Faculty Member, Media & Communication
Lecturer In Media and Communication
About
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.
Teaching and Supervision
I am the Course Director of MA New Media Governance and Democracy and coordinate MS7002 Processes and Structures in Mass Communication, MS7304 E-democracy & E-government and MS2003 Television Production as well as contribute to the following modules:
MS7000 Contemporary Issues in Media and Cultural Studies
MS7027 News Management, Communication and Social Problems
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)
Contact Information
http://www.le.ac.uk/mc/staff/JulianMatthews.html
Room 913
Attenborough Tower
University of Leicester
University Road
Leicester LE1 7RH
+44(0)116 2522582
