I lead the Department of Journalism and Media at Nottingham Trent University in the UK, which houses the Centre for Broadcasting and Journalism, and have delivered professionally-accredited Journalism programmes since the 1990s. With many years’ experience as a journalism and media educator, I’m committed to implementing innovation in broadcast journalism and media teaching across the programmes in my department.
During a broadcasting career spanning 25 years, primarily with the BBC, I gained extensive experience as a producer, reporter, and presenter in current affairs and general programmes. I continue to freelance and my later work has been recognised with several Regional (International) RTDNA Edward R Murrow Awards.
My research interests are diverse, encompassing topics such as the history of BBC Local Radio, BBC broadcasting and news output during WW2, the reporting of Europe prior to Brexit, and the work of Martha Gellhorn. I’ve had the opportunity to participate in numerous international conferences in North America, Europe, and the UK, and have had the privilege of being an international visiting scholar in the US and Europe.
As a media trainer, I’ve had the privilege of working with mid-career journalists in Europe, providing training for network broadcasters in Moldova for the Council of Europe and senior journalists in Macedonia on reporting diversity and the use of social media.
My involvement in the Broadcast Education Association over the last 17 years has been an honour, and I am grateful to have occupied several positions within the organisation, including being elected as the first member of the Board of Directors, to represent the international membership. I am delighted to have been re-elected to this position from this upcoming year. Additionally, I have served as Vice President of the European Journalism Training Association from 2013 to 2019, where I worked to ensure that organisation’s membership of the World Journalism Education Congress. Through these roles, I have contributed to the advancement of journalism education and look forward to continuing to do so in the future.