Whitireia journalism programme manager wins major award

Whitireia journalism programme manager wins ‘best presentation’ at world media conference

Whitireia journalism programme manager Bernie Whelan was recently awarded ‘best presentation’ at the 2015 World Conference on Media & Mass Communication in Beijing, China.

The conference is a forum for the presentation of research and advances in the fields of theoretical, experimental and applied media, journalism and mass communication, and brings together a diverse array of researchers, educators, administrators and scientists.

Whelan’s presentation focused on the research he undertook as part of his master’s thesis on the ways in which leadership can empower learning in newsrooms. In undertaking this research, he adapted a model known as ‘appreciative enquiry’ to develop a theory he calls the ‘relational newsroom’. This involves systemic interaction involving all levels within a newsroom, facilitating a more fluid flow of ideas.

His thesis also recommended the ‘relational newsroom’ be embedded in student newsrooms to develop students’ personal leadership practices and intends to do so for Whitireia Journalism’s next intake in July.

“I didn’t even know there were awards at the conference so I was pleasantly surprised to receive one for ‘best presentation’,” Whelan said. “The talk was very well-received and I’m pleased to have been asked back.”

At next year’s conference in Bangkok, Thailand, he hopes to talk about his upcoming PhD research.

“I’m looking into indigenous journalism, particularly in regards to the development of Māori, Australian Aboriginal, and Sami journalism.” He believes the appreciative enquiry methodology he has adapted may also provide a framework for development in this area.

Whelan began his career in media almost 30 years ago and joined Whitireia in 2010 from APN’s stable of community newspapers in Wellington. As editor, he had worked with Whitireia journalism students and graduates who wrote for the papers as part of their practical study, and this interaction sparked an interest in teaching. He took up the position of programme manager after Jim Tucker retired from the role.

ENDS

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