University of Central Lancashire

Post-Doc, School of Journalism, Media and Communication

Thesis Title: Reading the local paper: Social and cultural functions of the local press in Preston, Lancashire, 1855-1900

About

Research

My recently completed PhD studies local papers, the most common form of Victorian newspaper, from the reader’s perspective, with special reference to the development of local identities.

I am interested in media and local and regional identities, and in how readers used newspapers and magazines.

As a research assistant, I work with members of UCLAN's journalism cluster on their research projects.

Biography

Andrew Hobbs worked for more than 20 years as a journalist on local, regional and national publications, and was the launch editor of a small local magazine, the Preston Other Paper. He worked in Zambia for three years, on HIV/AIDS education with young people, and subsequently worked as a trainer, using participatory methods, nationally and internationally, specialising in health promotion and the participatory development of training materials. He has worked as an hourly paid lecturer on journalism and history degree courses at Liverpool John Moores University, Edge Hill University and the University of Central Lancashire since 2002.

Andrew has a BA Hons in Psychology & Philosophy and an MA and PhD in History.

He is an associate editor of the Dictionary of Nineteenth Century Journalism, responsible for the local and regional press.