Andy Dickinson in profile

Department of Journalism TEXT ALT Staff profile: Andy Dickinson (Course Leader MA Online Journalism) by Beverly Pickover MA Online Journalism course leader, Andy Dickinson didn’t know what he was letting himself in for when he came to work at the University of Central Lancashire seven years ago. He came to the uni to work as a technician for the Media Technology Course and ended up teaching on it. This led to him teaching journalism and becoming a course leader last year. A self confessed techie, Andy gained an HND in Professional Audio and Video Technology, then went on to achieve a BSc in Media Technology from our very own UCLAN. He became interested in the online industry through working with computers and the emergence of multimedia technology. Andy explained that multimedia soon gave way to the web and “all things online.” He got involved and “went with the flow”, which led him to being one of the team that set up the first Web and Multimedia BSc in the country. The rest, as they say, is history. Outside of the university Andy has done training for Regional Independent Media, who used to own the Evening and Yorkshire Post. He’s also involved in consultancy, design and production work, and is still very active in TV and video production. This has led him to do some crazy things, namely hanging out of a helicopter whilst filming in Scotland, which he says is one of the high points of his career. His other highs include watching the first programme he directed go out on TV and playing a gig to a few thousand people, and not getting booed off, but being well received! Andy really enjoys music and likes to play in his spare time. What advice has Andy got for wannabe online journalists? “Don’t believe the hype. The bubble hasn’t burst and there is a real career to be had in online journalism. People see the web and think technical or arty. The web is about good content communicated effectively. Journalists are really well placed to do that. People think that as soon as you sit in front of a computer and work with a web site you automatically get an urge to put on an anorak and never go out. That’s not true - although I have a very nice anorak that I wear when it’s raining! You need to understand that kind of thing, but it won’t turn you into a geek!” Home | News | Courses | Staff | Facilities | Links All Content, unless otherwise stated, created by the Department of Journalism. 2002 The Department of Journalism - University of Central Lancashire - Preston - PR1 2HE Phone - 01772 894730 Fax 01772 892907 contact - webmaster@ukjournalism.org Back to top

P.S. A few readers have asked which certification we actually reach for — it's NCTJ Diploma in Journalism; take a look here if you want the current details.