About me
I joined the University of Westminster's department of journalism and mass communications as a senior lecturer in 2007, and set up the UK's first post-graduate module on non-governmental organisation (NGO) campaign communications the following year.
Before moving into higher education, I worked for 20 years as a senior communications manager both in-house (Business in the Community, Gingerbread) and for agencies (Issue Communications, Social Change Online) in the UK and Australia. In these roles, I developed communications strategies and award-winning campaigns, both online and offline, for a range of not-for-profit organisations.
My clients have included Amnesty International, Action Aid, the British Library, Carers UK, the Department of Education (Australia), Gingerbread, the National Housing Federation and War on Want.
I have an MA in Classics from Cambridge University, an MA in Gender Studies from the University of Sydney and a Post Graduate Certificate in Higher Education.
Teaching
I am joint course leader of a new Masters in Media, Campaigning and Social Change, which aims to equip students with the skills, knowledge and strategic approach to develop successful social change campaigns, with a particular focus on communications and the media. The course builds on close links with leading campaigners in London's innovative and vibrant social change sector to ensure the course reflects the skill sets in demand and delivers an exciting learning experience for students. The course launched in 2014, the first of its kind in the UK.
I also teach core modules on the Masters in Public Relations. These modules cover practical PR skills, communications strategy, critical analysis of PR theory and dissertation research skills. We aim to anticipate trends in the rapidly changing PR profession to keep the course up to date and equip students to further their careers.
I have previously taught the CIPR Post-graduate Diploma in PR.
Research
I am currently researching the historical development of framing in NGO campaign communications.
Publications
For details of all my research outputs, visit my WestminsterResearch profile.