About

I am a Lecturer in Journalism and teach across the university's Journalism, Magazine Journalism, Specialist Sports Journalism and Football Journalism courses.

Before joining the University of Derby, I worked in the regional news industry for 18 years and have experience in both print and online journalism.

Teaching responsibilities

I mainly teach online journalism, introducing first-year students to multimedia storytelling before building on these skills in the Specialist Online Journalism module in the second year. 

I lead the Work-based Learning module, which gives students the opportunity to experience work placements and projects in the industry and also teach media law, regulation, and ethics to magazine and specialist sports journalism students.

Membership of professional bodies

Became a Fellow of Advance HE in 2019.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education, University of Derby, 2019
• National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) National Certificate Examination in Newspaper Journalism
• NCTJ Preliminary Qualification in Law, Shorthand, Public Affairs and News Writing
• BA (Hons) Journalism, University of Central Lancashire

Experience in industry

I started my career as a News Reporter on a weekly newspaper in East Lancashire, The Rossendale Free Press, before moving to the Midlands to work at the Burton Mail as Deputy Chief Reporter.

I then spent 15 years at the Derby Telegraph, including 13 years on the Newsdesk, managing the busy and fast-paced newsroom and setting the news agenda. During this time, I was part of the switch from print to online and I have experience in sourcing, producing and sub-editing content for newspapers, websites and social media. I also launched and edited the Derby Telegraph's weekly leisure and lifestyle supplement,'Weekend', and was responsible for training and mentoring reporters.