Contact James Hill

Background

James started his career in the educational publishing sector, working at Pearson in Oxford and then Hong Kong as an editor for primary and secondary school textbooks and digital learning materials. James led the editorial team and overall management of content development for BBC English as Editorial Manager at BBC Worldwide in Hong Kong, producing a six-level multimedia English course for primary learners in China.

James has over a decade of experience working in corporate communications, including at Pearson for the Asia Pacific region, and in the Journalism and Media Studies Centre at the University of Hong Kong. James joined Cranfield in 2017 as the School Communications Manager for Cranfield Defence and Security at Shrivenham, and currently works across the University as Communication Manager in the Media Relations team.

James holds a bachelor's degree in History and Politics from the University of Exeter and a master's degree in Defence and Security Analysis from Lancaster University. He speaks fluent Chinese Mandarin.

James has been a member of ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ Council since 2019 and is the Chair of Cranfield Disability Network. James is a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.

Research opportunities

James is a part-time PhD student in Leadership and Management at Cranfield School of Management. James’ research focuses on the representation of disability in corporate communications – including through terminology, language and imagery – and spans organisational and management, disability, communication, public relations, media and psychology studies.

Research documenting the extent and nature of disability representation in business communications, and the role it may play in fostering an inclusive culture for disabled people, is limited. Understanding the relationship between how disability identity is developed and managed, organisational culture, corporate communications, and the influence of other factors such as stigma and ableism will contribute to improving outcomes for disabled people and organisations.