Dr Michael Kent

Education

2002–2005                Doctor of Philosophy (Communications)

                              Murdoch University

                                     Murdoch, Western Australia

                                     School of Media, Communication and Culture.

 

Thesis title – The Invisible Empire: Border Protection on the
Electronic Frontier.

 

2006                            Graduate Certificate in Tertiary and Adult Education

                                    Murdoch University

                                    Murdoch, Western Australia

                                    School of Education

 

1994–1997              Bachelor of Arts with Honours (Politics)

                                    Murdoch University

                                    Murdoch, Western Australia

 

                                    Thesis title – Nike: A Case Study in Globalisation

 

 

1987–1991                  Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)

                             University of Western Australia

                                    Crawley, Western Australia

 

Professional experience

2008-2009                     Adjunct Lecturer

Edith Cowen University

Centre for Research in Entertainment, Arts, Technology, Education and Communication CREATEC

Mount Lawley, Western Australia

 

·         This position involves work on a number of different projects across different institutions:

·         Working with Dr Katie Ellis on the new academic manuscript Disability and New Media under contract with Routledge for publication in early 2010.

·         Researcher with Dr Kirsty Best on her Discovery Grant  funded project Isolation, illness and the Internet: Exploring the possibility of a second life for sufferers of ME

·         Researcher with Dr Amanda Third & Dr Ingrid Richardson on a project exploring the use of the Livewire network for the Starlight Foundation

·         Researcher with A/Prof Matthew Allen at Curtin University on the Alt-C funded project Learning in Networks of Knowledge (LINK):Improving student educational outcomes and learning, using Web 2.0 concepts and a knowledge-networking approach

·         Teaching and co-ordinating Net Studies 306/506: Cyberanalytics for the Internet Studies department at Curtin university and its sister unit Net 26 for Open Universities Australia. The course involves both on campus students and external students studying online.

·         Teaching Net 34: Web Publishing and Net 11: Internet Communications for both online for Open Universities Australia.

·         Teaching and co-ordinating Net Studies 103: The Internet A Sociotechnological Introduction for Curtin International College.

2007–2008                  Research Officer

                                    Art Design Media Subject Centre, The Higher Education Academy

                                    University of Brighton, Brighton

 

·         Research and produce the National Subject Profile for Media and Communications across Higher Education sector in the United Kingdom.

·         Research informed by existing data from a variety of higher education agencies including HESA, HEPI, NSS, JCQ, UCAS, Skillset and Prospect to provide an understanding of student pathways through the sector.

·         Survey research of staff and students in the field of study involving 221 institutions across the United Kingdom identified as teaching subjects in this area. The research received responses from more than 1000 staff and 3000 students.

·         Quantitative research through focus groups to provide context for the above data, and through the gathering of a ‘student voice’, and ‘staff voice’ allow students and staff to have their views included in the final report. Twenty focus groups were conducted at ten separate institutions across the United Kingdom.

·         Advice and guidance as a member of the project steering group.

·         Produce a final concise report on the review to inform debate within the field.

·         Prepare a second report for the Art Design Media Subject Centre to complement the primary data and quantitative data from this first report with supplementary background on the development of the field and qualitative data gathered from focus group research to provide the report with a ‘student voice’ and ‘staff voice’.

·         Prepare a website to present the data collected from different agencies to produce the national subject profile, as well as to publish the results of quantitative research conducted into staff and students in Media and Communications Higher Education in the United Kingdom through the surveys conducted to gather data on these two groups as part of the research for the National Subject Profile.

·         Peer review of project submissions for funding by the Subject Centre.

·         Advice and guidance as a member of the ADM-HEA Media & Communications Reference Group.

·         Classified as ‘research active’ for purposes of the 2007 United Kingdom Research Assessment Exercise in Media, Communications and Cultural Studies for the University of Brighton. Works submitted for review:

Brabazon, T, Cull, F, Kent, M, McRae, L 2005, ‘Jingling the single: The i-podification of the music industry’, AQ – Australian Quarterly, vol. 77, May-June.

Kent, M 2004 ‘Spam regulation and Australia: National sovereignty and the .au’ AQ – Australian Quarterly, vol. 76, July–August.

Kent, M 2006, ‘Not dead, but maybe extinct: The university in Australia’ AQ – Australian Quarterly, vol. 78, November-December.

Kent, M 2007, ‘New Technology and The Universal Service Obligation in Australia: Drifting towards Exclusion?’ Nebula: A Journal of Multidisciplinary Scholarship Issue 13 (4.3) December, pp 101-124. <http://www.nobleworld.biz/images/Kent.pdf>.

·         Member of the University of Brighton Media Research Group.

