Dean Naidoo

Dean Naidoo is Deputy Head of the Department of Media Arts & Communication at Sheffield Hallam University and holds the title of Principal Lecturer. Previously, he spent over a decade as an academic at Leeds Trinity University's Centre for Journalism. With a career spanning two decades in professional media, he has worked across roles such as trainee reporter, photographer, Entertainment Writer, Sports Reporter, and Editorial Director at global publishers like Independent News & Media. His research focuses on Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and their media representation alongside Journalism and Photography. He has been awarded the South African Sports Writer of the Year and other accolades for reporting and photography.

Teaching responsibilities include courses like BA Journalism, MA International Journalism, and Sports Journalism. He has secured grants, including a £2000 Leeds Trinity Learning and Teaching Award for immersive technology research. External roles include serving as an external examiner for multiple universities (University of Chester, Sunderland, Central Lancashire, Salford) and advisor for institutions like Manchester Met and Wolverhampton. His work spans global events from World Cups to political conflicts, and he remains an active member of the Commonwealth Press Union and Digital Editors’ Network.