Steven Harkins

Dr. Steven Harkins is a Lecturer in the Department of Journalism Studies at the University of Stirling. His research focuses on the intersections of journalism, political communication, and social theory, with a strong emphasis on media representations of poverty, inequality, and environmental issues. He has published widely on topics including media framing of austerity, climate change communication, and journalistic ethics. Harkins founded the Communication of Inequalities Research Network in 2023 to address media representation of inequality and collaborate with non-academic partners.

• Research Interests: Media representation of poverty, climate communication, political framing, journalism ethics, and environmental policy.
• Affiliations: University of Stirling, Higher Education Academy (Fellow).
• Key Projects: Communication of Inequalities Research Network, Digital Society and Culture Research Programme.

His work critiques traditional journalistic objectivity frameworks, particularly in reporting on inequality, and explores how media shapes public perception of socio-economic issues. Recent publications analyze climate obstructionism in Scotland, framing of the cost-of-living crisis, and online climate denialism.

Awards: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2023).

Teaching: Academic staff member in Journalism Studies, contributing to courses on media ethics and political communication.