storytelling | Prof. Mark Scott, The University of Sydney

Rankings, Reputation and Impact | Phil Baty & Duncan Ross, Times Higher Education

The Reputational Challenges of the Free Speech agenda | Scott Jaschik, Inside Higher Ed

Structures for Delivering Effective External Relations | Elan Macdonald, University of Alberta

Strategies for Engaging Stakeholders | Santiago Fernández-Gubieda Lacalle, University of Navarra

Our Speakers

Mark Scott The University of Sydney

Mark Scott
The University of Sydney

Scott Jaschik Inside Higher Ed

Scott Jaschik
Inside Higher Ed

Phil Baty
Times Higher Education

Duncan Ross

Duncan Ross
Times Higher Education

Elan Macdonald
University of Alberta

Santiago Fernández-Gubieda Director of the Reputation Unit

Santiago Fernández-Gubieda
University of Navarra

Kirsten Andrews

Kirsten Andrews
The University of Sydney

Derek Ruths, Professor of Computer Science and Co-Founder of Charitable Analytics International

Derek Ruths
McGill University & Charitable Analytics International

Gina Cody, Concordia alumnus and donor to the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science

Gina Cody
University of Concordia (Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science)

Andrew Simmons

Andrew Simmons
The University of Manchester

Anne Whitelaw

Dr. Anne Whitelaw
Concordia University

Dr. Faye Diamantoudi
Concordia University

Paula Wood-Adams
Concordia University

Lacea Loader
University of The Free State

Study Tour | 17-18 October 2022

This year’s members’ study tour, was hosted by not one, but two leading universities: The University of Toronto and McMaster University. Members got the opportunity to hear from key representatives at both universities, as well as explore their campuses and more.

Bookings for The World 100 Conference are subject to terms and conditions. 

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Password: w100montreal22

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.

find out more


World 100 Live

World 100 Live 2021: London, United Kingdom

With much of the world still in the midst of a pandemic and most international travel restricted, the 2021 World 100 Annual Conference is taking a new format. Unlike 2020, when everything was an online necessity, we wanted to try and give those who could be with us in person a chance to do so.

Therefore, after months of online-only events, World 100 Live gives UK and European members the chance to reunite in person and hear from experts on a variety of issues pertinent to higher education reputation in 2021.

We will be running a series of regional World 100 Conferences during the 2021/2022 membership year that will offer the best opportunity (given pandemic uncertainties) of providing the face-to-face engagement that our members value so highly, and the ability to engage with leading speakers focusing on the key issues in higher education reputation management.

These regional events will take place in three key regions: Europe & the UK; the APAC region and North America.

The first of these was W100 Live and took place in London, UK, on November 24 2021.

The programme featured speakers from member institutions from across Europe and included a delegate dinner, giving attendees a return to the networking of previous conferences that we’ve been missing for so long.

The event, although separate, ran parallel to THE Campus Live UK and THE awards and formed part of this year’s conference series which sees The World 100 Annual Conference replaced with three regional in-person or hybrid events in three regions of the globe.


SPEAKERS

jane chafer - University of Exeter

Jane Chafer, University of Exeter
Garth Davies, University of Exeter

Garth Davies, University of Exeter

Rachel Sandison, The University of Glasgow
Santiago Fernández-Gubieda Director of the Reputation Unit

Santiago Fernández-Gubieda, University of Navarra
john gill

John Gill, Times Higher Education

The Schedule

Title

Presenters

Time


Networking Lunch, including Q & A with John Gill, Editor of THE
12:00 PM (GMT) - 13:15 PM (GMT)

Session 1: 
A Reputation for Sustainability - how universities are leveraging their green impact to build profile
Jane Chafer, University of Exeter
Garth Davies, University of Exeter
Rachel Sandison, The University of Glasgow
13:15 PM (GMT) - 14:10 PM (GMT)

Session 2
Consulting the Oracle – an expert approach to understanding reputation using the Delphi technique
Santiago Fernández-Gubieda, University of Navarra
14:10 PM (GMT) - 15:00 PM (GMT)

