I am a media and communication researcher with a specific interest in how social media is used to frame contentious political issues within divided societies such as Northern Ireland. I have written two books on the role of the internet in conflict transformation in Northern Ireland (Framing the Troubles Online: Northern Irish Groups and Website Strategy and Digital Contention in a divided society: social media, parades and protest in Northern Ireland) and co-edited five books on topics including ,edia and conflict memory and societal threats during deep mediatization. My work has been published in a number of journals including European Journal of Communication, First Monday, Information, Communication & Society, Journalism, New Media & Society, and Policy & Internet. Recently completed research projects include a British Academy funded study of YouTube footage of the union flag protests in Northern Ireland, a study of how social media is used by first responders during crisis situations funded by the EU 7th Framework Programme for Research (FP7) and a Horizon 2020 funded study of how social media can be used to build community resilience against disasters. I am a regular contributor for a host of outlets including The Conversation UK, LSE Democratic Audit and VIEWdigital. I have provided expert commentary for print and broadcast media organisations including the BBC News Channel, France 24, LBC News, Newsweek, The New Statesman, The Scotsman, The Times, Yle (Finland), and  ZDF (Germany). I have been an invited speaker at events organised by the European Police College (CEPOL), Royal United Services Institute and World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS).

I am Senior Lecturer in Communication, Media and Democracy in the School of Social & Political Sciences at the University of Glasgow . I hold the position of College of Social Sciences Ethics Lead and coordinate the course Media and Conflict Transformation in Divided Societies (2022- present). My previous roles include programme convenor for the MSc Media, Culture & Society (2022-2025) and coordinator of Social Justice Activism in the Information Age (2022-2025).  My work has been recognised through multiple awards including Rewarding Contribution (2024 & 2025), Outstanding Mentor (2025), Teaching Team (2025), and People Makes Research-Collaboration (2026).

Before moving to Glasgow, I was employed at the University of Sheffield as Senior Lecturer in Social Media & Digital Society (October 2015-May 2022) and  Lecturer in Media and Communication at the University of Leicester (November 2009- September 2015). At Sheffield, I held a number of leadership roles including Deputy Director for PGR Student Affairs in the Faculty of Social Sciences (October 2016-September 2018), Deputy Director of Learning and Teaching (August 2019-May 2022) and Ethics Coordinator (October 2018-September 2021) within the Information School.  I was awarded the University of Leicester Teaching Fellowship in January 2014 in recognition of my contribution to the enhancement of teaching in the Department of Media and Communication through the development and promotion of digital media technologies. I also received the Leicester Students’ Union Superstar Award in May 2015 for my sensitivity to responding to student learning needs.

A copy of my CV can be downloaded here