·           External examiner for the validation of the new Broadcasting, Journalism and Media Degree at North East Wales Institute, Wrexham.

·           Facilitator for Art Design Media Subject Centre Annual Forum 2008 ‘Knowledge’ The Lowry, Manchester, 1^st May 2008.

·         Preparing and conducting seminar program for

-       LM 253 Media and Popular Culture

·         Marking and student feedback

·         Visiting Lecturer for MJM01 Practicing Research Methods

 

 

2004–Present              Business Manager & Convenor of Critical Digital Hub

                                    Popular Culture Collective

 

·         Development of recently published book The Revolution Will Not be Downloaded as part of the Critical Digital Hub.

·         Development and implementation of corporate structure.

·         Accounts and business management.

 

 

2007–2008                  Vice-Chair and Trustee

                                    Brighton Surf Life Saving Club

                                    Brighton, East Sussex

·         Helping re-found one of the oldest Surf Life Saving Clubs in the United Kingdom

·         Developing membership base

·         Fund Raising

·         Developing and implementing new corporate structure and club constitution

           

 

2006–2007                  Lecturer

                                    Open Universities Australia

                                    Melbourne, Victoria

 

·         Delivering course material, both written and audio to distance education students across Australia and internationally through a variety of computer mediated communication platforms including email, web updates, MP3 Podcasts, and the WebCT education platform.

·         Monitoring and leading online discussion forums.

·         Preparing and conducting both lecture and seminar program for Net 23: Policy Regulation and Governance in conjunction with the Curtin University of Technology.

·         Preparing and conducting both lecture and seminar program for

-        Net 23 Policy Regulation and Governance.

·         Facilitating

-        SSK12 Introduction to University Learning.

·         Marking and student feedback.

 

 

2006–2007                  Treasurer

                                    Electronic Frontiers Australia

 

·         Financial oversight of organisations accounts.

·         Fund raising.

·         Work with the board to advocate for positive outcomes in Australia in relation to intellectual policy and digital regulation.

 

 

2006                            Lecturer

                                    Curtin University of Technology

                                    Faculty of Media Society and Culture

                                    Bentley, Western Australia

 

·         Preparing and conducting both lecture and seminar program for

-        Net Studies 213/513: Policy Regulation and Governance.

·         Delivering course material through lectures and seminars to local students as well as written and audio material to distance education students across Australia through a variety of computer mediated communication media including email, web updates, and the WebCT education platform.

·         Monitoring and leading online discussion forums.

·         Marking and student feedback.

·         Guest Lecturer MCI 111: The Information Age. Convergence: Media, Communication, Information and the Future.

 

 

2004–2007                  Tutor

                                    Murdoch University

                                    School of Media Communications and Culture

Murdoch, Western Australia

 

·         Preparing and conducting tutorial programs for

-        COM 102: Cultural Studies, Creativity and Change.

-        MCC 108: Introduction to Mass Communication.

-        COM 337: Cultural and Media Policy.

-        MSC 334/534: Globalisation and Media Technologies.

-        POL 192: Perspectives on Security and Terrorism.

·         Marking and student feedback.

·         Guest Lecturer

-        MSC 334: Globalisation and Media Technologies: Internet Development, History and Politics.

-        MCC 108: Introduction to Mass Communication: Culture and Mass Communications.

-        COM 337: Cultural and Media Policy: New Media Policy in Asia and Australia.

 

 

2006                            Lecturer

                                    West Coast College of Technical and Further Education

                                    Sports and Fitness Department

                                    Joondalup, Western Australia

 

·         Preparing and conducting lecture and seminar program for the Events Management Cluster.

·         Marking and student feedback.

 

 

1997–2005                  Student Services Coordinator – Western Australia and Victoria

                                    Butler University, Institute for Study Abroad

                                    Sydney, New South Wales

 

·         Develop policy in relation to the international higher education sector, including liability and duty of care issues, and responses to the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000.

·         Construct and maintain Emergency Action Plan policy for the Institute in Australia.

·         Assist with coordination of national orientation program for all international students on the program at the commencement of each semester, consisting of elements in New South Wales, The Northern Territory, South Australia and Tasmania. Duties include chairing the review committee of this program.

·         Liaise with International Offices of the student’s host universities to organise accommodation and admissions for incoming exchange students and to ensure effective management of all aspects of exchange program throughout year.

·         Organise social and cultural activities appropriate for study abroad students in accordance with each semester’s budget.

·         Provide students with assistance and advice in relation to academic, social and personal matters while in Australia

 

 

1999–2001                  Lecturer

                                    Curtin University of Technology

                                    Information Systems

                                    Bentley, Western Australia

 

·         Lecturing for EC204: Electronic Commerce – Business Applications on a wide variety of topics, with a focus on ecommerce applications and theory.

