After spending a number of years in the print industry as a graphic designer and originator, John decided to study for a degree in politics at the University of Sheffield. Following his undergraduate degree John went on to study for a PhD in political theory. His PhD focused on freedom of speech and its ideological components in early to mid-nineteenth century radical newspapers and pamphlets.

While completing this research, he took up a research post at Sheffield Hallam University focusing on the use of internet technologies in higher education. Following stints teaching politics at both Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield, John was appointed as lecturer in Journalism Studies in February 2005.

Teaching and research

John Steel's teaching is led by his research interests, which centre around the following topics: the relationship between journalism and democracy; historical and theoretical approaches to journalism and the media; free speech, censorship and freedom of the press; journalism and the coverage of war and conflict, journalism and its role perceptions, and journalism education.

In addition running the MA in International Political Communication, John also teaches on the following modules:

• JNL312 Journalism and Political Communication
• JNL315 Free Speech and Censorship
• JNL305 Undergraduate Dissertation Supervision
• JNL6034 Journalism, Politics and Public Opinion
• JNL6032 Censorship & the Media
• JNL6100 PGT dissertation supervision
• JNL6210 Research Methods
• JNL6004 Global Journalism

PhD supervision

John is currently supervising PhD candidates on the following topics:

• The Chinese Political Public Sphere
• Marketing Nation States
• Free Speech in China
• Discourses of Public Diplomacy and Soft Power

John would welcome applications to study for a research degree in areas broadly linked to the following:

• Press freedom and media censorship
• Power, ideology and the media
• The communication of politics
• Media coverage of war and conflict
• Radical media
• Nineteenth-century press