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University bolsters journalism teaching line-up

The University of Kent is strengthening its journalism teaching team with the addition of television producer, author and broadcaster Dr Suzanne Franks.

Suzanne, pictured, is taking up a position as director of research with the University’s Centre for Journalism – based at its Medway campus.

Part of her remit will be to help develop the Centre for Journalism’s portfolio of programmes and courses, particularly for postgraduate students, as well as lecturing and organising conferences and events.

A former producer for BBC Television, working on programmes such as Newsnight, Watchdog and Panorama, Suzanne also ran her own TV production company, Sevenday Productions, for more than 14 years, producing a series of news and political programmes and documentaries.

She said of her new role: “The Centre for Journalism has a clear goal to provide the best possible hands-on training and academic teaching. By joining the team, I hope to play a part in giving our students the best possible starts in their careers.”

The University of Kent’s journalism degree launches this month, with students being taught from a fully-equipped multimedia newsroom at Medway.

Professor Tim Luckhurst, head of the centre for journalism, said: “Suzanne Franks is a brilliant academic with a tremendous track record in journalism and as an author. Her appointment confirms the Centre for Journalism’s ambition to be the best in Europe.”

The teaching team at the Centre for Journalism also includes Ian Reeves, the former editor of Press Gazette, award-winning television director Richard Pendry, and national newspaper columnist Sarah Lonsdale.