Staff Profile

Jonathan Ward is an award-winning communications professional who worked continuously within the media industry since between 1992 and 2015. In 2006, Jonathan set up his own PR consultancy successfully competing against more experienced agencies to win contracts with organisations across the North East and within range of sectors including education, sport, manufacturing, engineering and enterprise.

Jonathan joined Newcastle University in 2015  as a Lecturer in Public Relations to teach on several PGT and UG programmes within the School of Arts and Cultures.

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
• 2020-21  - Acting deputy head of Media Culture Heritage
• 2021 - present  - SACS Global Lead

In 2021, Jonathan was nominated in the Teaching Excellence Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Teaching (HaSS) and Taught Supervisor of the Year

Previously, Jonathan worked as a local government reporter, breaking international news stories including Peter Mandelson’s Ministerial resignations; the ghost ships scandal; the disappearance of canoeist John Darwin and the election of Hartlepool’s monkey mayor!

Jonathan teaches on several PR theory and professional communications practice modules, including PR in Government and Politics. He maintains practical and industry links by providing PR and communications consultancy for several North East businesses and charities.

Outside of work, Jonathan is passionate about live music and is a committee member for The Studio live music venue and recording facility in Hartlepool.

• Module leader for several PR theory and practice modules, as well as Public and International Affairs for Journalists
  
• April 2018 - Fellow of the HEA 
• Nominated in Teaching Excellence Awards 2021 for Outstanding Contribution to Teaching (HaSS) and Taught Supervisor of the Year
• Currently leading modules in Theoretical Approaches to PR; Pulic Relations in Government and Politics; and the dissertation for Media and PR

Jonathan's scholarship interests centre on international student experience and engagement.

As Global Lead for the School of Arts and Culture, he works closely with colleagues in schools and with the Dean of Global to create an effective interface between school, faculty and university initiatives and strategy for global.