Refreshments & Networking
15:00 PM (GMT) - 15:30 PM (GMT)

Session 3: The Reputation Opportunity
A chance to explore and discuss the 2020/2021 research project which looks at reputational gain leveraged from research and communications conducted during COVID-19
Mark Sudbury, The World 100
15:30 PM (GMT) - 16:15 PM (GMT)

Drinks and Dinner
18:00 PM (GMT)

The Venue

World 100 Live was held at London Hilton, Metropole Hotel London, UK. Opposite Edgware Road tube station, the hotel is less than a mile from Hyde Park, Oxford Street, Marble Arch, and Paddington Station, which has express trains to Heathrow Airport.

COVID POLICY

covid policy W100Live

The World 100 acknowledges the ongoing COVID-19 crisis in the UK and accepts its obligation to comply with any official guidance from UK Government. The World 100 agrees to communicate without delay any issues it may have in delivering the conference as it has been marketed. Delegates acknowledge that COVID-19 may require The World 100 to take one or more of the following measures for the safety of the venue staff and the safety of delegates attending the event:

(i) impose maximum delegate numbers at the event;
(ii) limit food or drink availability;
(iii) impose specific requirements regarding personal protective equipment such as the wearing of masks;
(iv) offer a hybrid or fully virtual version of the conference;
Please be considerate of your peers and give people extra space.

In line with government advice, we are encouraging delegates to self-test before attending an event to ensure they do not have COVID-19. If positive, please stay away from the event to protect your colleagues and our staff and book a PCR test immediately.
We will not be asking for a ‘vaccine passport’ when attending an event, however, we do encourage clients to get both doses (and a booster if eligible) of the coronavirus vaccine.
If you are displaying any covid symptoms, please do not attend our event.

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.

find out more


tracker symposium banner

2021 World 100 Tracker Symposium

Join us for a free online Reputation Symposium to discuss the latest trends impacting UK universities, with leaders in communications and marketing from world-ranked institutions. 

Learn how current members of the W100 Reputation Tracker are using the insights from surveys with 13 audiences in communications & marketing activity and institutional decision-making.

Be the first the hear about new developments in surveying international reputation and opportunities for exploiting synergies between the W100 Reputation Network and THE, the leading higher education data company. 

The 2021 Symposium will take place virtually on January 20th.
The first hour of the meeting (2pm -3pm) will be dedicated to current members. The schedule for institutions that are not currently members is included below.


Symposium Schedule


PART 1 – CLOSED MEETING FOR MEMBERS
14:00 – Meeting for current Tracker members

PART 2 – OPEN MEETING FOR EVERYONE
15:15 – Intro and welcome to potential members
15:25 – W100 Tracker overview – how it works
15:40 – Insights #1 from current UK Tracker member and discussion
15:55 – Insights #2 from current UK Tracker member and discussion
16:10 – Insights #3 from International Tracker participant and discussion
16:25 – Changes and developments 

Register for the W100 Tracker Symposium

2019 Tracker Symposium


Due to the ongoing pandemic, we are unable to meet face-to-face as we usually would. However, we hope to provide the same level of insight that we would if we were all together. Click the button below to find out more about last year’s event and get a clearer idea of what the symposium offers.

Read More about the 2019 Tracker Symposium

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.

find out more


W100 Virtual Annual Conference

W100 Annual Virtual Conference 2020: Worldwide

The W100 virtual annual conference Reimagining University Reputation: Evolution and Change was held between 2– 6 November 2020.

Thank you to everyone who joined us online for the first World 100 virtual conference.

Operating as a week-long ‘festival of reputation’, the conference included top speakers on the key issues facing the sector as we adjust to the new environment driven by the pandemic. There were also opportunities to network with colleagues across the world.

The virtual conference was a key part of the 2020-21 W100 membership year, which will also feature new initiatives including a bespoke reputation workshop for each member, regional W100 events, free tickets to Times Higher Education summits, and more networking and training opportunities. Full details are available to members.

