Staff Profile

Jonathan Ward is a Senior Lecturer in Public Relations and Global Lead for the School of Arts and Cultures. He joined the university in 2015 and was Degree Programme Director for the MA in Media and Public Relations for four years.

Prior to joining the university, Jonathan was an award-winning communications professional working continuously within the media industry from 1992, firstly for EMAP Publishing in London and later as a regional newspaper journalist specialising in local government reporting. As a journalist, he broke several international news stories including Peter Mandelson’s Ministerial resignations; the ghost ships scandal; the disappearance of canoeist John Darwin and Prince William's karaoke night in Wingate!

In 2006, Jonathan set up his own PR consultancy successfully competing against more experienced agencies to win contracts with organisations across the North East within range of sectors.

Outside of work, Jonathan is passionate about live music and poetry is a committee member for The Studio live music venue in Hartlepool and a Sunderland AFC season ticket holder.

Adminstrative Roles

• 2017 - 2018 - DPD for the MA in International Mutimedia Journalism; MA in Media and Journalism; MA in Media and Public Relations
• 2017 - 2021  - DPD for MA in Media and Public Relations
• 2020 - 2021  - Acting deputy head of Media Culture Heritage
• 2021 - present  - SACS Global Lead

Jonathan is a Fellow of the HEA and teaches on several PR theory and professional communications practice modules, and leads the modules PR Theory and PR in Government and Politics in 2023-24. He maintains practical and industry links by providing communications consultancy for several North East businesses and charities. Jonathan's teaching has a specific focus on ethical organisational communiation, Corporate Social Reponsibilty and sportswashing.

In 2021, he co-authored the chapter on Media Relations with Ramona Slusarczyk for the 5th edition of the Exploring Public Relations text-book (Pearson).

Jonathan has been nominated several times in the Teaching Excellence Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Teaching (HaSS) and as Taught Supervisor of the Year.

Jnathan's scholarship focuses upon international student experience, inter-cultural competence and exchange between staff and students.

As SACS Global Lead, he has informed School and Faculty level strategy on international student experience and engagement placing global citizenship, engagement and inclusivity at the heart of student experience, via a range of initiatives which showcase global success or incorporate inter-cultural dimensions into teaching.