Internationally renowned journalist and author Professor Stan Grant has been appointed as the inaugural Director of the Constructive Institute Asia Pacific in the Faculty of Arts at Monash University.
Located at Aarhus University in Denmark, the Constructive Institute’s central mission is to change global news culture to foster healthier democracies. Based within Monash University’s School of Media, Film and Journalism, Professor Grant will amplify this mission in the Asia Pacific region, leading projects and debates that embrace global solutions, nuance and dialogue to newsroom cultures.
Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Professor Katie Stevenson, welcomed Professor Grant’s appointment, building on the University’s commitment to fostering greater integrity in journalism while countering misinformation in the media.
“There is no better person to lead the advocacy for a more solutions-focused, democratic approach to journalism. Beyond the Institute's mission, our media students will have the privilege of drawing upon Stan's rich experience and knowledge of media, and his passion to change news culture for the better," said Professor Stevenson.
Professor Stan Grant welcomed the opportunity to play a pivotal role in improving public discourse, of which the media is critical.
“This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for me. It aligns with my values and draws on my 40 years in journalism, as well as my commitment to doing public interest journalism better in a way that serves the public at a time when the stakes couldn't be higher for our country and for the world,” said Professor Grant.
Professor Grant’s appointment to lead the Constructive Institute Asia Pacific is part of the School of Media, Film and Journalism’s wider agenda to address one of the key social problems of the modern age: tackling misinformation and disinformation in a radically transformed media environment.
The Constructive Institute Asia Pacific will add to Monash University’s centres of excellence dedicated to exploring how changes in communication impact the ways in which people live, work, interact and connect, including the Climate Change Communication Research Hub and 360info, which aims to tackle widespread misinformation by delivering verified and reliable news features ready-for-publications on other publishers’ outlets.
Monash continues to be at the forefront of tackling the global challenges that come with an ever evolving media landscape and Grant’s appointment will amplify this further, bringing together his professional experience and commitment to greater media integrity.
Head of School, Associate Professor Shane Homan, believes Professor Grant can play an important role constructively connecting higher education with the media industry.
"The sheer depth and breadth of Stan's career across commercial and public broadcasting means he is well placed to reflect on forms of journalism that can both inform and restore trust," said Associate Professor Homan.
Professor Grant's exemplary journalism career includes his achievement as a three-time Walkley award winner. In more than 30 years' experience in media, he has been employed in high profile roles as a current affairs and news presenter with Channel 7, CNN, SBS and the ABC. He is an award-winning author of several books, including 2023's The Queen Is Dead: Time for a Public Reckoning (Harper Collins).
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Contact details:
Kim Loudon
Media and Communications Manager (Arts)
Monash University
T: +61 (0) 452 161 986
E: kim.loudon@monash.edu
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