Access on-demand content [Ticket Holders Only]
World 100 Virtual Conference

Topics covered


The role of reputation is even more important in the new global post-pandemic environment, and so the conference addresed key issues around areas including:

  • New ways of working, including the role of technology
  • Structures and resources in a time of financial constraints but increased demand
  • Communicating change with students
  • Advancing the brand during a crisis
  • Has the role of science been advanced and how do universities capitalise?
  • How do we measure reputation on the new world?

Many of the workshops at the virtual conference were led by W100 members, sharing their own perspectives on challenges and opportunities.

Find out more about the sessions and speakers below:

Speakers

catherine priestley

Catherine Priestley
Astrazeneca

Dan Dillon

Dan Dillon
Arizona State University

Duncan Ross

Duncan Ross
Times Higher Education

Andrea Farqhuar

Andrea Farquhar
McMaster University

Kirsten Andrews

Kirsten Andrews
The University of Sydney

Alex Lawson

Alex Lawson
McMaster University

Anders Frolund

Anders Frølund
Aarhus University

liz mcmillen

Liz McMillen
The Chronicle of Higher Education

Alan Ferns

Alan Ferns
The University of Manchester

Abi Kelly

Abi Kelly
RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences

Danita Knight
Agnes Scott College

Michael Schoenfeld
Duke University

Teresa Flannery
SUNY Stonybrook University

Bryan Alexander
Georgetown University

Prof Ylva Rodny-Gumede
University of Johannesburg

Lebethe Malefo
University of Johannesburg

Dr Miguel Antonio Lim
The University of Manchester

Ntombise Mangqase
University of Johannesburg

Philippe Beauregard
Concordia University

Johanna Lowe

Johanna Lowe
The University of Sydney

David Estok

David Estok
University of Toronto

World Leadership and Management Summit

Other Conference Benefits Included:

  • Opportunities to network with colleagues around the world
  • The chance to put your questions to leading reputation experts
  • Repeated sessions to allow for different time zones
  • The virtual conference will also give ticket holders access to our THE Leadership and Management session which will be held during the week

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.

find out more


Discover Australia 2018

Discover Australia: 2019

The 2019 Discover Australia event was hosted by The University of Sydney, on Monday 1st July 2019.

This free networking event was open to all current and eligible Australian members and offered an opportunity to discuss reputation in Higher Education and current reputation issues facing Australian universities and around the globe.  

W100 shared insights about global university reputation gained through the research undertaken by the network. Recent projects have included how academics fill in rankings surveys, the role of reputation in PhD recruitment, and online global university brands. We also discussed new ways of measuring reputation beyond the rankings.


Event Highlights


Australian W100 Member Perspectives | Tania Rhodes-Taylor, Fiona Docherty, and Tracy Chalk

W100 Reputation Insights 1: Highlights from W100 research projects, including the role of reputation in PhD recruitment and how academics engage with reputation rankings | Mark Sudbury

New ways of measuring reputation: W100 Reputation Tracker | Mark Sudbury

Workshop: Current reputation challenges for Australian universities | Tania Rhodes-Taylor and Professor Marc Stears

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.

find out more


W100 Annual Conference 2019: Manchester, UK

The World 100 Reputation Network Conference is the key annual opportunity for highly ranked universities - both members and non-members - to share reputational achievements.

The W100 Annual Conference 2019 took place at The University of Manchester in Manchester, UK, from 9 – 11 September. Sally Sykes, Director of Communications and Marketing, and Alan Ferns, Associate Vice-President of External Relations and Reputation, were our hosts. The conference focused on how universities can build reputation through working with their communities and wider society.

The theme ‘A Reputation for Relevance – Universities Engaging with Society’ allowed us to explore how universities are building a reputation for working with local communities; how students are prepared for roles as citizens; how we prove higher education is contributing to society.


Conference Highlights


Taking science to the masses | Professor Brian Cox OBE, The University of Manchester
Britain’s most popular cosmologist and Renaissance man takes us behind the scenes of some of his global engagement and the impacts it has had on physics and Manchester. 

