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Author, academic and political commentator, Peter van Onselen has been appointed Foundation Professor in Journalism at The University of Western Australia.

Winthrop Professor van Onselen will develop the University's new Masters of International Journalism course, drawing on industry professionals as well as scholars to give students exposure to leading journalists and academics with a combination of theory and practical experience.

"It is really important that students learn not just the underpinnings of good journalism, but core content for the areas they want to write about as well," Professor van Onselen said.  "I hope that this program can grow to become the southern hemisphere's answer to Columbia University's journalism masters."

"I have already had a great deal of interest from senior practitioners about teaching the masters.  It will give students fantastic exposure to leading journalists from around the country to complement the theoretical underpinnings of the course."

Professor van Onselen was awarded his PhD in political science from The University of Western Australia.  He also holds a Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honours in Political Science and a Masters in Policy Studies, both from the University of New South Wales.

He was an Associate Professor in Politics and Government at Edith Cowan University before becoming contributing editor at The Australian and a presenter at Sky News where he hosts its Sunday morning political program Australian Agenda. He has also appeared on television election panels covering state, federal and United States elections.

Professor van Onselen has authored or edited a number of books on Australian politics, including John Winston Howard: The Biography , published by Melbourne University Press.  He is a contributor to Australia's leading academic journal on politics during the last decade:  The Australian Journal of Political Science.

Media references

Winthrop Professor Peter van Onselen (+61 4) 12 023 102
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716