Teaching Strengths
Ms Katherine Roff
Higher Degree by Research Candidate
School of Communication, Media and Journalism
College of Creative Arts, Design and Humanities
I am a Ph.D. candidate in the School of Communications, Media, and Journalism at Adelaide University / Tirkangkaku, where I also do casual lecturing and tutoring. I have previously lectured journalism classes as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Oakland University, USA, and hold a Master of Political Science from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand.
My main areas of research focus are solutions journalism and journalism education. I also specialise in news writing, feature writing, travel writing, media and politics, diversity and equity in newsrooms, and election coverage.
I am a Ph.D. candidate in the School of Communications, Media, and Journalism at Adelaide University / Tirkangkaku, where I also do casual lecturing and tutoring. I have previously lectured journalism classes as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Oakland University, USA, and hold a Master of Political Science from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand.
My main areas of research focus are solutions journalism and journalism education. I also specialise in news writing, feature writing, travel writing, media and politics, diversity and equity in newsrooms, and election coverage.
| Date | Position | Institution name |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 - ongoing | Casual Lecturer and Tutor | Adelaide University |
| 2026 - 2026 | Casual Lecturer and Tutor | Flinders University |
| 2024 - 2025 | Casual Lecture and Tutor | University of Adelaide |
| 2023 - ongoing | PhD Candidate | University of Adelaide |
| 2021 - 2023 | Managing Editor | Issue Media Group |
| 2020 - 2023 | Special Lecturer | Oakland University |
| 2019 - 2020 | Visiting Assistant Professor | Oakland University |
| 2011 - 2012 | Research Assistant | University of Canterbury |
| 2011 - 2012 | Tutor | University of Canterbury |
| 2008 - ongoing | Freelance Journalist, Sub Editor, and Editor | Issue Media Group, APN News and Media, other publications |
| 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 | - |
| 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) |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Lough, K., McIntyre, K., & Roff, K. (2024). Beyond the Classroom: Evaluating Solutions Journalism Education From the Perspective of University Graduates. Journalism and Mass Communication Educator, 79(3), 323-339. |
| 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. |
| 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.. |
| 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. |
| 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 teach several courses at AU, including Feature Writing and Foundations of Journalism. At the University of Adelaide, I taught Longform Journalism and News Writing, and I have previously 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 high schools in Western Australia, and as an ESL teacher in Costa Rica.
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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
Available For Media Comment.