Dutch City Innovation Ignition | Rowinda Appelman, Dutch Government
How 19 Dutch cities are driving innovation in education.

Demonstrating impact | Nicky Old, Universities UK
The story and purpose behind #MadeAtUni – a campaign to brings to life the impact of universities on people, lives and communities. 

The Liberty Paradox | Monique Mourits, Utrecht University & Renee Merkx, Leiden University
How should universities respond to freedom of speech challenges in relation to developments in both social media and in politics?

Our Speakers

Professor Brian Cox OBE
The University of Manchester

Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell
The University of Manchester

Johanna-Lowe-Sydney

Johanna Lowe
The University of Sydney

Renee Merkx
Leiden University

Nicky Old
Universities UK

Rowinda Appelman
Dutch Government

David Estok

David Estok
University of Toronto

Jonathan Grant
King’s College London

Philippe Beauregard
Concordia University

Monique Mourits
Utrecht University

Members Day | 9 September 2019

Our Manchester hosts put together a fantastic Members’ Day*, with an optional trip to Old Trafford stadium, home of Manchester United, or to the BBC studios in Salford. This was followed by a boat trip along the canal from Salford Quays to Castlefield and a walking tour of the city. The Members’ Day dinner took place in the awe-inspiring Living Worlds gallery at the Manchester Museum.

*Members only – one place per institution

Study Tour | 12-13 September 2019

Following the conference in Manchester, a group of W100 members headed across to Belfast for a couple of days at Queen’s University Belfast – a prestigious Russell Group UK university which is building a global reputation. Guests heard about the university’s unique challenges around research communications, with senior staff leading sessions and in-depth discussions, and there was also a chance to experience the vibrant city of Belfast and its many cultural attractions.

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.

find out more


Virtual Academy

Reputation Academy

About the Reputation Academy

High-level training for Communications, Marketing, and International staff in global universities.

The World 100 Reputation Academy is an intensive practical reputation training programme that has helped over 100 people improve their knowledge around university reputation.

Aimed at professional communications, marketing, and international staff in international World 100 universities, with pre-director or first-director level experience, World 100 Reputation Academies build practical and strategic skills that can be applied to support reputation, strengthen recruitment and deepen brand distinction.

The academy operates in both a face-to-face format and an online format. We will be running a mix of both throughout 2024.

THE NEXT REPUTATION ACADEMY

MENA Reputation Academy 17-18 April

We are pleased to announce that the rescheduled Abu Dhabi Reputation Academy event will now take place online on 17-18 April 2024.

 

World 100 Reputation Academy hosted by UCL 11 – 13 June

The next in-person World 100 Reputation Academy will take place in London over three days, giving delegates access to interactive sessions led by our highly experienced trainers, as well as the opportunity to network with each other.

Find out more and book your place here.

The Training

The following topics are typically covered:

  • A strategic approach to planning reputation management
  • Developing and researching a brand position
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Internal communications
  • Resources and structures for delivering reputation management
  • Communicating research
  • Crisis communications
  • Brand campaigns and marketing
  • Rankings strategies
  • Measurement and evaluation

Explore some of the topics in more detail in our blog post ‘Five Ways to Manage Your University’s Reputation’

WHO SHOULD ATTEND THE ACADEMY?

The Academy is suitable for Managers, Heads and similar of the following departments:

Communications

Marketing

International

Delegates do not need to be from universities that are members of the Network, although W100 members will be given priority booking.

