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Spotlight on Travis Edwards

12 July 2012

This week the spotlight is on Travis Edwards, International Liaison and Recruitment Officer, UCL International Office.

Travis Edwards

What is your role and what does it involve?

I am an International Liaison and Recruitment Officer within UCL's International Office. My main market responsibilities within the department are southern and western Europe, which means that a good proportion of my time is spent researching and coordinating marketing activities for these regions in line with the UCL International Student Recruitment Strategic Marketing Plan.

Throughout the recruitment cycle (September-May), I am often on the road promoting UCL to prospective overseas undergraduate and postgraduate students. This includes participating in education fairs, visiting schools and universities and meeting with a variety of people who are interested in learning more about UCL.

As part of this activity, I compile a range of up-to-date briefings on the markets to inform on promotional outcomes and add to further strategy development.

Another part of my role involves hosting visits from overseas schools, universities and partners, both independently and with other sections of UCL. This often includes a presentation on UCL, a tour of the campus and meetings with departmental representatives.

More recently, I have been involved in contributing to UCL International's social media marketing strategy through developing content and measuring the activity on the UCL International Facebook and Twitter pages.

How long have you been at UCL and what was your previous role?

I joined the UCL International Office in April 2011. Prior to this, I had been working in a number of marketing roles at Tourism Australia, Cisco Systems and the University of Western Sydney.

What working achievement or initiative are you most proud of?

During my time at UCL, I have participated in a number of independent and joint visits to the US, Italy, Switzerland, Greece, Cyprus and Saudi Arabia. Although working 11 hours at a stand in Riyadh or sitting at an airport for two days due to a flight delay isn't normally how I like to spend my weekends, all of these trips have been very rewarding.

In each region, I was engaged in marketing activities that were aimed at improving UCL's global position and contributing to the institution's continuing success in recruiting international students.

As competition for the recruitment of international students increases between UK universities and with overseas competitors, it is a privilege to be part of a team that has contributed to UCL becoming ever more successful at attracting international students.

What is your life like outside UCL?

Since moving to London from Sydney, Australia in 2009, I have been lucky enough to travel around Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. This summer, I will be completing the Trans-Siberian railway journey (only backwards) from Beijing to Moscow, which has been a lifelong dream of mine.

As for sports, I am a member of a tennis club in west London and follow the FIM Speedway GP series.

My favourite films are the Godfather I, Modern Times and Before the Fall. I am also slightly addicted to the television series Mad Men and may have watched all six seasons of The Sopranos more than a couple of times.