Jarrod Sansom

Port Stephens NSW

Bachelor of Communication (Honours)

Jarrod is a PhD (Communication and Media) student steadfast in helping to foster critical thinking among others. Jarrod’s research explores how social media use cultivates perceptions of ‘us against them’ among social groups. He hopes the findings will allow people to avoid the effects of echo-chambers and political polarisation. A former journalist with the ABC and Fairfax, Jarrod believes his responsibility as a communication and media scholar is to be an agent of change. He is particularly passionate about domestic violence prevention, regional advocacy and student mentoring. Jarrod pioneered the creation of an education program to prevent domestic violence in regional communities. He provided a voice for families living in areas contaminated by the Department of Defence. And recently, he started working as a sessional academic at The University of Newcastle, a community liaison officer at The Australian National University, and an electorate officer at Parliament of NSW. In 2020, Jarrod became the first Rhodes Scholarship finalist from The University of Newcastle.