I started my career as a copy-editor in The New Indian Express in 2005, just when I completed my post-graduation. Now, I have a wide and varied experience in hardcore journalism, dedicated teaching practice and rigorous research publications. In 2008, I was appointed the Assistant Editor of a national daily, DNA. Meanwhile, I also completed my MPhil degree.
After serving the paper for five years, I quit the job to take up a full-time PhD programme in Journalism and Mass Communication. Teaching and publications in peer-reviewed journals were part of that research agenda. I joined the Department of Media and Communication of the Central University of Tamil Nadu as the Head (in-charge) on June 8, 2016, and am serving the Central-government institution as a permanent faculty member.
Journalism practices, political communication in the Indian mainstream media and public opinion expressed on the online media are my research focus. I am passionate about political research and empowerment of the people. I had been practising interactive and innovative methods to teach news writing and research methods. Having worked with several national newspapers in a competitive environment, I have become adept in the different forms of writing and news presentation. I have also trained scholars in research and scholarly initiatives, and have helped them publish in international journals. Apart from writing, I have an interest in art as well. I redesign newspapers. I understand the value of both content and design. I drew digital political cartoons for a newspaper. Digital media and their political effects are also the core areas of my scholarly research.
I have published and contributed chapters to several books, apart from research articles in reputed journals. I am also the Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Media and Communication (eISSN: 2581-513X) (https://cutn.ac.in/jmc/). My works are available at http://www.francisbarclay.com.