معرفی
Dr. Zahera Harb serves as Director of Journalism Postgraduate Studies at City St George's, University of London, where she leads advanced journalism education programs. With extensive expertise in Middle Eastern media landscapes, she has established herself as a leading scholar on journalism cultures, political communication, and media ethics in Arab contexts.
Harb earned her PhD in Journalism Studies and Political Communications from Cardiff University in 2008, following an MA from the same institution in 2000. Her academic journey began with a BA in Journalism from the Lebanese University in 1993, complemented by broadcasting training from the BBC/Radio Nederlands in the Netherlands and the Thomson Foundation in the UK. Prior to her academic career, she worked for over a decade as a broadcast journalist in Lebanon for both local and international news organizations.
Her research focuses on journalism cultures, war reporting, conflict mediation, representation of ethnic minorities, journalism ethics, and the impact of social media on political communication. Harb's work consistently examines how journalists navigate complex political environments, particularly in the Middle East, and how media practices shape public understanding of conflict and social change. Her recent scholarship has increasingly addressed digital transformation in journalism, online harassment of journalists, and the challenges of maintaining ethical standards in polarized media environments.
Analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on Middle Eastern media landscapes, with particular attention to Egypt and Lebanon. Her work demonstrates how journalists operate within constrained political environments while maintaining professional integrity. Recent publications increasingly address digital challenges including social media's dual role as both platform for expression and vector for harassment, AI's impact on newsrooms, and evolving ethical frameworks for conflict reporting.
- City University London Vice Chancellor's Awards 2014 for Excellence in International Engagement
- Finalist for UK Asian Women of Achievement 2018 Award
- Stanford University Humanities Centre International Fellow 2014
As an academic supervisor, Harb has mentored multiple PhD candidates researching diverse aspects of global journalism practices. Her external examining work extends across international institutions including Swansea University, Cardiff University, and the University of Nottingham. Beyond academia, she serves in significant leadership roles as Chair of Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ) board of directors and trustee of Marie Colvin Journalists' Network, while also sitting on the UK Press Recognition Panel. Her media consultancy work with organizations including Thomson Foundation UK, International Media Support, UN Women, and International Centre for Journalists demonstrates her commitment to practical media development worldwide.
