I am an academic and researcher in Communication and Media.

I have an affiliation with RMIT University as an Adjunct Associate Professor. I am also a Research Fellow at the News and Media Research Centre at the University of Canberra.

My research interests include creativity and cultural production, journalism, journalism education, media entrepreneurship and work-integrated learning and my research in these areas has been published in books and journals and presented at national and international conferences.

I am a co-editor of The Creative System in Action: Understanding Cultural Practice and Production, published in 2016 by Palgrave MacMillan UK and a co-author on Educating for Creativity within Higher Education (2018). In collaboration with colleagues, Creative Industries Entrepreneurship: How Innovative Agents, Skills and Networks Interact, was published in 2023 and our latest book on creativity and creative industries in the Hunter was published in 2024.

I taught into the Bachelor of Communication undergraduate and Honours programs at the University of Newcastle from 2007-2021, with lecturing and tutoring experience across a range of theory and production courses that fed into the journalism, public relations and media production majors.

Previously, I worked in a successful, innovative family business both in an official capacity as a Director and the Company Secretary of the company and in the day-to-day running of the business as the office manager. These roles included complying with regulatory and legal requirements as well as running the administrative side of the business, marketing and managing staff. 

I left the University of Newcastle on 30 July 2021 due to a restructure and am looking for research assistant opportunities. My skills include:

• Developing literature reviews
• Conducting qualitative research interviews and analysing the data
• Assisting with grant applications
• Organising collection and storage of research data
• Proofing and editing
• Managing timelines and budgets
• Maintaining research websites

Recent work

• Worlds of Journalism Study – helped in final phone surveys of Australian journalists
• Valuing Diversity in News and Newsrooms – conducted qualitative interviews with Australian journalists and assisted in developing the final report
• Media Guides for Reporting on Child Sexual Abuse Project: carried out desktop research, analysed data, assisted in developing the final guides
• The rise of mistrust: Digital platforms and trust in news media (DP210100157): conducted interviews, analysed data, contributed to output
• NEMBC Annual Conference 2023 – invited to speak on Slow Journalism
• Heartbeat of Australia project – conducted interviews, desktop research and analysis

Academic Qualifications

• PhD (Communication & Media Arts), University of Newcastle (2011)
• Graduate Certificate Practice of Tertiary Teaching, University of Newcastle (2014)
• Bachelor of Communication (Honours), University of Newcastle (2005)
• Bachelor of Communication, University of Newcastle (2004)

Academic Employment Timeline

• Senior Lecturer, School of Creative Industries, University of Newcastle (full time, ongoing), 2017-2021
• Lecturer, School of Design, Communication and IT, University of Newcastle (full time, ongoing), 2012-2016
• Associate Lecturer, School of Design, Communication and IT, University of Newcastle (contract), 2011-2012
• Academic Assistant, School of Design, Communication and IT, University of Newcastle (casual), 2011
• Research Assistant, School of Design, Communication and IT, University of Newcastle (casual), 2007-2009, 2011-2012
• Sessional Instructor, School of Design, Communication and IT, University of Newcastle (casual), 2007-2011