Snapshot
Gareth Kirkby
I am an associate faculty member at Royal Roads University, a university instructor and professional communicator with a background in journalism and media management. I have years of results-driven experience in both the private and non-profit sectors. A life-long learner always eager to build new skills and understanding, my diverse education includes several major communication disciplines.
I have a passion for sharing my professional practitioner experience and insights, including with the MA students at Royal Roads University. I teach a strategic approach for social media use in communication, marketing, and journalism. My diverse background in journalism and civil society organizations informs my teaching of communication for development and social change. I have also co-taught advanced (qualitative) research methods, and helped with Master’s and Bachelor’s level communication theory courses. I have taught courses fully online, blended online-residency, and face-to-face in the classroom.
I recently helped launch the Canadian Institute for Information and Privacy Studies (CIIPS), a start-up charitable organization and think tank.
My 2014 thesis for the MA in Professional Communication at Royal Roads University triggered a national conversation about government’s use of its taxing authority to affect society’s policy conversations and its impact on charities. The thesis was nominated for a Governor-General’s Gold Medal, and earned a Public Ethnography Award. You can download my thesis from the thesis section of this website.
My core professional and research interests lie at the interstices of communication, public policy, and civil society organizations including nonprofits and charities. I am available to consult on related projects and issues.
My Career
A communication practitioner-educator, I seek challenges on each side of the hyphen. As a strategic and innovative communications leader with years of results-driven experience in both the private and non-profit sectors, I bring a dynamic wealth of professional work experience and education to the table. I have demonstrated hands-on award-winning engagement in journalism and media management.
My professional communication experience includes strategic planning, strategic communication, community relations, media relations, crisis management, and community building. My project leadership experience includes social media, web development, web marketing, and web management. My management approach is a focus on coaching within a framework of ongoing change leadership.
I continue to develop my instructional skills through courses and workshops for both online and classroom teaching, and curriculum development. I have an interest in teaching culturally mixed classes, and have completed a training course in intercultural education, and most recently the Cambridge CELTA certificate (pending) for teaching international students.
For more information, see my LinkedIn profile:
ca.linkedin.com/pub/dir/Gareth/Kirkby
My Past-Times
I love to swim, snorkel, kayak, hike and learn new things. My TV and movie viewing leans heavily toward science fiction. My music interests are eclectic but with a particular interest in soul, blues, and rock dominated by guitar gymnastics.