Getting to know... Johan Lidberg
Dr Johan Lidberg
Name: Johan Lidberg
Title: Dr
Faculty/Division: Arts, School of Media, Film and Journalism
Dept: Journalism
Campus: Caulfield
How long have you worked at Monash?
Five years
Where did you work prior to starting at the University?
A lot of different jobs, journalist, factory worker (assembling Volvo cars), UN peace keeping forces in Cyprus and Lebanon, farmhand.
What do you like best about your role?
Seeing students grow into confident and independent learners and graduates. The mix of teaching and research and being able to use my research in my teaching. The international collaboration aspects of both teaching and research and the flexibility in how I use my time. And sitting on the stage in the Robert Blackwood Hall applauding all our graduates when they receive their diplomas and certificates.
Why did you choose your current career path?
Curiosity. I started comparing how freedom of information systems work in different countries and the more I discovered, the more curious I got. Now 15 years later I have found out a lot, but there is still much more to do.
First job?
Farmhand
Worst job?
Working in an abattoir.
What research/projects are you currently working on and what does it involve?
I’ve got three main projects: 1) assessing how freedom of information laws work in practice in Australia and a number of other countries. 2) I’m the Australian representative on a 22-country research round table monitoring how climate change is reported in our respective countries. We’re currently working on our fourth book comparing media coverage of the climate change summits in Copenhagen, 2009 and Paris, 2015. 3) Media/journalism accountability in Australia – an assessment of the Australian Press Council before and after the Independent Media Inquiry.
What is your favourite place in the world and why?
Most places that are close to an ocean. I grew up in a wheat belt town in Sweden and always longed for the ocean. Having said that, cross country skiing on a sunny day in the mountains equals the ocean.
What is your favourite place to eat and why?
Most of Melbourne. The variety and fusion of different kitchens is quite phenomenal. When I travel I realise how incredibly spoilt we are in Melbourne when it comes to food and coffee.
What is the best piece of advice you have received?
Have a go, give it your best shot and allow yourself to be satisfied with having given it your best shot.
Tell us something about yourself that your colleagues wouldn’t know?
Together with everyone else that has served in the UN Peace Keeping Forces, I was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1988. A small share – but still…