Senior Lecturer: Online Journalism, Magazines and New Media, Degree Leader: Web and New Media; Marketing Manager
Department of Media, Birmingham City University, Baker Building, Perry Barr, Birmingham B42 2SU
November 2001-present
Covering a range of both practical and theory skills, I lecture both undergraduate and postgraduate students in webpage design, desktop publishing, online journalism, CDROM and DVD design, interactive promotion, and the development of digital media technologies. I oversee the department's promotional materials and website, and coordinated recruitment for a course which attracts over 800 applications every year. As Degree Leader for Web and New Media I plan and manage the structure of the course, provide pastoral care for students, and manage visiting tutors and guest speakers.
Main achievements:
- Establishing a new Online Journalism module covering audio, video and animation as well as hypertext. Establishing new modules in Interactive Promotion, Music Online, CDROM & DVD, Web and New Media, Design for Production, and Visual Design.
- Establishing a new Digital Technologies module covering the past and future development of digital TV, radio, music, telephony, photography and print.
- Managing the creation of a new mediacourses.com website, and the production of a new department prospectus
Online Services Manager
Questions Publishing, 1st Floor Leonard House, 321 Bradford Street, Digbeth, Birmingham B5 6ET
January-November 2001
Recruited to set up and manage the Online Services Team, and design and launch a family of websites. This involved liaising between a number of internal departments, including editorial, design, advertising and customer services, as well as external and sister companies.
Main achievements:
- Setting up and launching a database-driven daily news and features website in three months (www.teachingtimes.co.uk).
- Launching a family of eight further websites for Questions in six months, including searchable articles archive, interactive features, worksheets database, and administration system for subscriptions and article creation (www.education-quest.com).
Group Editor/Chief Editor
IT Publishing, Unit J Kings Chambers, Queens Road, Coventry CV1 3EH
February 1999-December 2000
As Chief Editor of Internet Monthly I was responsible for producing the country's first mass-market £1.99 Internet magazine. Building a team of writers and designers from scratch I was involved in every aspect of production - from page layout and commissioning editorial to marketing and website design. With MP3X and The Internet Explained I helped launch the first Internet music magazine and 99p Internet magazine respectively. Excellent project management skills and an ability to work to tight budgets were essential to the success of these magazines, while I developed an extensive portfolio of contacts in industry, editorial and design. Central to the position was the ability to consistently generate good feature ideas, find news leads and motivate staff.
Main achievements:
- Excellent recruitment, management and motivational skills: 100% staff retention; no deadline ever missed.
- Track record of successful launches, tripling the size of the company.
- Setting up and launching a 160-page magazine onto the newsstands in the space of five weeks.
Information Officer
Education Department, Westox House, 1 Trinity Road, Dudley DY1 1JQ
June 1998-February 1999
Working as part of the Information Team, this role involved designing, writing copy for and producing a range of reports and literature for the education authority, as well as designing and maintaining the education authority's website. I also instituted the launch of a monthly media monitoring publication within the department. Central to the position was the ability to collect and present often complex data in a creative, clear and attractive way.