Mr Jarrod Sansom

Jarrod Sansom is a sessional academic, community liaison officer, and electorate officer from Williamtown NSW who is currently studying a Doctor of Philosophy (Communication and Media) at The University of Newcastle. He was the highest-ranking student in both of his undergraduate degrees (earning a 7.0 GPA, 94 WAM, Honours Class 1, and University Medal). Jarrod was a 2018 winner of the nationwide Heywire competition for his story about the ongoing Williamtown PFAS contamination. He is a Ma and Morley scholar, a JB Fairfax Award winner, and was a finalist for the 2021 and 2022 Fulbright Scholarship, the 2020 Rhodes Scholarship, the 2019 and 2020 Young Achiever Awards NSW/ACT, and the 2018 Mid-Year Walkley Awards. Jarrod has gained professional experience with 2NURFM, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, National Rural Health Alliance, Purser Corporate Communication, Royal Agricultural Society of NSW, Australian Community Media, The University of Newcastle, The Australian National University, and Parliament of NSW. Jarrod's research explores the cultivation effects of Facebook use. His findings thus far indicate that Facebook use is potentially a key driver of conflict and division between current social groups (see Sansom, Cassin & McIntyre 2020). Jarrod currently holds an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship (Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Training Priority Scheme) and participates in the Academic Career Preparation pathway at The University of Newcastle.