معرفی
Shelley Thompson is Pro Vice-Chancellor for Student Experience at Bournemouth University, with a distinguished career spanning journalism and academia. She previously served as Deputy Dean of the Business School and Head of the Department of Communication and Journalism within the Faculty of Media and Communication. Her academic and administrative roles reflect deep engagement with media, communication, and gender studies.
- Bournemouth University, Faculty of Media and Communication
- Department of Communication and Journalism
- Pro Vice-Chancellor, Student Experience
Education:
- PhD in Journalism, Bournemouth University, 2012
- MA in Journalism Studies, Cardiff University, 2009
- BA (Hons) in Journalism, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA, 2000
- PGCE in Education Practice, Bournemouth University, 2015
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, 2015
Shelley Thompson's research centers on science journalism, with a focus on how emerging and controversial science is framed in the media. She investigates gender disparities in science reporting, particularly the underrepresentation of women’s voices in scientific discourse. Her work extends to political communication, youth political participation, and the role of journalists as gatekeepers in the digital era. She employs critical discourse analysis, framing theory, and interdisciplinary methods to explore media narratives and public engagement.
Her recent publications span psychology, media studies, and political science, with recurring themes in misinformation, cultural cognition, and gendered representation. Articles such as 'Utilising online eye-tracking to discern the impacts of cultural backgrounds on fake and real news decision-making' and 'Perceptions of women as political leaders at a time of crisis' highlight her interdisciplinary approach, combining media analysis with cognitive and psychosocial research. Her work consistently addresses issues of equity, public understanding, and democratic engagement.
Scientific Awards and Recognition:
- Investigative Reporting Awards
- First Amendment Award for a series on a secret government payment
Shelley Thompson actively supervises PhD students and has contributed to postdoctoral mentorship in areas including science journalism, political communication, and stigma in mental health discourse. She has secured research funding through Bournemouth University’s Fusion Fund for international collaboration. Her public engagement includes speaking at the BU Festival of Learning on topics like 'Women in Science' and publishing accessible commentary in The Conversation. She is a member of MeCCSA and contributes to the Politics and Media Research Group.
She leads and participates in interdisciplinary research teams focused on media, public perception, and socio-technical systems, especially through projects analyzing news framing, digital gatekeeping, and the impact of media on public understanding of science and politics.
