An aerial view of Singleton Campus and the bay opposite

Professor Sian Rees

Deputy Executive Dean, Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy

+44 (0) 1792 602636

s.f.rees@swansea.ac.uk

Office - 107
First Floor
Keir Hardie Building
Singleton Campus

Available For Postgraduate Supervision

Research Links

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4745-7433

About

Dr Sian Rees is a Professor at Swansea University specialising in public relations, marketing and branding. She is Head of the School of Culture and Communication and also lectures within the department of Media & Communication. Sian is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and a recipient of the University’s Distinguished Teaching Award. During her London-based industry career Sian worked for Michael Heseltine’s Haymarket Publishing organisation as Publishing Director for the Stuff and What Hi-Fi? Group of magazines and was managing director of her own marketing and PR consultancy. Industry experience has included developing and implementing strategic PR and marketing campaigns for FMCG, retail, entertainment, medical, education and technology sectors. Sian has also worked as the Strategic Marketing Manager here at Swansea University prior to lecturing.

Areas Of Expertise

Public Relations
Branding
Corporate Communications
Reputation Management
Employability in Higher Education

Career Highlights

Teaching Interests

Sian’s teaching focus has been on embedding employability skills and learning within the curriculum and she continues to work with a variety of commercial and public sector organisations to facilitate work placement experience and opportunities for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. She has presented and developed an ontology of employability within higher education.

Research Award Highlights Collaborations

Publications

Research Highlights

Simon, C., Rees, S., & Thomas, R. (2023). Behind the scenes: A critical discourse analysis of Botswana government power plays on Facebook during two post-millennial state-owned organizational crises. Public Relations Inquiry, 12(3), 321-341.
https://doi.org/10.1177/2046147x231200891, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa64475
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/2046147x231200891
Wu, Y., Rees, S., Thomas, R., & Yu, Y. (2021). Branding the Chinese Dream: Reception of China’s Public Diplomacy in Britain’s “Cultural China”. British Journal of Chinese Studies, 11, 15-35.
https://doi.org/10.51661/bjocs.v11i0.128, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa57747
Rees, S. (2022). Authentic Sports Branding in the Digital Age. In Marie Heřmanová; Michael Skey; Thomas Thurnell-Read (Ed.), Cultures of Authenticity (pp. 121-135). Emerald Publishing Limited
https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80117-936-220221009, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61884
Rees, S. & Williams, I. (2021). Sports public relations. In Ralph Tench, Stephen Waddington (Ed.), Exploring Public Relations and Management Communication (pp. 528-544). Pearson Education
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa55684
https://exploringpr.com/
Rees, S. (2020). Public Relations, Branding and Authenticity: Brand Communications in the Digital Age (1st ed.). Routledge.
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa55685
https://www.routledge.com/Public-Relations-Branding-and-Authenticity-Brand-Communications-in-the/Rees/p/book/9780367077655
Rees, S. (2019). Re-imagining employability: an ontology of employability best practice in higher education institutions. Teaching in Higher Education, 1-16.
https://doi.org/10.1080/13562517.2019.1670637, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa52175
Rees, S. (2016). An Ontology of Employability Best Practice in Higher Education. In College of Arts & Humanities Employability Conference, Swansea University
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa39116
Rees, S. (2014). Authentic or Defensive? The Representation of the BBC. In International History of PR Conference, Bournemouth University
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa39117
Rees, S. (2013). BP: A Century of Justification. In International History of PR Conference, Bournemouth University
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa39118
Rees, L., Rees, S., & Evans, L. (2012). An Interpretation of Digital Humanities. Understanding Digital Humanities (pp. 21-41). Palgrave Macmillan
https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230371934_2, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa37719

All Research

Journal Articles

Simon, C., Rees, S., & Thomas, R. (2023). Behind the scenes: A critical discourse analysis of Botswana government power plays on Facebook during two post-millennial state-owned organizational crises. Public Relations Inquiry, 12(3), 321-341.
https://doi.org/10.1177/2046147x231200891, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa64475
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/2046147x231200891
Wu, Y., Rees, S., Thomas, R., & Yu, Y. (2021). Branding the Chinese Dream: Reception of China’s Public Diplomacy in Britain’s “Cultural China”. British Journal of Chinese Studies, 11, 15-35.
https://doi.org/10.51661/bjocs.v11i0.128, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa57747
Rees, S. (2019). Re-imagining employability: an ontology of employability best practice in higher education institutions. Teaching in Higher Education, 1-16.
https://doi.org/10.1080/13562517.2019.1670637, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa52175
Rees, S. (2011). The Incorporation of Human Nature in Organisational Image. Human Nature
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa39121
Rees, S. (2010). A Social History of Public Relations. Journeys
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa39123

Authored Books

Rees, S. (2020). Public Relations, Branding and Authenticity: Brand Communications in the Digital Age (1st ed.). Routledge.
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa55685
https://www.routledge.com/Public-Relations-Branding-and-Authenticity-Brand-Communications-in-the/Rees/p/book/9780367077655