Experts on The World 100 Reputation Academy Training Panel include:

Alan Ferns

Alan Ferns

Formerly Associate Vice-President for
External Relations and Reputation
The University of Manchester

Abi Kelly

Director of International Engagement and External Relations
RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences

Andrea Farquhar

Andrea Farquhar

Chief Executive, Internal and External Engagement
McMaster University

TRACY CHALK

Tracy Chalk

Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
University of Technology Sydney

Jo Kite University of Birmingham

Jo Kite

Deputy Director of External Relations
University of Birmingham

Santiago Fernández-Gubieda Lacalle

Santiago Fernández-Gubieda Lacalle

Director of the Reputation Unit
University of Navarra

Duncan Ross

Duncan Ross

Chief Data Officer
Times Higher Education

Mark Sudbury

Mark Sudbury

Head of World 100 & Reputation
The World 100

Previous Academy Feedback

Agree that the Academy content has helped them develop a fuller understanding of communications and brand to apply in the workplace

Strongly agree that what they learned at the reputation academy will support their personal career development

Agree that the social events at the Reputation Academy were good and provided a relaxed environment for networking


2018 UBC Conference

W100 Annual Conference 2018: UBC, Canada

The World 100 Reputation Network Conference is the key annual opportunity for highly ranked universities - both members and non-members - to share reputational achievements.

The W100 Annual Conference 2018 took place at The University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver, Canada, from 26 – 28 September. Philip Steenkamp, Vice President, External Relations at The University of British Columbia, was our host. The conference focused on how universities stand out and differentiate themselves on a global scale.

The theme ‘Differentiation and the World-Class University’ allowed us to explore how universities can stand out from the pack as global competition increases and academia comes under greater scrutiny in an increasingly turbulent media environment.

The conference had a strong Canadian presence, with speakers from UBC, Western University, University of Toronto, Destination Canada and even Hootsuite, the innovative social media company based in Vancouver. The rest of the world was also represented with speakers from Australia, Europe and USA.


Conference Highlights


Brand Building in a Bow-tie | Professor Santa J Ono, The University of British Columbia
UBC’s President and Vice-Chancellor explores how a strong, authentic brand differentiates UBC, and how as president he works to build the brand through authentic leadership.

Managing a Public Brand | Bryan Daisley & Alanya Cannon, University of Washington
How the UW manages a brand and a comprehensive campaign in the public eye.

Building a Reputation through High-profile Conferences | Anders Frølund, Aarhus University
The unique collaboration between the city, the private sector and the University and the connection between hosting international conferences and recruitment of international researchers.

University Reputation: What Attracts High School Students | Professor Masahiro Okamoto, Kyushu University
What are the current educational backgrounds and problems of high schools and undergraduate schools in Japan, and what attracts high school students?

Digital Differentiation | Naqaash Pirani, Hootsuite
Insights on how to differentiate your University’s brand using social media.

Our Speakers

Professor Santa J Ono
The University of British Columbia

Professor Masahiro Okamoto
Kyushu University

David Estok

David Estok
The University of Toronto

Tania Rhodes-Taylor

Tania Rhodes-Taylor
The University of Sydney

Bryan Daisley
University of Washington

Philip Steenkamp
The University of British Columbia

Jacqui Marshall
University of Exeter

Naqaash Pirani
Hootsuite

Elizabeth Parkinson
University of Michigan

Professor Niraj Dawar
Western University

Anders Frølund
Aarhus University

Members Day | 26 September 2018

Our Vancouver hosts put together a fantastic Members’ Day, starting with a trip to Grouse Mountain and a private wildlife ranger interpretive session with resident grizzly bears, followed by lunch at the Observatory. Members explored Grouse Mountain (including the great gift shop!) with an optional Lumberjack show. Members spent the evening at The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts with American theoretical physicist and futurist Michio Kaku, followed by a reception at the Great Performer’s Lounge with drinks and canapés.

Study Tour | 24-25 September 2018

Before the conference in Vancouver, a group of W100 members headed across the boarder to Seattle for a couple of days at the University of Washington – a prestigious US public research university with an impressive global reputation. During the visit, members learned about the UW’s pioneering Global Innovation Exchange (GIX) — a partnership between the University of Washington and China’s Tsinghua University, with support from Microsoft, joined Vice President for Innovation Strategy Vikram Jandhyala for an inside look at CoMotion, the UW’s collaborative innovation hub and toured the beautiful, historic campus. Members also had the quintessential Seattle experiences, including a coffee tasting at TK and dinner at the iconic Ray’s Boathouse.

