Gael Jennings

Dr Gael Jennings BSc(Hons) Dip Ed PhD is currently a Senior Lecturer at the Centre for Advanced Journalism at the University of Melbourne.^[1] She is also a board member of the YMCA Victoria Inc,^[2] presenter and commentator for ABC TV,^[3] co-host of the ABC Radio 774 Conversation Hour program,^[4] and executive director of MediaDoc.^[5]

Education

After graduating with a First Class Honours BSc from the University of Melbourne, Jennings completed her PhD in Immunology at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in 1982.^[6]

Career

Upon completion of her PhD, Jennings chose a path in media and became the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's first National Science and Medical Reporter for TV News (1986-1989), for TV Current Affairs ("The 7.30 Report" ( 1992-1996)), and for the weekly TV Science show, "Quantum" ( 1989-1992). She was presenter of ABC Radio 774 mid-morning and afternoon shows (1996-1990), until joining SBS TV where she presented the live weekly TV current affairs programme Insight'. In 2006, Jennings continued her career at the ABC TV network as a development producer for documentaries in the genres of Science, Religion, Ethics, Natural History and Indigenous Production.^[7] In 2004, Jennings became a regular member of 'The Brains Trust ' on ABC TV's "Einstein Factor" quiz show for 5 years,^[8] and will appear in ABC TV and Adam Zwar's HighWire Film's third "Agony Aunts" series in 2015. Jennings runs MediaDoc, a science communication and media management and training business. Jennings was the Chief Executive Officer at a non-profit organisation called Greatconnections Ltd for two years (2008-2010), now part of Leadership Victoria ^[9] and is currently an Honorary Fellow at the Centre for Advancing Journalism at the University of Melbourne, where she researches the role of media in violence against women and the impact of the internet on the brain.^[10] Jennings also maintains her roles as ABC TV commentator (News Breakfast with Virginia Trioli and Michael Rowland ABC 1), co-host for ABC Radio 774 from 1986–present, and travels as an invited speaker to various events.^[11][12]

Organisations

Dr Jennings has contributed to the following organisations, in the following roles:

• Board member of Cancer Council Australia (1999-2005)
• Board member of Academic Board of the Australian Institute of Management (2007-2009)
• Member of the Events Committee at the Melbourne Forum (2011-2013)
• Board member of the YMCA Victoria (2011–present)

Projects

Jennings is the author of two books: the first, titled "Sick As!... Bloody Moments in the History of Medicine" was published in 2000, won the NSW Premiers History Award,^[13][14] and was shortlisted for the 2001 Children's Book Council Australia Award ^[15] and the second titled "Beyond Belief: How Five Australian Scientists Changed the World", published in 2002.^[16]

Jennings has served on numerous Arts, Science, Education and Literary Boards, including the Melbourne Writers Festival Board, Museum Vic, Cancer Council Australia, Questacon (National Science and Technology Centre), Old Treasury Building, The Maths and Science Advisory Council (Vic)and is currently on YMCA Vic Board and the City of Melbourne Prevention of Violence Against Women Committee ^[17]

Awards

Jennings is the recipient of multiple awards, including:

• Who's Who in Australian Women (2008- 2014)
• Walkley Award, National Finalist (1994)
• UN Media Award finalist (2014)
• Austcare Media Award (2001)
• Children's Book Council Award Finalist (2001)
• NSW Premiers History Prize (2000)
• MBF Health and Wellbeing Awards (1993, 1995, 1996, 1997)
• Kellogg's Award for Excellence in Nutrition Journalism (1995)
• Michael Daley Science Journalism Award, Best TV news/ current affairs (1992, 1995; Best Overall Entry 1992, 1995) ^[18]
• Amgen Excellence in Biotechnology Award (1995)
• Peter Grieve Medical Journalism Award (1993)
• English Speaking Union Scholarship
• American Field Service Scholarship

References