Sunanda Creagh in The Conversation:
Political journalist Michelle Grattan joins University of Canberra and The Conversation
One of Australia’s best-known journalists, Michelle Grattan AO, will leave her role as political editor of The Age newspaper to join University of Canberra as a professorial fellow and become an associate editor for The Conversation.
A member of the Canberra parliamentary press gallery for more than 40 years, Ms Grattan’s new role at the university will include teaching and research projects in politics and political communication, lecturing, public commentary and strategic advice, the university said in a press release.
She will join The Conversation as Associate Editor (Politics) and Chief Political Correspondent.
“I am delighted to be associated with the university and look forward to contributing to its academic life, and especially to engaging with its students, while being able to continue to pursue political journalism,” Ms Grattan said.
University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor Stephen Parker said he was highly pleased to welcome Ms Grattan to the university.
“She will add to our contemporary and real-world teaching and research and be an invaluable source of advice,” he said.
Andrew Jaspan, editor of The Conversation and former editor of The Age said he was “truly delighted and honoured to be working again with Michelle”.
“I thoroughly appreciated her advice, professionalism and acute political savvy while working with her at The Age. She epitomises the very best in political journalism,” Mr Jaspan said.
“Stephen Parker, the VC at Canberra University, has made this happen and we are indebted to his commitment to quality journalism and academic leadership,” he said.
“And because we publish everything under Creative Commons, every other media outlet is free to share and republish Michelle’s journalism. As with any national treasure, she is too good not to be shared.”
Professorial fellowships are equivalent to becoming a full professor and are awarded to people who have made a significant contribution in their professional life.
Ms Grattan is a former editor of The Canberra Times, author of several books and has also reported for the Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald.
She was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2004 for her contribution to journalism in Australia.
Jenna Price, lecturer in journalism at the University of Technology, Sydney, said Ms Grattan would make a great contribution to teaching the next generation of journalists.
“I think not only the students but also her new colleagues at the University of Canberra are fortunate in getting an academic and practitioner with real wisdom and experience,” said Ms Price, who worked under Ms Grattan at The Canberra Times.
“She not only brings recent experience but 40 years of focus and energy, unparallelled in Australia political reporting.”
