History of Internal Communication

Emily Rees and Joe Chick
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This podcast series explores the history of a profession that’s often assumed to be a recent innovation but which actually has its roots in the late nineteenth century. It is linked to a project funded by the Economic and Social Research Council called An Institutional History of Internal Communication in the United Kingdom. The episodes will features interviews with internal communication professionals, academics, and archivists.

  1. 06/02/2025

    Episode 24: Intranets and information management with Martin White

    Information management and intranet expert Martin White joins us this episode to talk about his extensive experience helping hundreds of companies manage their information and communication. He shares his insights into the importance of accountability in sharing information, the role of language in multi-national companies and the vital need to reflect corporate culture.

  2. 03/28/2025

    Episode 23: Making intranets work for internal communication with Suzie Robinson

    This episode, we are joined by Suzie Robinson, an intranet and digital employee experience consultant, from ClearBox Consulting. Suzie has worked with intranets since 2008 and has practical experience with all aspects of an intranet lifecycle, from research, to implementation, to ongoing governance, and overall strategy. Suzie’s intranet experience has grown out of the roots of internal communication, with a focus on employee experience and engagement. Listen to find out Suzie's top tips for growing an effective and strategic intranet!

  3. 02/26/2025

    Episode 22: Communication in the age of PR and propaganda with Dr Scott Anthony

    After a short break, the History of Internal Communication Podcast is back with new host Emily Rees! In this episode, Emily speaks to the writer and historian Dr Scott Anthony, a specialist in the history of public relations and propaganda, who has just published a new book with BFI/Bloomsbury on the history of British propaganda film. Tune in to hear them discuss the crossovers between IC and PR, dealing with misinformation in the age of propaganda, and what communication practices of the past might tell us about the future.

  4. 09/16/2024

    Episode 21: Jenni Field (Director of Redefining Communications)

    In Episode 21, we are joined by Jenni Field, the director of Redefining Communications and former President of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations in 2020. Reflecting on her experiences across many different industries, Jenni talks about the importance of identifying root causes of communication problems rather than just alleviating symptoms. Join us for a discussion of the importance of being intentional in communication strategies and the need for structured internal communication systems to prevent chaos.

  5. 08/11/2024

    Episode 20: Christine Shukis-Brown (Deputy Director of Strategic Communications at King’s College London)

    In Episode 20 we are joined by Christine Shukis-Brown, the Deputy Director of Strategic Communications at King’s College London. Christine shares her insights into cultural shifts from her time at the BBC, where she began as an archive researcher and moved into internal communication and change initiatives. With her involvement in digital transformation at the City of London Corporation and her PhD in social psychology at Birkbeck, Christine has a unique perspective on the strategy and psychology of internal communication.

  6. 07/10/2024

    Episode 19: Dr Mike Esbester (Principal Lecturer at the University of Portsmouth)

    The nineteenth episode of the History of Internal Communication podcast features Dr Mike Esbester, a Principal Lecturer in History at the University of Portsmouth. Mike’s research into the early British railways explores the roots of workplace safety practices. In this interview, he shares insights from his project ‘Railway Work, Life & Death,’ highlighting how historical approaches to safety have shaped contemporary practices and perceptions. The conversation challenges the modern view of health and safety as a recent nanny-state concern, showcasing its deep-seated history and critical importance across various industries.

  7. 06/11/2024

    Episode 18: Simon White (HR Lead for Blink)

    On 14 May 2024, Meta announced the closure of Workplace, the work comms platform that it had launched in 2016. In Episode 18, we talk about history as it unfolds, as we are joined by Simon White, a former employee of Meta’s predecessor Facebook. Now the HR leader for the intranet and communication application Blink, Simon shares with us his wealth of experience of digital communication and how this sector is evolving.

  8. 05/12/2024

    Episode 17: Michael Ellender (BBC Internal Channels Lead)

    In the seventeenth episode, we are joined by Michael Ellender, the Internal Channels Lead at the BBC. Michael shares his journey in internal communication, reflecting on the shifts from traditional methods to digital platforms and the impact of these changes on organisational culture and employee engagement. His unique perspective highlights the challenges and innovations within the BBC’s internal communication strategies. Tune in as we explore how internal communication shapes organisational identities and adapts to the digital age.

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About

This podcast series explores the history of a profession that’s often assumed to be a recent innovation but which actually has its roots in the late nineteenth century. It is linked to a project funded by the Economic and Social Research Council called An Institutional History of Internal Communication in the United Kingdom. The episodes will features interviews with internal communication professionals, academics, and archivists.

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