·         Preparation for and conducting tutorial program for EC204 and EC201: Internet Functions and Facilities

·         Communications Administration for EC204 including Web CT, web page and listserver administration and maintenance, and monitoring and leading online discussion forums

·         Supervision of students engaged in individual research projects for degree credit

·         Marking and student feedback for a variety of Electronic Commerce courses

 

 

1999–2000                  Research Assistant

                                    Murdoch University

                                    Murdoch, Western Australia

 

·         Development and implementation of a research project examining the use of end user or home computer Internet filtering software in blocking Internet content, as a response the Broadcasting Services Amendment (Online Services) Act 1999

 

 

1999–2000                  Consultant

                                  Curtin University International Office

                                    Bentley, Western Australia

 

·         Develop an off-campus orientation program for incoming Curtin Student Exchange and Study Abroad students for the 2000 academic year, in consultation with International Office staff.

·         Develop a cost neutral program of appropriate recreational, social and cultural events for Student Exchange and Study Abroad students.

 

 

1998                            Internet Education Marketing Consultant

                                    Dow Digital, Internet Consultants

                                    Perth, Western Australia.

 

·         Identification of target markets for internet education packages

·         Liaison with existing Dow Digital clients in relation to their training needs

 

 

1996–1997                  Managing Partner

                                    Virtual Services

                                    Perth, Western Australia.

 

·         Identification of target markets for internet service account sales

·         Accounting and financial management of the business, including account billing and record keeping, paying due accounts and producing financial statements

·         Negotiation of exclusive distribution rights for British manufactured PC Defender computer security systems for Asia and Africa.

 

 

1996                            Researcher

                                    Multicultural Access Unit, TAFE NSW

                                    (Western Australian Project)

 

·         Identification of the training needs of small business owners and employees for TAFE project through interviews. Duties include constructing a relevant sample as well as conducting interviews and detailing results

 

 

1992–1996                  Partner

                                    Tempest Holdings

                                    Perth, Western Australia

 

Marketing and development partnership which undertook a variety of largely import–export based projects, including:

·         1992: Negotiated state-wide distribution of Jolt Cola with US-parent company.

·         1995: Developed and marketed VFX-1 Virtual Reality Entertainment concept.

·         1995: Negotiated national distribution rights for PC Defender Computer Alarm System from European-based manufacturer.

·         1996: Negotiated national distribution rights for VFX-1 personal computer virtual reality interface.

·         1996: Negotiated Asia/Africa regional distribution for PC Defender Computer Alarm System from European-based manufacturer.

 

 

1994–1995                  Manager

                                    Interzone – Club Industrial

                                    Perth, Western Australia

 

·         Development and management of unlicensed night-club venue

·         Liaison with local and state government bodies to ensure compliance with all relevant legislation and regulations

·         Promotion and media liaison

·         Staff recruitment, training and management

 

 

1990–1995                  Managing Director

                                    Zone 3 Laser Sport

                                    Perth, Western Australia

 

·         Identification of marketing strategies and promotion of the business to target markets

·         Accounting and financial management of the business – keeping records of the daily takings, paying due accounts, recording receipts and payroll

·         Writing and editing promotional materials for a range of audiences through a variety of media, including radio, television, print and direct promotion

·         Liaising with appropriate government authorities, at local, state and federal levels, over a variety of issues including health and safety, planning and redevelopment approval and taxation

·         Recruitment of staff, personnel management, rostering of staff to cover operations 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

 

Professional memberships

·         Popular Culture Collective – Business Manager and Critical Digital Hub Convenor

·         Brighton Surf Live Saving Club

·         International Association for Media and Communications Research

·         The Society for Disability Studies

·         Electronic Frontiers Australia

·         Association of Internet Researchers

·         The Internet Society

·         The Western Australian Internet Association

·         Cultural Studies Association of Australasia

·         The Australian Institute of Policy and Science

·         Electronic Frontier Foundation

 

Personal qualities

·         Demonstrated leadership abilities – both professionally and personally

·         Ability to communicate and quickly establish rapport with people of all ages from diverse cultural backgrounds

·         Outstanding interpersonal skills, including the ability to identify conflict and negotiate solutions under pressure

·         Good written communication skills, including extensive report writing experience

·         Well developed organisational skills and ability to meet deadlines under pressure

·         Ability to quickly assimilate information from a variety of sources, identify the key issues and present a coherent, concise argument clearly stating my position and justification for this

·         Detailed knowledge of and keen interest in the Australian political and parliamentary process, international political history and events

·         Completed Rottnest Island Channel Swim 2002 and 2008 in team of four (currently entered for the 2009 race).

·         Maintained current Red Cross Senior First Aid Certification from 1988 to present