Book Chapters

Rees, S. (2022). Authentic Sports Branding in the Digital Age. In Marie Heřmanová; Michael Skey; Thomas Thurnell-Read (Ed.), Cultures of Authenticity (pp. 121-135). Emerald Publishing Limited
https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80117-936-220221009, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61884
Rees, S. & Williams, I. (2021). Sports public relations. In Ralph Tench, Stephen Waddington (Ed.), Exploring Public Relations and Management Communication (pp. 528-544). Pearson Education
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa55684
https://exploringpr.com/
Rees, L., Rees, S., & Evans, L. (2012). An Interpretation of Digital Humanities. Understanding Digital Humanities (pp. 21-41). Palgrave Macmillan
https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230371934_2, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa37719

Conference Contributions

Rees, S. (2016). An Ontology of Employability Best Practice in Higher Education. In College of Arts & Humanities Employability Conference, Swansea University
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa39116
Rees, S. (2014). Authentic or Defensive? The Representation of the BBC. In International History of PR Conference, Bournemouth University
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa39117
Rees, S. (2013). BP: A Century of Justification. In International History of PR Conference, Bournemouth University
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa39118
Rees, S. (2011). Authentic Identities: Constructing Immutable Brand Mobiles Through Exit, Voice and Loyalty. In Telling the Truth Postgraduate Conference, Swansea University
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa39120
Rees, S. (2010). The Construction of Authentic Organisational Voice in Wales. In Cyfrwng Voices Conference, University of Wales Trinity St Davids
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa39122

Supervision

Interactive Media Experience: A study of immersive marketing communications for global media in a Chinese - Western context (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Yan Wu
Immersive Realities in Museums: How VR-Based Technologies Facilitate Digital Curatorial Practices in Museums and Transform the Museum Visitor Experience (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Leighton Evans
Organisation crisis communication in Botswana: Investigating the crisis response strategies and the role of social media (awarded 2023)

PhD

Other supervisor: Prof Richard Thomas
An Exploration of The Use of Social Media (Websites/ Twitter) As A Public Relations Communication Technique by Saudi Charities for Relationship Building (awarded 2023)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Joanna Rydzewska
The Use Of Strategic Public Relations Communication Techniques In Campaigns To Rais Awareness Of Breast Cancer: A Case Study Of Breast Cancer Campaigns In Saudi Arabian Charities (awarded 2023)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Joanna Rydzewska

Taught Modules

MS-M10 Dissertation or Project

An innovative practice-based alternative to a Masters dissertation. Students are encouraged to develop projects across more than one area of media practice and to do so with dual supervision that embraces both theory and practice. Work produced should be at a professional level, accompanied by a reflective essay and presentation exploring the contextual, theoretical and practical issues raised by the project.
MS-M11 MA Project and Dissertation Preparation

This core module comprehensively prepares students for their Master¿s project or dissertation, which is an integral part of the requirements for the degree. It incorporates several key themes and issues across the communications, media practice and PR industries. It is a challenging, and stimulating module ¿ both for professional practitioners and those new to communications and media practice. The module encourages students to unite theory and practice in productive ways. It introduces students to a number of important research and project management methods essential for undertaking a successful project or dissertation.
MSP300R Strategy, Marketing and Branding

This module provides an advanced level introduction to the theories, principles and practical techniques required for effective, integrated marketing and branding campaigns. The key stages in marketing campaign will be explored and attention will be paid to how marketing links to the creation and management of effective brands. Students will investigate the branding of major companies and the challenge this poses for PR and marketing campaigns. Campaigns will be examined using case studies covering a variety of sectors. Branding theory and practice will be examined as a key nexus for both PR and marketing campaigns, enabling students to develop the skills to critically evaluate good and bad practice in order to themselves produce effective creative project work.

Professor Sian Rees

Telephone number

Email address

Research Links

About

Areas Of Expertise

Career Highlights

Publications

Research Highlights

All Research

Journal Articles

Authored Books

Book Chapters

Conference Contributions

Supervision

Interactive Media Experience: A study of immersive marketing communications for global media in a Chinese - Western context (current)

Immersive Realities in Museums: How VR-Based Technologies Facilitate Digital Curatorial Practices in Museums and Transform the Museum Visitor Experience (current)

Organisation crisis communication in Botswana: Investigating the crisis response strategies and the role of social media (awarded 2023)

An Exploration of The Use of Social Media (Websites/ Twitter) As A Public Relations Communication Technique by Saudi Charities for Relationship Building (awarded 2023)

The Use Of Strategic Public Relations Communication Techniques In Campaigns To Rais Awareness Of Breast Cancer: A Case Study Of Breast Cancer Campaigns In Saudi Arabian Charities (awarded 2023)

Taught Modules

MS-M10 Dissertation or Project

MS-M11 MA Project and Dissertation Preparation

MSP300R Strategy, Marketing and Branding