One of Australia’s most celebrated journalists, five-time Walkley award winner Monica Attard, has been appointed Professor and Head of Journalism at the University of Technology Sydney.
She will join the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences in July this year, taking over from Professor Peter Fray, who has been head of journalism for the past three years. Professor Fray will focus on his new role as Co-Director of the UTS Centre for Media Transition.
Ms Attard, the current head of journalism at Macleay College, is best known for her work on several of the ABC’s flagship programs, including as a reporter for AM and host of PM, The World Today and Media Watch.
A journalist for 35 years, she has also been a TV and radio reporter, including for Four Corners and Lateline, a foreign correspondent and was the foundation editor of the website TheGlobal Mail.
She has won five Walkley awards for reporting, including the Gold Walkley, and is a Member of the Order of Australia for service to journalism.
She is also author of the best-selling book, Russia: Which Way Paradise, on the collapse of Soviet communism which she witnessed as a foreign correspondent.
“We have been greatly impressed by Monica's work at Macleay and her achievements as one of the country’s most well-respected journalists,” said Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Professor Mary Spongberg. “We are looking forward to bringing her vision for the future of journalism education to UTS.
The move to UTS will see Ms Attard lead an existing team of outstanding researchers and teachers in the journalism discipline.
Ms Attard said she was “excited to be coming to UTS” and helping to “further its reputation and shape journalists for a digital future”.
“It’s crunch time for journalism in so many respects: preparing journalism students for the realities and equipping them with the skills to succeed has never been more important.”
Ms Attard has spent the past 20 months at Macleay where she transformed journalism studies into a cutting edge, digital-first program.
Professor Fray said he was delighted to be handing the reins to someone with Monica’s track record in the industry and passion for journalism education.
“This is a great time to be shaping the next generation of journalists,” he said. “There are many challenges ahead. I know Monica will relish them.”
- Five-time Walkley award winner Monica Attard is joining UTS in July as Professor and Head of Journalism
- She is taking over from Professor Peter Fray who will focus on his new role as Co-Director of the UTS Centre for Media Transition