Katherine Roff

Katherine Roff

Higher Degree by Research Candidate

School of Humanities

Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics

I am a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Media, School of Humanities. I have previously lectured journalism classes as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Oakland University, USA, and completed my Masters in Political Science at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand.

My main areas of research focus are solutions journalism and journalism education. My Ph.D. investigates the inclusion of marginalised voices in solutions news coverage, and the impact of the emerging reporting style on sources. I also specialise in media and politics, diversity and equity in newsrooms, and election coverage.

I am a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Media, School of Humanities. I have previously lectured as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Oakland University, USA, and completed my Masters in Political Science at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. 

My main areas of research focus are solutions journalism and journalism education. My Ph.D. investigates the inclusion of marginalised voices in solutions news coverage, and the impact of the emerging reporting style on sources. I also specialise in media and politics, diversity and equity in newsrooms, and election coverage.

  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2023 - ongoing PhD Candidate University of Adelaide
    2021 - 2023 Managing Editor Issue Media Group
    2020 - ongoing Special Lecturer Oakland University
    2019 - ongoing Visiting Assistant Professor Oakland University
    2011 - ongoing Research Assistant University of Canterbury
    2011 - ongoing Tutor University of Canterbury
    2008 - ongoing Freelance Journalist, Sub Editor, and Editor Issue Media Group, APN News and Media, other publications

  • Awards and Achievements
    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2021 Nomination Oakland University Teaching Excellence Award Nominee (Communication, Journalism, and Public Relations) Oakland University United States -
    2021 Award Excellence in Journalism: Community reporting, Investigative reporting, Feature writing, Newsletter creation Society for Professional Journalists United States -
    2019 Award Oakland University Advancement Core Value Award for Teamwork and Community (Communication, Journalism, and Public Relations) Oakland University United States -

  • Education
    Date Institution name Country Title
    2011 - 2013 University of Canterbury New Zealand Master of Arts (Political Science) with Distinction
    2009 - 2010 University of Canterbury Australia BA in Mass Communication (First Class Honours)
    2004 - 2005 Curtin University Australia Diploma of Education (Secondary)
    2002 - 2004 Curtin University Australia Bachelor of Arts (Journalism and Cultural Studies)

  • Research Interests
    Communication & Media Studies Cultural Studies Government and politics International Relations Journalism and Professional Writing Journalism Studies

  • Book Chapters
    Year Citation
    2016 Bahador, B., Roff, K., & Boyd, M. (2016). Media Coverage of New Zealand Elections: 2008 – 2014. In G. Kemp, B. Bahador, K. McMillan, & C. Rudd (Eds.), Politics and the Media. Auckland University Press.

  • Conference Papers
    Year Citation
    2023 McIntyre, K., Lough, K., & Roff, K. (2023). Beyond Graduation: Evaluating the impact of university-level solutions journalism education on journalists in the field. In https://community.aejmc.org/conference/paper-competition/paperabstracts. Washington, D.C..
    2023 McIntyre, K., Lough, K., & Roff, K. (2023). Beyond Graduation: Evaluating the impact of university-level solutions journalism education on journalists in the field. In https://community.aejmc.org/conference/paper-competition/paperabstracts. Washington, D.C..

  • Conference Items
    Year Citation
    2011 Roff, K. (2011). Barbaric Mistakes: Western Print Media’s Portrayal of ‘Ethnic’ Conflicts. Poster session presented at the meeting of New Zealand Political Studies Association Conference. Dunedin, New Zealand.

  • Theses
    Year Citation
    2013 Roff, K. (2013). Barbaric Mistakes: Western Print Media’s Portrayal of ‘Ethnic’ Conflicts. (Master's Thesis, University of Canterbury).

2023: Recipient of an RTP Scholarship for Ph.D. studies, Univerity of Adelaide

2021/22: Recipient of a research stipend, investigating solution journalism education as part of the Richard Rose Donation, Oakland University

2021: Recipient of a co-teaching CETL Excellence in Teaching and Learning Grant for the revision of solutions journalism course curriculum, Oakland University

2020:  Recipient of an Affordable Course Materials stipend for Open Education Resources development, Oakland University

2011:  Recipient of F A Hayek Scholarship in Political Science, University of Canterbury

I have lectured as a Visiting Assistant Professor and Special Lecturer for four years at Oakland University, Michigan, where I taught Solutions Journalism, Feature Writing, Freelance Journalism, Magazine Writing, Intro to Journalism, Media Design, and Photojournalism.  

During my studies at the University of Canterbury, I taught as a tutor in the Department of Media and Communication, and as a research assistant.

Prior to tertiary teaching, I taught at highschools in Western Australia, and as an ESL teacher in Costa Rica. 

  • Memberships
    Date Role Membership Country
    2023 - ongoing Member JERAA Australia
    2023 - ongoing Member IAMCR Australia
    2021 - ongoing Member Society for Professional Journalists: Detroit, Michigan, US United States
    2021 - 2023 Member Solutions Journalism Network: New York - Michigan Collaborative (NyMiSoJo) United States
    2020 - 2023 Member Anti-Racist Ally Group: The Roeper School, Michigan, US United States

  • Community Engagement
    Date Title Engagement Type Institution Country
    2019 - 2023 Make A Splash Swimming Program: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, US Public Community Engagement The Roeper School and Swim Foundation USA United States
    2008 - 2008 Rotary GSE Ambassador to South Africa Public Community Engagement Rotary International South Africa
    2002 - 2005 Curtin University Volunteers: Perth, Western Australia, AU Public Community Engagement Curtin University Australia
    1991 - 2000 Girl Guides Australia Public Community Engagement Girl Guides Australia Australia

  • Event Participation
    Date Event Name Event Type Institution Country
    2022 - ongoing Solutions Journalism Network Educators Academy Conference Solutions Journalism Network United States
    2011 - 2011 US Embassy Young Leader’s Conference Conference US Embassy New Zealand
Connect With Me
External Profiles