Academics and the Media in Australia

Australian Universities' Review, Vol. 52, No. 1, pp. 23-31, 2010

University of Queensland TC Beirne School of Law Research Paper No. 10-02

10 Pages Posted: 24 Mar 2010

See all articles by Graeme D. Orr

Graeme D. Orr

The University of Queensland - T.C. Beirne School of Law

Date Written: March, 16 2010

Abstract

Little has been written about the relationship between academia and the media. This essay describes, from a legal academic's perspective, three models through which academics can engage with the media. (1) Generalist or public intellectual; (2) Advocate or activist; (3) Educator of sub-disciplinary expert. It couches these models within both the traditional wariness of academia towards the media and changing landscapes such as the rise of blogging and the 'corporate' university. Legal academics, chiefly being sub-disciplinary specialists, are more suited to the activist or educator models than public intellectualism. Ultimately the essay argues that engagement with the media is a valuable form of academic service, if practised within an ethic of self-restraint.

Suggested Citation

Orr, Graeme, Academics and the Media in Australia (March, 16 2010). Australian Universities' Review, Vol. 52, No. 1, pp. 23-31, 2010, University of Queensland TC Beirne School of Law Research Paper No. 10-02, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1572245

Graeme Orr (Contact Author)

The University of Queensland - T.C. Beirne School of Law ( email )

The University of Queensland
St Lucia
4072 Brisbane, Queensland 4072
Australia

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
130
Abstract Views
795
Rank
395,045
PlumX Metrics