Biography

Mitchell Hobbs completed his undergraduate education at La Trobe University, Australia, where he studied Sociology, Politics and Psychology. His PhD in Sociology was awarded by the University of Newcastle, Australia, in 2010, with his doctoral dissertation, "Paper Cuts: Media Bias, the Iraq War and the Politics of Rupert Murdoch", being praised for its contribution to the fields of media sociology and communication studies. In January 2011, Mitchell Hobbs left the University of Newcastle in order to work as a Media and Stakeholder Electorate Officer to Prime Minister Julia Gillard, the Member for Lalor. In March 2012, he returned to the University, so as to continue his career in teaching and research.

Qualifications

• PhD, University of Newcastle, 2010
• Bachelor of Arts (Honours), La Trobe University, 2004

Research

Research keywords

• Advertising
• Cultural politics
• Media ownership and control
• Political communication
• Public policy
• Semiotics
• Social theory
• Sociology

Research expertise

Mitchell Hobbs’ research interests and contributions to sociology fall into four main areas: media sociology (with a particular focus on media power and the political economy of Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation); socio-cultural theories of identity; semiotics; and the practices and consequences of political communication. His research has been published in national and international journals, and has been recognised for making both empirical and theoretical contributions to the fields of media studies, sociology and cultural studies.

Languages

• English

Fields of Research

Memberships

Body relevant to professional practice.

• Member - The Australian Sociological Association

Teaching

Teaching keywords

• Culture and Identity
• Media Ownership and Control
• Media and Society
• Social Research Methods
• Society and Culture

Teaching expertise

Mitchell Hobbs has taught several hundred students in the following subjects:

• SOCA1010: Society and Culture: a Sociological Introduction

• SOCA3081: New Media and Society

• SOCA3230: Identity and Culture

• CMNS2620: Media Ownership and Control

• CMNS3320: International Media Studies

• CULT2130: Media Structures and Practices

• CULT3240: Popular Culture and Society

• POLI1010: Australian Politics and Government