Dr Hugh Griffiths
MA (Leeds) PhD (Cardiff), SHFEA MCIPR
Teams and roles for Hugh Griffiths
Director, MA International Public Relations and Communication
Overview
Hugh Griffiths is a specialist in strategic brand communications who has worked in a variety of roles in both the government and charitable sectors. In addition to being a professional and academic, he is one of a limited number of accredited practitioners of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR).
He is a senior lecturer teaching on postgraduate courses in the School of Journalism, Media and Culture and is Director of the programme MA International Public Relations and Communication.
Hugh is chair of the board of Cardiff University Press and advises academic teams and research centres on open access publishing, editorial design and brand identity to support a growing portfolio of journals, monographs, and conference proceedings.
During his career, he has worked for Care for the Family, one of the UK's largest charities, leading on digital strategy, public relations, branding, publishing and other areas of public engagement. Previously he was the national brand manager for HM Land Registry, a senior executive role in the Government Communication Service. While in this role, he worked with the Cabinet Office to form a Whitehall group dedicated to support public sector brand practitioners and to shape policy and practice.
Publication
2025
- Kinnear, S. and Griffiths, H. 2025. Public relations and corporate identity. In: Theaker, A. ed. The Public Relations Handbook, 7th Edition. Abingdon, UK: Routledge, pp. 86-100.
2023
- Griffiths, H. 2023. Investing in our academic capital. [Online]. Cardiff: Cardiff University. Available at: https://blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/openaccess/investing-in-our-academic-capital/
2017
- Griffiths, H. 2017. Enriching the texture of experience: A media ecology perspective on the Do Lectures as a case study in strategic communication. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.
Book sections
- Kinnear, S. and Griffiths, H. 2025. Public relations and corporate identity. In: Theaker, A. ed. The Public Relations Handbook, 7th Edition. Abingdon, UK: Routledge, pp. 86-100.
Thesis
- Griffiths, H. 2017. Enriching the texture of experience: A media ecology perspective on the Do Lectures as a case study in strategic communication. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.
Websites
- Griffiths, H. 2023. Investing in our academic capital. [Online]. Cardiff: Cardiff University. Available at: https://blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/openaccess/investing-in-our-academic-capital/
Teaching
Hugh is the Director of one of Cardiff University's largest postgraduate programmes, the MA International Public Relations and Communication. He is teaching core modules on PR and communications practice and research methods as well as the option module Brand Communication. He also teaches key skills in strategic communication for the MA Political Communication.
He has previously lectured on brand and branding in culture as part of the BA Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies programme and has previously taught on several undergraduate modules including 'Media and Democracy' and 'Representations'.
Biography
Academic Positions
2022 - Present. Programme Director
MA International Public Relations and Communication
School of Journalism, Media and Culture, Cardiff University
2021 - Present. Senior lecturer in strategic communication and PR
MA International Public Relations and Communication
School of Journalism, Media and Culture, Cardiff University
2013 - Present. Senior lecturer in communication
MA Political Communication
School of Journalism, Media and Culture, Cardiff University
2018 - 2021. Associate Lecturer, International Public Relations Practice
MA International Public Relations and Global Communication Management
School of Journalism, Media and Culture, Cardiff University
2014 - 2016 Tutor, Digital Media Trends,
BA Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies
School of Journalism, Media and Culture, Cardiff University
2013 - 2016 Associate Lecturer, Branding
BA Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies
School of Journalism, Media and Culture, Cardiff University
2012 - 2013 Tutor, Media and Democracy
BA Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies
School of Journalism, Media and Culture, Cardiff University
2008 - 2012 Visiting lecturer: Strategic Branding in the Public Sector
MA Public Communication
Leeds Trinity University College
Professional roles
Most recently, I have been a public engagement lead with Care for the Family, one of the UK's largest charities. I was responsible for leading areas including brand strategy, visual identity, digital engagement, social media, publishing and resource development.
Before my PhD studies I worked as part of the Government Communication Service for HM Land Registry where I was the national brand manager for their head office in Lincoln's Inn Fields and 24 regional offices across England and Wales.
Education
PhD Strategic Communications, School of Journalism, Media and Culture, Cardiff University.
MA Public Communication, Leeds University ( with a dissertation on public sector branding)
Professional memberships
Member and accredited practitioner of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR)
Member of the Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers (ALPSP)
Committees and reviewing
Chair, Editorial Board, Cardiff University Press
School Research Ethics Committee (SREC), School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies, Cardiff University
Programme Approval and Revalidation Sub-Committee (PARSC), Cardiff University
Supervisions
Current supervision
Nicola Hooper
Deputy Director, MA International Public Relations and Global Communications Management
Engagement
'The Do Lectures: A Journey Worth Making' Stay Curious
'A Space to Mourn: social media and bereavement' Stories of Us
Left to Their Own Devices: Confident Parenting in a World of Screens
'In the market for new ideas' Financial Times
Contact Details
Research themes
Specialisms
- Public relations
- Strategic communication
- Brand identity and management
- Book culture and publishing