​Paul has developed a specialism in digital journalism and supporting journalism through enterprise while at Leeds Trinity.

He set-up the department's Grand Depart website, which showcased the work of journalism students covering the Tour de France in Yorkshire. The website was highlighted by the industry press and attracted more than 200,000 page views in eight months.

Paul has also developed the Yorkshire Voice website, which features multiplatform news from postgraduate students, and LTJournalism, which offers a platform to undergraduates. 

He leads the Digital Media Portfolio module, which challenges Level 6 students to create innovative and eye-catching news website using the latest digital tools.

Paul has a background in newspaper journalism, having worked for several regional titles in Yorkshire, Staffordshire and Lancashire during the past decade.

Since leaving full-time journalism he has taught in both Further and Higher Education, joining Leeds Trinity from Coventry University in September 2013. 

​Paul is currently writing a book about Entrepreneurial Journalism for academic publishers Taylor and Francis. This will be completed in July 2016.

This publication was inspired by a practical handbook he created for journalism students called How to build a budget news website. This was part of a Learning and Teaching project he ran into problem-based learning at Trinity. He recieved £2,000 from the university to support his research into producing sustainable online journalism by engaging the passions of learners.

He is due to speak about his research at the next conference of the Association of Journalism Education in January 2016. He is also shortly due to begin his PhD into developing effective HE teaching in a constantly evolving journalistic landscape. 

In addition he intermittently publishes data journalism on his website www.flatcapnews.co.uk.

His previous academic research has revolved around regional journalism and ethics. He wrote a chapter in What do we mean by Local? Grass roots journalism - Its death and rebirth (Mair, Fowler & Reeves eds., 2012). This research subsequently appeared on the Guardian's website.

He then wrote a chapter about the impact of the Leveson Inquiry on regional journalism in After Leveson? The future of British Journalism (Mair ed., 2013).

Teaching experience

Journalism Lecturer/Graduate Teaching Assistant – Coventry University (2011-2013)

Media Lecturer – Huddersfield New College (2010-2011)

Journalism Tutor – Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher Education (2009-2010)

Current Teaching responsibilities

Journalism in Practice 1

Journalism in Context

Entrepreneurship and Creativity

Digital Media Portfolio

Major Administrative / Academic Roles and Responsibilities

Department: Journalism Progress Tutor