Lisa and Dmitry will bring wealth of experience to prestigious mentorship programme
Two internationally recognised digital media specialists are the latest Leaders in Residence appointed by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).
Lisa MacLeod Taljard, Publishing Consultant for Women in News at the World Association of News Publishers and formerly of the Financial Times, and digital transformation specialist Dmitry Shishkin, a consultant who has also worked for the BBC World Service, will lend their expertise to the School of Arts and Media at the University.
The duo are the latest professionals to join UCLan’s Leaders in Residence programme, a network of 56 experienced individuals from a variety of creative sectors who work with the University as mentors, inform the curriculum and provide work placements.
Although Lisa and Dmitry will work with student journalists on undergraduate and postgraduate courses, they will primarily act as mentors and speakers on the newly launched Journalism Innovation and Leadership Programme supported by the Google News Initiative (GNI).
"I have a huge interest in teaching and mentoring, and hope that after 25 years of focus on change management and digital strategy in the media industry, I will be able to bring some deep insight to the students, and to the new leaders in journalism."
— Newly appointed UCLan Journalism Leader in Residence Lisa MacLeod Taljard, Publishing Consultant for Women in News at the World Association of News Publishers
This 30-week part-time, postgraduate certificate course has been co-designed by a team of industry leaders and hands-on academics to shape the next generation of leaders and innovators working in a rapidly changing media industry. The programme’s latest cohort boasts 14 journalists from around the world who work for public broadcasters, magazines, newspapers, news agencies, digital native outlets, and other news-related organisations.
Lisa, who sits on the Industry Advisory Board that helped develop the Journalism Innovation and Leadership programme, said: “"I am really delighted to be invited to be a Leader in Residence, and work with the team at UCLan.
“I have a huge interest in teaching and mentoring, and hope that after 25 years of focus on change management and digital strategy in the media industry, I will be able to bring some deep insight to the students, and to the new leaders in journalism. Thank you so much for the opportunity."
Dmitry commented: "Over the course of my career, I have always felt the need to continue being connected to the education sector, strengthening the bridge between current and future media practitioners. Joining UCLan as one of the new Leaders in Residence will allow me to help guide the next cohort of newsroom leaders - be it by making future introductions, delivering workshops and talks or mentoring.
“Leadership development has been an interest of mine over the last 10 years, and I am truly thrilled to have been asked to join. I am looking forward to meeting this year's Journalism Innovation and Leadership Programme participants.”
"Joining UCLan as one of the new Leaders in Residence will allow me to help guide the next cohort of newsroom leaders - be it by making future introductions, delivering workshops and talks or mentoring."
— Newly appointed UCLan Leader in Residence digital transformation specialist Dmitry Shishkin
Dr François Nel, Reader in Media Innovation and Entrepreneurship, nominated Lisa and Dmitry. He said: “I know I speak for our team when I say that we are honoured that they, along with our wider Industry Advisory Board, have been hands-on in helping shape the content of our new leadership course and mentoring programme.
“We couldn’t be happier that they’ve committed to working with us as Leaders in Residence over the next three years to ensure we deliver on the promise.”
Executive Dean of the Faculty of Culture and the Creative Industries at UCLan Jane Anthony added: “Connecting and collaborating with industry has been part of the DNA of UCLan since it was founded in 1828 as the Institution for the Diffusion of Knowledge and the Faculty of Culture and Creative Industries’ ongoing Leaders in Residence Programme demonstrates that it remains so today.
“Having internationally experienced and recognised leaders like Lisa and Dmitry as a part of the industry-academic team helps ensure that our undergraduate journalism courses deliver an excellent student experience and produce work-ready graduates. Our world-leading research and pioneering Journalism Innovation and Leadership programme will foster the next generation of diverse industry leaders that our world needs now more than ever.”
For queries about future Journalism Innovation and Leadership Programmes contact the course leader Clare Cook at CECook@uclan.ac.uk find out more about our Leaders in Residence programme.
