Meet our teaching staff
Teaching staff of our Master's programs have extensive industry experience, are passionate about your learning, and are here to support your success. Meet six of our key team members who are supported by other talented staff. View all staff.
Dr Caron Dann
Progress and Pastoral Coordinator Lecturer in the School of Media, Film and Journalism
Dr Caron Dann, Progress and Pastoral Coordinator, has been part of the Monash community since 2014. Her engagement with global media and communications started with an interest in western writing about Thailand, which led her to publish a novel set in 19th century Siam. Caron has more than 20 years’ experience as a newspaper journalist in Australia, New Zealand and Thailand, 15 of which she spent as an entertainment journalist and celebrity interviewer. Her extensive career in the industry means she has developed a solid collection of industry links and contacts from around the world, and practical experience which she says is particularly useful in teaching media and communications and considering the role and concept of 'celebrity' in mediatised industries, from entertainment to politics and sport.
〝I’m passionate about media and communications as a powerful force in all aspects of 21st-century life, and its potential for providing opportunities for diverse voices to be heard.〞 – Dr Caron Dann
Mr Matt Mitchell
Program Director of the Master of Journalism
Senior Lecturer in the School of Media, Film and Journalism
Senior Lecturer Matt Mitchell’s interest in journalism was founded by the invention of his own local newspaper as an 8-year-old boy in his hometown. Since making his childhood dream official with a degree in journalism from the University of Queensland, Matt has embarked on a varied and fulfilling career in newspaper journalism, media analysis, radio, and television, before completing a postgraduate degree in media and communications. His 30-year-old career has brought with him strong industry connections, a broad range of experience, and a ‘not-so-little black book’ of household names and celebrity contacts. Matt believes that the advent of the internet has challenged traditional journalism to become more agile and multi-faceted, and is proud to see his students go on to lead successful careers in journalism all over the country.
〝Journalists today can be more agile, more creative and more innovative. We can circumvent traditional media outlets and create our own content, but still underpin this with ethical and effective journalistic practice. For me, there's never been a more exciting time to be a journalist.〞 – Mr Matt Mitchell
Dr Maura Edmond
Program Director of the Master of Communications and Media Studies
Senior Lecturer in the School of Media, Film and Journalism
After 10 years of professional experience coordinating festivals, public programs, communications and publications for media and arts organisations, Maura developed a deep love of media, arts and culture. She is fascinated with the impact of the challenges and changes borne from digital disruption and transformation in the industry, and is most passionate about issues relating to digital technologies, streaming platforms, and gender equality. Through her time writing and editing pages for many culture magazines and blogs, she learned to master the art of communicating complex ideas to a diverse audience – a valuable skill she fosters within her students.
〝I love media, art and culture and I want to make sure these industries are thriving and healthy places to work, despite the many pressures and challenges they now face. So when I study issues like gender inequality or platform regulation, what I'm really interested in is asking: how can we ensure robust and inclusive media and cultural sectors?〞 – Dr Maura Edmond
Dr Mugdha Rai
Program Director of the Master of Strategic Communications Management
Lecturer in the School of Media, Film and Journalism
Dr Mugdha Rai’s interest in understanding the power of communication spaces and industries and the pivotal role they play in shaping our understanding of the world has led her to study, research, and work across journalism, media studies, and strategic communications. Her 20-year career in the media and communications industry means she has built a range of industry networks across public, private and non-profit sectors in Australia – some of which engage directly with the curriculum of the Master of Strategic Communications Management – and others across media and communications industries in East and South Asia.
〝In the context of strategic communications, I am most passionate about advocacy and communications for social change and development. My interest is in learning how the tools of strategic communication can be used to challenge power hierarchies – providing marginalised groups with voice and agency to effectively advocate in public spaces for their issues and concerns.〞 – Dr Mugdha Rai
Professor Paul Long
Program Director of the Master of Cultural and Creative Industries
Professor in the School of Media, Film and Journalism
Professor Paul Long says his interest in the creative industries and cultural policy pre-dates his academic role when he gained decades of experience in the UK publishing, music, film and TV industries. From his previous experience in the UK, Paul has built connections across the music industries in particular, and a range of European cultural institutions. What Paul enjoys most about teaching is the ever-present opportunity for learning, and to challenge an individual's perspectives and existing ways of thinking.
〝I think that in many ways the broader domain of creative work and cultural production chose me, turning an everyday fascination and commitment into learning and a research agenda. This is something I try to tease out in student approaches to learning and the possibilities of research.〞 – Professor Paul Long
Dr Xin Gu
Lecturer in the School of Media, Film and Journalism
Dr Xin Gu’s love of culture and working with creative people has been developed over 15 years working in the field of cultural and creative industries. As a UNESCO Expert supporting the 2005 Convention for the Diversity of Cultural Expression, Xin is passionate about encouraging cultural policy measures that nurture creativity; ensuring creators and their artistic expressions are accessible to the public at large; recognising the overall contribution of the cultural industries to economic and social development; integrating culture into sustainable development strategies; and promoting international cooperation to facilitate the mobility of artists.
〝I bring my industry connections into my teaching through designing experiential learning opportunities, allowing students to engage with topics such as 'creative cities' and 'creative entrepreneurship' in an immersive way.〞 – Dr Xin Gu