Dr Ben Cocking

Dr Ben Cocking is a scholar in Media and Journalism in the School of Arts and Architecture. At Kent, he has served as Director Research (Centre for Journalism, 2015-2020), Director of Graduate Studies (Centre for Journalism, 2015-2020) and Director of Graduate Studies, Division of Law, Society and Social Justice (2020-2024).

He studied Communications and Image Studies (BA, MA and PhD) at the University of Kent. Prior to his current appointment, Ben taught Media Studies at the University of Gloucestershire (2000-2005) and was Principal Lecturer in Media and Journalism at the University of Roehampton (2005-2015), where he was BA Media & Culture course leader (2008-2009 & 2012-2013).

Ben is a member of the European Communications Research and Education (ECREA) conference review panel (2017-).

Media theory broadly, but especially in relation to how media shapes identity, culture, and politics by constructing realities, reinforcing norms, creating stereotypes, and influencing self-perception.

Travel media and the analysis of media content and professional writing about journeys, destinations, cultures and tourism. Particularly, that which informs guides, and immerses audiences in other places and/or blends personal experience with factual accounts of history, society, and practical tips.

Culture wars and their coverage in news media, particularly conflicts values, beliefs, and lifestyles and issues like identity, social justice and multiculturalism.

Media Literacy - strategies for critical thinking in the consumption and navigation of media content, including AI; Issues of access to all forms of media content.

Ben is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) and holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Further and Higher Education (PGCFHE) from the University of Gloucestershire (2001). He is experienced in designing and delivering high-quality learning activities - his pedagogic approach focuses on participative and student-led learning that are informed by current innovations in the creative industries. Currently, he teaches on the BA Media course, MA in Promotional Media and the BA Journalism courses.

Ben is currently External Examiner for the MA in Global Media & Culture at the University of Keele (2023-2027) and for BA Journalism at the University of Roehampton (2025-2029).

Current Teaching:

• MSTU4004: Media & Meaning
• MSTU7000: Applied Research Methods
• JOUR6156: Travel Journalism
• JOUR6081: Communication & Humanitarianism
• MSTU4006: Film & Media Practice 2
• MSTU5009: Social Media & Digital Platforms
• JOUR6155: Journalism Dissertation
• MSTU7004: Advanced Topics in Promotional Media

• News Media and Environmentalism
• Politics and News Media
• War and British Television Documentaries
• Newspaper coverage of politics in Nigeria
• Newspaper coverage of Poverty and Corruption in Nigeria
• Online news platforms in Indonesia
• Social Media and Journalistic Freedom in Uganda and Kenya
• Truth and Fake News in Journalism and News Media
• War Reporters and News Sources