Department of Media and Communication

Dr Julian Matthews

BSc Social Science (CNAA), 1996 MA in Mass Communication, University of Leicester, 1997 PhD Social Science, Brunel University, 2003 Lecturer, Department of Media and Communications Telephone:0116 2522582 Email: jpm29@leicester.ac.uk

Career Experience

I began teaching in higher education in 1997.  Until recently, I was a Senior Lecturer in Media Communications at Bath Spa University. In my ten years at that institution, I ran a variety of undergraduate courses including core modules on media theory and research methods as well as other options on journalism and new media. Over this time, I’ve also coordinated a Masters course on Media and Terrorism and have been involved as a Tutor on the Distance Learning Programme in Mass Communication here at Leicester.

I joined the Media and Communications Department at the University of Leicester in 2008.

Research Interests

I am interested in the sociology of journalism and more specifically in the professional production of news media. In my research into the construction of the ‘news form’, I’ve examined how its textual properties are ‘visualised’ and then physically ‘shaped’ by news professionals within the news making environment.  My research has also explored the dialogic possibilities and limitations on access and representation that such forms produce.  To date, I’ve conducted a participant observation study of BBC Newsround and an analysis of Channel 4 News.

I am also interested in the news representation of conflicts and risks. Having conducted research into the news coverage of environmental problems, I retain an interest in the development of environmental news agendas, access opportunities and representations in the news over time.  However, I am also concerned with the news coverage of social problems generally (featuring in both old and new media) and other issues such as immigration, terrorism and war etc.

More recently, I’ve become interested in the issues that surround new media technologies and democracy including how governments, activists and citizens use the web.

Publications

See attached list.

Teaching and Supervision

I am the Course Director of MA New Media Governance and Democracy and coordinate MS7304 E-democracy & E-government and MS2003 Television Production as well as contribute to the following modules:

MS7002 Processes and Structures in Mass Communication

MS7302 New Media Theories and Concepts

MS7000 Contemporary Issues in Media and Cultural Studies

MS7027 News Management, Communication and Social Problems

I am interested to hear from prospective research students who wish to undertake research related to my research interests.

Professional Activities

As a media sociologist, I am also involved in two external roles.  First, I am the Communication and Media Section Editor for the Blackwell-Wiley International Journal, Sociology Compass ( http://www.blackwell-compass.com/subject/sociology/ ).  Second, I am the Convenor of the British Sociological Association Media Study Group ( http://www.britsoc.co.uk/specialisms/Media.htm ).  In addition to these activities, I am also a member of various professional associations including MECCSA, IAMCR, ECREA and the PSA Media and Politics Group.  I regularly give papers at conferences and was until recently the External Examiner for the Journalism Programme at the University of Worcester (- 2008)