Professor Andrea Carson to lead the Centre for Advancing Journalism

Professor Andrea Carson has been appointed the new Director of the University of Melbourne’s Centre for Advancing Journalism.

Professor Carson is an internationally recognised political scientist and award-winning journalist with 15 years of newsroom experience at major outlets including The Age and the ABC. She has appeared as an expert commentator for leading international titles including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, BBC and The Guardian.

She is a leading scholar on the rise of misinformation in media and politics, its impacts and how this can be addressed. Her research has advanced understanding of how media shapes public trust and democratic accountability and how technology is transforming news in a changing information environment.

The Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Professor Jennifer Balint, welcomed the appointment.

"Professor Carson is a leading researcher and advocate for rigorous and evidence-based journalism,” Professor Balint said.

“She has an outstanding record in the media industry and academic leadership. Under her stewardship, the Centre is well placed to support the next generation of journalists address real-world challenges, and to advance information quality through cutting-edge research, innovative teaching, policy leadership and public engagement.”

Professor Carson said she looked forward to leading the Centre at a time of significant change in media.

“The way people access news and evaluate information is changing rapidly, with real consequences for democratic and public life,” Professor Carson said.

“The need for evidence-based journalism and a clearer understanding of how information shapes public trust has never been more important. I’m looking forward to working closely with students and collaborating with industry and research partners to better understand these shifts, and to position the Centre as a leader in how the sector responds.”

Professor Carson joins the University of Melbourne from La Trobe University, where she was Associate Dean, Research, Industry and Engagement in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Her appointment marks a return to the University, where she was previously a lecturer in Political Science from 2014 to 2018.

Professor Carson succeeds Professor Andrew Dodd, who will continue at the Centre as Professor of Journalism. She will commence in the role on 4 May 2026.