Kurt Barling

Professor Kurt Barling is Deputy Dean (Research & Knowledge Exchange) at Middlesex University's Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries. With a distinguished 26-year career as a BBC journalist covering international conflicts and social issues, Barling specializes in journalism practice, diversity in media, and the impact of AI on journalism ecosystems. His research examines media representation of inequality, AI's role in local journalism, and historical journalism practices.

Barling holds a first-class degree in Languages and Politics (1984), MSc in Comparative Government (1985), and PhD in International Relations (1989) from the London School of Economics. He is fluent in French and German. His current research focuses on AI's impact on media communications and archival/heritage sectors.

Teaching responsibilities include PhD supervision on digital media transformations, MSc Digital Journalism (Technological Advances module), and BA Creative Writing & Journalism. He actively judges national media awards including RTS, BAFTA, and Orwell Prize, and gives motivational talks in schools through the Speaker4Schools programme.

• Fellow Royal Society of Arts
• Trustee, Park Theatre London
• Senior Fellow, Higher Education Academy