Skip to content
Main Menu
Home Communications & Outreach

Communications & Outreach

Advancing the Visibility of
Utah Research and Innovation

The Communications & Outreach team within the Office of the Vice President for Research (VPR) supports the university’s research mission by amplifying discoveries, programs, and partnerships across the institution.

We collaborate with VPR units, research centers, and communications partners campus-wide to ensure that the impact of U research is better understood, more clearly felt, and widely requested. 

Media Relations

Utah’s research stories don’t stop at the lab—they shape conversations across the state, the nation, and the world.

The VPR Communications & Outreach team connects journalists and editors with faculty experts, emerging discoveries, and innovation-driven stories that demonstrate how research at the University of Utah improves lives and drives progress.

Support for Media Includes

Coordinating interviews with subject-matter experts
Providing background materials and press assets
Sharing story leads and research breakthroughs
Facilitating coverage of major research and innovation events

Media Contact

Amanda Ashley

Director of Research & Innovation Communications

 
amanda.ashley@utah.edu | 801-591-7792

What We Do

Research only makes an impact when it’s seen, heard, and understood. The Communications & Outreach team elevates the University of Utah’s research enterprise through strategic storytelling, creative design, and consistent brand alignment—showcasing how Utah ideas move the world forward.

Our core services include:

  • Strategic communications planning and messaging for VPR priorities
  • Event branding, promotion, and on-site coverage
  • Digital advertising and social campaigns
  • Branded assets and design templates
  • Web and newsletter content strategy
  • Photography, video coordination, and storytelling support

DIGITAL AD REQUEST Marketing support Request

2024-2025 OURC Membership

Jakob D. Jensen, OURC Chair

Associate Vice President for Research
Office of the Vice President for Research

Tyler Matsamas

Associate Director of Operations and Logistics
Office of the Vice President for Research

Whitney MacKay

Executive Assistant to the AVPR
Office of the Vice President for Research

Vahe Bandarian

Interim Associate Dean for Research
College of Science

Teneille R. Brown

Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development
College of Law

Darryl Butt

Dean
Graduate School

Annie Fukushima

Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies
Director, Office of Undergraduate Research

Chris Hill

Vice Dean of Research
School of Medicine

Harish Maringanti

Associate Dean for Research
Marriot & Eccles Health Sciences Libraries

Manish Parashar

Director
Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute

Andrea Wallace

Associate Dean for Research
College of Nursing

Kevin Whitty

Associate Dean for Research
College of Engineering

Caren Frost

Assoc. Vice President for Research Integrity & Compliance | Office of the VPR
Associate Dean for Research | College of Social Work

Mike Kirby

Assistant Vice President for Research: Strategic Initiatives
Office of the Vice President for Research

Rachel Hess

Assoc. Vice President for Research, Health Sciences
Office of the Senior Vice President for Health Sciences

Lisa Henry Benham

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
College of Architecture + Planning

Kirsten Butcher

Interim Associate Dean for Research
College of Education

Julie Fritz

Associate Dean for Research
College of Health

Brenda Heaton

Associate Dean for Research
School of Dentistry

Carol Lim

Executive Associate Dean for Research
College of Pharmacy

Isabel Moreira

Associate Dean for Research
College of Humanities

Stephen Stubben

Associate Dean for Faculty and Research
School of Business

Neli Ulrich

Research Liaison & Executive Director, Comprehensive Cancer Center
Huntsman Cancer Institute

Rebecca Utz

Associate Dean for Research
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Becky Zarate

Associate Dean for Research
College of Fine Arts

Resources & Templates

Consistent storytelling strengthens the University’s research brand. Explore resources and templates designed to help VPR units and partners share research stories effectively and in alignment with institutional standards.

  • Branded PowerPoint and event slide templates
  • Research fact sheets and one-pager templates
  • Social and digital
  • Photo and video usage guideline

Request Template & Tools

Every Discovery Tells a Story—and We Want to Help Tell Yours

Faculty and research staff can submit story ideas, recent awards, publications, or partnerships for consideration in university news, newsletters, and digital channels.

Stay Connected

Stay up to date on the people and ideas driving research and innovation at the U.

Policy Icon

The Research Post

Bi-weekly research newsletter with funding, events, and stories

presentation icon

REd Classes

Training and professional development opportunities

Announce Icon

Innovation News

Updates from Utah Venture Hub and the TLO

Funding Icon

AVPR Desk

Funding updates and research resources

Connect with the Team

For communications requests, digital campaigns, or event support, reach out to the team members below. Each focuses on a distinct area within Research & Innovation Communications.

Amanda Ashley
Director, Research & Innovation Communications
Strategic oversight, brand alignment, and research storytelling
Chase Austin
Digital Marketing & Content Strategy
Digital campaigns, social media, analytics, and creative coordination
Caralynn Orbell
Strategic Partnerships & Events
Event strategy, logistics, partner engagement, and event communication
General Inquiries
vproffice@utah.edu