13 January 2017
Professor Jason Bainbridge has been appointed to head up UniSA’s School of Communication, International Studies and Languages.
Prof Bainbridge has been a key player at Swinburne University in Melbourne where he is Chair of Media and Communication, and Acting Dean of the School of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, in helping to transform and energise media and arts education.
He has a PhD in Cultural Studies from Queensland University where he also completed his Bachelor of Arts Honours and his Bachelor of Laws.
Pro Vice Chancellor of UniSA’s Division of Education Arts and Social Sciences Prof Denise Meredyth says she is delighted to welcome Prof Bainbridge to the leadership position.
“More than ever, arts and social sciences have to keep pace with rapid social and cultural change,” Prof Meredyth says.
“We are in the age of disruption, a time where everything is being challenged including how we adapt to technological, social and cultural change, how social power is constructed, how we educate and how we communicate.
“Prof Bainbridge has a strong commitment to leadership both across teaching and research and has shown a career concern for developing multidisciplinary approaches that ensure flexibility in how we respond to change.
“He is an accomplished scholar, a regular commentator in the media in areas of his expertise – the convergence of law and popular culture and media – and a natural mentor for post graduate researchers and academic staff.
“He has published widely on strategic communications, the media and journalism, popular culture and the law across multiple books, book chapters and over 30 refereed journal articles.
“I am keen to work with Prof Bainbridge in his role leading one of our most important schools.”
Prof Bainbridge says he is excited to be joining UniSA and by the new challenges and opportunities the role of Head of School will offer.
“UniSA is developing an enviable reputation as an innovative university defined by its spirit of enterprise and the excellence of its teaching and research programs”, Prof Bainbridge says.
“I have long been aware of the success of its communications graduates and the vital work being done in international relations and languages.
“Our greatest challenge as educators is to equip students with the skills to remain agile and mobile in their careers, whether that is in traditional communications and arts roles, or in building their own start-ups – and this School is uniquely positioned to provide students with these skill-sets, through the diversity of its programs and the options for combination with other areas of the university.
“I look forward to leading the School in developing impact-oriented, socially-engaged and highly visible projects that make the most of the topography of the Magill and city campuses, retaining a focus on local South Australian issues while maintaining a global outlook. - and I am thrilled to be joining the UniSA team at this exciting stage in the University’s evolution.”
Prof Bainbridge will take up his position on 18 April 2017.
