About THE World 100 Reputation Network
The World 100 Reputation Network is the only professional network for reputation managers in the world’s best universities, exploring reputation, communications, strategy, crisis, marketing and international partnerships. Membership is exclusive to institutions ranked in the top 200 of any of the global rankings published by THE, QS, ARWU, US News Best Global Universities Ranking, and the top 100 universities in the THE Impact Ranking.
Now comprising members from all over the world, we believe that our international diversity is one of the reasons members find the Network so valuable.
Although global in outlook the Network offers members the opportunity to become part of a ‘local’ community, existing to share good practice, transfer knowledge and overcome common challenges.
The Network engages in one annual research project that pushes forward the boundaries of knowledge around reputation and helps those in charge of their university’s image to understand it and better amplify it.
Professional development and institutional amplification form part of the value of member gatherings.
The World 100 Network gives its members privileged access and exposure at a variety of educational and cultural places.
Formed in 2007
Industry research projects
Universities tracked in the Reputation Tracker
Of members improved their academic reputation scores in the 2021 QS Rankings
“It's the only one [network] that gives me a peer group that I know are equally, if not more, experienced than I am”
Tania Rhodes-Taylor, Executive Director, Communications and External Affairs, King's College London
Membership Eligibility
Membership is per institution, and each university nominates a senior member of staff who will represent his/her institution in the Network. This is typically a director with responsibility for communications, international, marketing, corporate affairs, development or public engagement.
Membership is exclusive to universities in the top 200 of the following world rankings:
Times Higher Education World University Rankings
QS World University Ranking
Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU)
US News & World Report Best Global Universities
Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings
Or the top 100 of:
Times Higher Education Young Universities
Times Higher Education Impact Rankings
THE World 100 Committee
Tania Rhodes-Taylor (Chair)
Tania Rhodes-Taylor is Executive Director of Communications and External Affairs at King’s College London. She has worked in higher education since 2007, previously holding senior positions at the University of Sydney, Queen Mary University of London and University College London. This followed a successful career in the corporate and charity sectors, which included the National Literacy Trust and Unisys. Having worked in Australia, Hong Kong and the US, she brings an international perspective to her work. She is also a qualified and accredited executive coach.
Andrea Farquhar
Having retired as McMaster University's Chief Executive Internal and External Engagement in April 2025, and after serving as Chair of THE World 100 Committee for 9 years (until September 2025), Andrea now provides executive level leadership and strategy in reputation and issues management, internal and external communications, marketing, stakeholder relations and government relations within the higher education sector. Integration across these areas leads to greater results and strengthens the ability of universities to face the future with confidence.
Jo Kite
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.
Santiago Fernández-Gubieda Lacalle
Santiago Fernández-Gubieda Lacalle is the Director of the Reputation Unit at the University of Navarra. As well as this, he is the bursar of the Center of University Governance and Reputation at the University of Navarra.
Johanna Lowe
Jo is Chief Marketing and Communications officer at The University of Sydney. Jo joined the University of Sydney in 2013 to lead the newly centralised marketing function and a refresh of the brand strategy. Jo leads a talented and creative marketing and communications team responsible for building reputation and advocacy with current and future students, parents, alumni, donors, industry, and staff.
Shirley Chong
Shirley Chong joined City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) in 2016 and currently serves as the Director of Communications and Institutional Research (DCIRO). In this role, she plays a pivotal part in shaping the university’s communication and ranking strategies to ensure alignment with its strategic objectives. Ms. Chong holds a Master of Science in Marketing Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences with a major in Communications. She possesses extensive expertise in rankings strategy, both local and international marketing, promoting internationalization, and enhancing the reputations of universities in various contexts. In recognition of her achievements, Ms. Chong was elected as a Visiting Fellow at Lucy Cavendish College, University of Cambridge, in September, 2024. This honor acknowledges her as an accomplished leader who brings a wealth of experience in public relations and marketing to the higher education sector. With her extensive background in public relations and marketing, along with a robust professional network, Ms. Chong significantly contributes to the university's efforts to promote research excellence and build a strong academic reputation. Ms. Chong has served as a member of the QS International Academic Advisory Committee for five years. She is currently an active speaker for the Times Higher Education (THE) conferences, sharing professional advice on public relations and marketing experience to higher education audiences globally. Her strong relationships with QS and the Times Higher Education knowledge and marketing teams greatly enhance the university's performance evaluation processes.
Tina Imig
Tina Imig is Head of Brand and Strategic Projects at the University of Newcastle and is a brand strategist with more than 20 years building powerful brands. Tina has extensive experience in consumer insights research, brand strategy and reputation measurement. She leads the University’s ecosystem approach to building a genuine connection with our audiences and developing a deeper understanding of the positive impact we have in our communities. Prior to joining the university sector, Tina was a Vice-President and Strategist at Leo Burnett USA where she helped shape iconic brands such as Disney, Kellogg’s, McDonald’s and Procter & Gamble. In all her work, Tina is passionate about brand storytelling and engaging with audiences in authentic, distinctive and measurable ways. Tina holds a Masters in Marketing from Northwestern University (USA) and is currently pursuing a PhD in Management. Her PhD research is focused on brand authenticity in service brands.
Ghassan Aouad
Professor Ghassan Aouad became Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University in January 2023. He joined from Applied Science University in Bahrain, where he was president for more than eight years. After completing his master’s and PhD degrees at Loughborough University (UK), he joined the University of Salford as a research fellow and progressed through to become pro vice-chancellor for research and innovation, and dean of the College of Science and Technology. Other roles include president of the University of Wollongong in Dubai and vice-president for academic affairs at Gulf University for Science & Technology in Kuwait. Furthermore, he served as president and vice-president of the Chartered Institute of Building. He is a member of the Advance HE Leadership and Management Strategic Advisory Group, a fellow of Advance HE and a fellow of the CIOB.
Abi Kelly
Abi Kelly joined RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences in 2020 as Director of International Engagement and External Relations with responsibility for the Office for Institutional Research and Planning. Her role is to support the University’s reputation raising strategy and build its brand among key stakeholders. A key ambition for RCSI is to be recognised in the Top 200 of universities in the world. Prior to her role with RCSI, Abi spent 8 years at Newcastle University (UK) where she was Executive Director of Corporate Affairs managing the external profile of this Russell Group university. She also led communications for the N8 Research Partnership, a collaborative mission group of the eight research-intensive universities in the North of England. She has spent 28 years working in the Public Relations industry in the UK, including roles in local and regional government, and as a PR Consultant for private-sector clients including Whitbread and Nissan.
Universities with a clear focus on reputation perform strongly in global university rankings. The THE World 100 Reputation Network aims to provide members with everything they need to improve their place in the rankings. Even when members see a fall in their overall ranking position, we consistently see evidence of the network’s benefits with a high or improved reputation score (notably in the THE & QS tables).
THE World 100 Reputation Network was formed out of its founding company, The Knowledge Partnership (TKP). TKP was acquired by Times Higher Education (THE), in December 2020, one of the world’s best known higher education data companies, with offices in the UK, US, Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Member Access
Being a member of THE World 100 Reputation Network also gives you access to…
- NEWS AND RESOURCES
- EVENTS
- FREE TICKETS
- PRIORITY BOOKING
- MEDIA MONITORING
- MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
- NETWORKING
- RESEARCH
- AND MORE!