Read our Q&A with Dr Ben Cocking, Director of Research for the Centre of Journalism and Dr Richard Pendry, Senior Lecturer in Broadcast Journalism and co-Director of Graduate Studies<\/p>\n
What\u2019s your taught subject at Kent? How long have you taught at Kent? Before joining Kent, what were you doing? What are your hobbies or interests?\u00a0<\/strong> Who\u2019s your favourite author\/musician\/celebrity? What\u2019s your favourite sport? What kind of books do you like? What would you say are some fun things to do in Kent? <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\n<\/strong>Ben<\/strong>: Journalism, in particular politics\/political communication, travel journalism, cultural theory.
\nRichard<\/strong>: I teach TV & Radio production.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Ben<\/strong>: 7 years.
\nRichard<\/strong>: 14 years.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Ben<\/strong>: I worked for 10 years as a Principal Lecturer at the University of Roehampton, leading their Journalism programme for two years and their Media & Culture programme for two years.
\nRichard<\/strong>: I was a freelance director-producer-reporter, doing news and documentary films for terrestrial TV.<\/p>\n
\nBen<\/strong>: Mountain biking, motorcycling, walking, swimming, kayaking
\nRichard<\/strong>: I do Yoga every morning and sing the classical repertoire in the Barts choir in central London.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Ben<\/strong>: Author: really hard to pick, but right this minute: Joseph Conrad or Chinua Achebe. Musician: Again really hard to pick, but probably Bobby Gillespie (Primal Scream).<\/p>\n
\nBen: <\/strong>Motocross, football and cricket.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Ben<\/strong>: I love travel writing. I love reading about different journeys and the history and culture of places. I’m currently reading Tim Moore’s ‘The cyclist who went out in the cold’ which is based on a journey he made across Russia and former soviet states on an old East German shopping bike. It\u2019s very funny but also contains a lot of details on the history and politics of this region – interesting and poignant to read in the context of the war in Ukraine.
\nRichard<\/strong>: I only read non-fiction books.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Ben<\/strong>: Kent has a huge amount going for it as a county and yet is sometimes overlooked or underestimated. There is a lot going on culturally in East Kent with lots of festivals on throughout the year. It\u2019s got a good mix of vibrant towns, lovely countryside and coastline. I like its connectedness to both London and Europe – travelling from Kent you can be in Paris more quickly than you can Manchester!
\nRichard<\/strong>: My recommendation is walking in the amazing\u00a0countryside.<\/p>\n