Tim Luckhurst

Principal of South College, Durham University. He is a newspaper historian and an academic member of the University's Centre for Modern Conflicts and Cultures., Durham University
Tim is the founding Principal of South College, Durham University. Prior to his appointment he was most recently founding Head of the Centre for Journalism at the University of Kent (2007-2019). He was also founder and director of KMTV, a local television station for Kent. An award-winning journalist for BBC News and Current Affairs and former editor of The Scotsman newspaper, Tim began his career on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme and went on to work as a producer, reporter and editor in Washington DC, the Middle East and Europe. He covered the Romanian Revolution and the Gulf War for BBC News. He was also a member of the team that designed and launched BBC Radio 5 Live. Subsequently, he worked as Editor of News Programmes at BBC Scotland, taking responsibility for the BBC’s Scottish news output on radio and television from newsrooms extending from Glasgow to Lerwick. He has written as a columnist for newspapers including The Guardian, Times and Independent, the Daily Mail, New Statesman and Spectator. Prior to entering journalism, he was an adviser to the Right Honourable Donald Dewar MP when he was Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland, 1985-1988.
He is a noted newspaper historian and campaigner for press freedom. His research focuses on the depiction of dissent in British and American newspapers between 1936 and 1945. Tim has published in journals including Journalism Studies, Contemporary British History, George Orwell Studies, 1914-1918 Online, Ethical Space and British Journalism Review. His current project is a history of newspaper reporting of the Second World War.
Tim was educated at Peebles High School, a comprehensive school in the Scottish Borders. He studied History at Robinson College, University of Cambridge. While a student, he played bass guitar in Tony Tiger and the Frosties, a student band that entertained thousands at May Balls and College events. He is married, with three daughters and a son.