CTI Digital selected as Durham University's strategic digital partner

CTI’s growing strategy team were well-positioned for the role, having demonstrated their sector-specific expertise in innovative design projects for UK universities.

CTI will undertake detailed user research and analysis to create the website and support Durham University in recruiting prospective students and academics.

The website will showcase the university's world-leading research, be able to engage external stakeholders and business partners, and influence key policy makers.

CTI will lean on its previous experience working for Higher Education bodies, yet they will tailor the process so that it specifically relates to Durham’s target audience.

Matt Smith, head of strategy and experience at CTI Digital, said: “We are delighted that the team at Durham University have embraced our research-intensive approach to digital strategy. Our approach to user experience design will align closely with the research-led principles of Russell Group universities, as we translate usability insights into intuitive, tangible digital features. As we continue to invest in our digital strategy team and open our brand new User Testing Lab, we are perfectly positioned to design a digital experience tailored to Durham’s diverse audience.”

The collaborative research project will use new eye-tracking and recording technology, as offered by CTI’s in-house User Testing Lab, which will help with the design process.

Professor Claire O'Malley, pro-vice-chancellor (global) at Durham University, comments: “As a world-leading research intensive institution, it is important that our new website will meet the complex needs of our global users – both now and in the future.

"For many of our students, their journey at Durham starts on our website, so we need to get this right from the very outset, and provide an engaging and interactive user experience which is reflective of the vibrant sense of community here at Durham. We are looking forward to working with CTI Digital, who have demonstrated their innovative, research-led approach to digital strategy.”