Study Tour | 1-2 October 2018

Following the UBC conference, a group of W100 members travelled to Calgary for a weekend of exploration before spending two days at the University of Calgary – one of Canada’s top comprehensive research universities which is building a global reputation. Members learned about the strategic areas of research strength and teaching expertise at the University of Calgary — areas that anchor their efforts in national and international reputation-building. Members also experienced a night at the Glenbow Museum, enjoying cocktails and dinner featuring Canadian local and Indigenous-inspired cuisine while learning about the Alberta ‘mavericks’.

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.

find out more


2017 Utrecht Conference

W100 Annual Conference 2017: Utrecht, Netherlands

The World 100 Reputation Network Conference is the key annual opportunity for highly ranked universities - both members and non-members - to share reputational achievements.

The W100 Annual Conference 2017 took place at Utrecht University in Utrecht, the Netherlands, from 4 – 6 October. Cor Jansen, Director of Regional Co-operation and Strategic Alliances, Utrecht University, was our host. The conference focused on how universities work to influence on a global scale, which the world-leading Dutch are well-versed in.

The theme ‘Circles of Influence: Putting your University at the Heart of the Conversation’ recognises that in this dynamic environment, universities need to be at the very heart of the conversation and be proactive in contributing to its pace and rhythm.

We had a range of international speakers with other perspectives which shined a light on opportunities and challenges surrounding the topic of influence in different parts of the world. We examined how American universities are navigating changing times, new techniques in student recruitment, city influence, connecting with employers and industry and how leading academics are influencing global research.


Conference Highlights


Beyond degrees: NUS’ approach to attracting millennials | Arlene Tan, National University of Singapore
Insights and ideas on how to engage millennials wanting an education that is just beyond degrees, plus a look at NUS’ admissions publicity campaign.

American universities: navigating in changing times | Joanna Regulska, University of California, Davis
The challenges, but also the dynamic opportunities, American universities face in a constantly evolving environment.

City influence: Brand, engagement and civic power | Tania Rhodes-Taylor, The University of Sydney and Alan Ferns, The University of Manchester
Considering the role of place in reputation strategy, what are the challenges and opportunities presented by a City brand and in what way can universities leverage or overcome these?

Connecting with employers and industry to strengthen global influence | Dasha Karzunina, QS Intelligence Unit
How universities can best engage with employers in a meaningful way, in order to strengthen their influence.

Flexing social media: the use of Weibo | Katherine Ma, University of Hong Kong
How The University of Hong Kong uses Weibo, one of the most popular social media sites in China and fast rising in the western world, to engage mainland Chinese students.

Our Speakers

Bert van der Zwaan
Utrecht University

Saskia Kapinga
Royal Dutch Shell

Cor Jansen
Utrecht University

Joanna Regulska
University of California, Davis

James Kennedy
Utrecht University College

Diane Kenyon
University of Calgary

Rachel Sandison
University of Glasgow

Jessica Winters
Utrecht University

Denis-Ancion Maastricht University

Denis Ancion
Maastricht University

Andrea Farqhuar

Andrea Farquhar
McMaster University

Alan Ferns

Alan Ferns
The University of Manchester

Members Day | 4 October 2017

Our Utrecht hosts put together a fantastic Members’ Day, starting with a boat tour along the beautiful canals of Utrecht, followed by a buffet lunch at the Paushuize (House of the Pope). Members explored Utrecht with a guided tour around the city and a visit to the Central Museum. Those looking to network with colleagues could then visit the Partnership Lounge in the Karel V hotel, and the evening ending with the member’s dinner at Museum Speelklok.

Study Tour | 2-3 October 2017

Before the conference in Utrecht, a group of W100 members first headed to the city of Groningen for a couple of days at the University of Groningen – a top public research university and the second-oldest university in the Netherlands. During the visit, members learned about the University of Groningen brand and overseas expansion, plus the university’s campaigns, Nobel Prizes, and impactful research. Members also experienced a tour of historic university, explored the city and had drinks and dinner.

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.

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