Professor Richard Thomas

• Current Thesis Title- 'MEDIATISED ACTIVISM IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF THE ENDSARS AND OBEDIENT MOVEMENT IN NIGERIA. (current)

  PhD

  Other supervisor: Dr Joe Cable

• Covering the Difference: How UK Sports Journalism Reports the "Others" (current)

  PhD

  Other supervisor: Dr Joe Cable

• Exploring the links between gender and terrorism in the media (current)

  PhD

  Other supervisor: Dr Allaina Kilby

• This is now a study (at the student's request) about the way that British newspapers report three particular events /phases in Saudi Arabia's social history. (current)

  PhD

  Other supervisor: Dr Allaina Kilby

• Organisation crisis communication in Botswana: Investigating the crisis response strategies and the role of social media (awarded 2023)

  PhD

  Other supervisor: Prof Sian Rees

• MS-233 Investigating Text, Process and Audiences

  Investigation is central to both the academic and practical approaches to journalism and communication. For example, journalists need to mine sources, data-sets and human experiences in order to create their stories. On the other hand, to make meaningful contributions to scholarship, students need to be able to synthesize key findings from a wide body of journalistic output by applying rigorous research methods. This module recognises that investigation has to take place as an academic, journalist and original content creator. Moreover, any graduate entry job in any realm will involve an element of data mining, investigation, objective analysis and the development of reasonable and justifiable conclusions. These two (academic and practical) approaches have considerable synergy since both necessitate interpersonal skills that are particularly useful when interviewing sources of academic or journalistic narratives. Furthermore, basic numeracy skills enable data-sets to be interpreted to develop scholarly understanding as well as materials that are central to the aims of storytelling. With a very strong emphasis on developing generic employability skills, this module offers students the opportunity to develop theoretical and practical knowledge, not only to support their third year project but to provide a cutting edge within the media sector job market.

• MS-310 Dissertation Preparation

  This module introduces the practice of dissertation writing and research approaches for the study of media forms. texts and systems and their contribution to social life. It begins to explore the breadth of media studies through attention to the ways in which media matter. In what ways, and how significant are the media in the formation of individual identities and in the practices of everyday life? In the more public world, to what extent are media key to providing knowledge and enabling the debate necessary to the practices of democracy? The course enables students to build on their own experiences of media as consumers and users. But it also encourages critical attention to how the field of media studies has historically been forged: through argument and contestation between different academic approaches and disciplines.

• MS-311 Dissertation

  This dissertation enables students to engage in long term, in-depth research on a topic of their choice subject to the approval of the Department.

• MS-336 Reporting the 21st Century

  The title of the module is very specific. It is ¿Mediating the 21st Century¿ rather than the possible alternative ¿Reporting in the 21st Century¿. Rather than inferring an introspective look at professional reporting conventions and practices, this module is a much more reflective examination of the way some of the world¿s key contemporary issues and events are reported across the whole range of media and communications platforms. The focus is on how these media and journalistic outputs either contribute to, or detract from, the enhancement of democracy, and how these platforms might satisfy or contravene the normative (and regulatory) ideals of news and media. Given its wide range of themes, it has a broad appeal and provides plenty of stimulation for students reaching the end of their undergraduate or postgraduate studies.

• MS-M10 Dissertation or Project

  An innovative practice-based alternative to a Masters dissertation. Students are encouraged to develop projects across more than one area of media practice and to do so with dual supervision that embraces both theory and practice. Work produced should be at a professional level, accompanied by a reflective essay and presentation exploring the contextual, theoretical and practical issues raised by the project.

• MS-M11 MA Project and Dissertation Preparation

  This core module comprehensively prepares students for their Master¿s project or dissertation, which is an integral part of the requirements for the degree. It incorporates several key themes and issues across the communications, media practice and PR industries. It is a challenging, and stimulating module ¿ both for professional practitioners and those new to communications and media practice. The module encourages students to unite theory and practice in productive ways. It introduces students to a number of important research and project management methods essential for undertaking a successful project or dissertation.

• MS-M12 Digital Journalism Portfolio

  This module offers a comprehensive guide to the practices, techniques and skills used in the research, development and production of journalism in an online environment. It aims to increase both students¿ employability and their self-employability by showing them how to take advantage of entrepreneurial opportunities offered by online journalism.

• Beyond the MSM: Understanding the rise of alternative online political media 2019

Richard regularly appears on BBC Radio to discuss news, politics, elections and sport. He is a regular contributor to Wisden Cricket monthly magazine reflecting his lifelong love of cricket. He is the author of “Cricketing Lives: A Characterful History from Pitch to Page”, which was released in May 2021, and quickly became a No1 Bestseller in Amazon’s lists for “History of Sport” and “Cricket Books”.

Reviews include:

‘absorbing and entertaining . . . a continuous flowing narrative that hops from player to player with elegance and wit . . . a very good cricketing history indeed, and highly recommended.’ — Marcus Berkmann, The Spectator

‘in the unlikely event that you won't find any cricket to watch over the summer, this joyous book should fill a gap... you name it, it's all here. Terrific.’ — Daily Mail

‘So colourful and well told is this book, heavy on research but light in touch, that it should interest even those who find the game dull’ — The Critic

‘A wonderful read. Exhaustive and comprehensive as a reference tome, but also infused with a passion for the game and its players that distinguishes a mere cricketing aficionado from a true cricket lover.’ — Phil Steele, BBC Sport