Terry Oconnor

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT TERRY OCONNOR

I am Head of Communications for the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, based in Heidelberg, Germany. EMBL is one of the world’s leading research institutions, and Europe’s flagship life sciences organisation. An intergovernmental organisation of 27 Member States, EMBL operates sites in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom, and provides life science training and service programs globally. My role encompasses reputation and issues management, and the full suite of internal and external communications activities. Previously, I led on communications and engagement for one of Europe’s largest multi-disciplinary scientific research organisations, where I designed and led organisational change to significantly strengthen our reputation with government and stakeholders and deliver a doubling of media coverage. I\'ve extensive multinational and multicultural experience across a range of industry sectors, including in government, industry, the media and academia, and am an experienced adviser and counsellor to Boards, senior management, ministers and the academic community. My leadership and executive expertise were recognised by election to the Board of the UK’s national Association of Science and Discovery Centres, as lead author for an international Best Practices Guide for laboratory management, and as guest lecturer and presenter at international conferences amongst other achievements. I moved to Europe after a career in corporate affairs and journalism. I was Chief Political Correspondent for Australia’s national news agency, before taking senior media and policy roles with an Australian federal Minister, and public sector executive positions with Australian and British government agencies. Specialties: Government relations, international relations, corporate governance, reputational management, issues and crisis management, strategic communications planning and execution, internal and external communications, policy development.