Lecturer in Media and Public Relations (Education and Research)

This full-time, permanent post is available from January 2026 in the Department of Communications, Drama and Film.

Summary of the role

Established in 2021, Communications at Exeter is one of the fastest growing centres for the study of media and communications in the UK, currently home to over 300 undergraduates on its BA programmes, two successful MA programmes, and a flourishing cohort of MPhil and PhD researchers. As a key area of strategic growth for the university, we will continue to evolve in innovative and exciting ways long into the future, attracting top-class students and new staff from around the globe, developing innovative degree programmes, producing world-class research, and delivering research-led teaching excellence.

Communications sits within the vibrant Department of Communications, Drama and Film: a creative and supportive community of more than 60 staff active in a wide range of research, pedagogy, and professional practice. The department is home to several research centres, including: the Centre for International Creative Industries, Interdisciplinary Screen Studies, Contemporary Creative Practices, Performance Histories and Cultures, the Centre for the study of Gender, Media, and Sexuality (GEMS), and Critical AI Centre (CrAIC), and the Digital Majority Centre (DMC). We are committed to teaching, practice and research that makes a positive change in the world. Students are supported by excellent purpose-built facilities and unique research resources such as a state-of-the-art Digital Experience Lab, the world-renowned Bill Douglas Cinema Museum, and the Digital Humanities Lab. Staff in Communications have established working relationships with various bodies across the university, including the Business School, the Centre for Computational Social Science (C2S2), and the Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (IDSAI), and are all active in global research networks.

The post will contribute to extending the research profile of Communications at Exeter, particularly in areas related to Promotional Media and Public Relations. You will teach on existing Communications modules and lead the development of new modules in their areas of expertise.

You will have expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• Strategic communication
• Reputation management
• Crisis management
• Communication planning, strategy, and tactics
• Data analytics
• Sentiment analysis
• Social media engagement analytics
• Media and communications theory

About you

The successful applicant will have an independent research programme that will strengthen and complement the existing team at the University. They will be able to demonstrate the following qualities and characteristics:

• Hold a PhD in Media and Communications or a related discipline
• A strong record in attracting funding for research or demonstrate potential to attract future funding
• Experience of delivering and developing high quality undergraduate and/or postgraduate modules, as well as enthusiasm to engage in curriculum development and PhD supervision
• The potential to make strong connections and funded projects with business and community partners, and potential to participate and lead projects which have impact
• A commitment to equality and diversity within an organisation and a commitment to helping create an inclusive culture
• FHEA status or be committed to gaining this award within 18 months of appointment
• Teamwork skills to work in collaboration with existing group members

What we can offer you

• sector leading benefits around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave

Further information

Professor Neil Ewen, Head of Communications n.ewen@exeter.ac.uk