ProfessorLinda Jean Kenix

Professor Linda Jean Kenix is a media scholar in the School of Language, Social and Political Sciences at the University of Canterbury, specialising in media representation, alternative and mainstream media, and the portrayal of marginalised groups. The term 'marginalised groups' refers not only to people but to ideas and organisations. Her research explores how and why what is marginalised gains space on the media agenda - and how that media representation can then influence public opinion. Linda Jean's research has been published extensively in high-impact international journals, where she continues to explore how visual and textual media shape public understanding, how ideologies are communicated, and how media systems influence social change.

Linda Jean’s work spans agenda‑setting, identity representation, political communication, and digital media ecosystems, with a strong focus on how marginalised communities and social movements are framed across different media platforms. She is the author of Alternative and Mainstream Media: The Converging Spectrum, a widely cited contribution to the field of media and communication. In addition, Linda Jean has also co-edited Alternative Media Meets Mainstream Politics: Activist Nation Rising, which brought together leading scholars in the field to focus on the intersection between political parties, mainstream political news, and the production of participatory media. 

Linda Jean is Head of the School for Language, Social and Political Sciences (2017–present), which houses 13 distinct academic programmes and approximately 60 staff. She is also currently the Head of the Media and Communication programme.

Linda Jean is available for media commentary on social media, digital communication, political representation, and online public discourse.

Note for prospective graduate students: Linda Jean Kenix is currently accepting proposals from graduate students if their research aligns with her research interests.