Thaera O'Brien

Dr. Thaera O'Brien is an Associate Lecturer at Deakin University's School of Communication and Creative Arts. She earned her PhD in Communication from the University of Otago, New Zealand, and a Master's in Communication from the University of Leicester, UK. With over 15 years of cross-cultural teaching experience, she taught diverse communication disciplines, including public relations, journalism, and social media, at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Her teaching portfolio spans institutions in Malaysia, New Zealand, and Australia.

As a recognised leader in education and curriculum innovation, Thaera has successfully designed five new teaching modules for undergraduates, demonstrating her commitment to academic excellence. Her contributions have been celebrated with the prestigious Award for Outstanding Performance at Taylors University in Malaysia.

As a scholar, Thaera's research explores the critical intersections of media, gender, and communication. Her PhD thesis, Women and Islam in Malaysia: Narrative and Myth in the Qualitative Analysis of Two Controversial Online News Stories between 2014 and 2018, has been recognized for its originality and scholarly impact. Currently, she is leading a comparative study research on gender-based violence across online news outlets an social media platforms in Malaysia. She has secured research grants, funding, including Malaysia’s Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS), and served on the editorial panel of the Asia Pacific Public Relations Journal.

Thaera brings a wealth of industry experience, having held roles at globally renowned public relations firms like Edelman Public Relations, where she managed international high-profile international brand.

Thaera is deeply committed to community engagement and social impact. She has held leadership roles as Chair and Board Member for Loddon Campaspe Multicultural Services and as an IC Ambassador for the City of Greater Bendigo Council, earning her recognition for her contributions have garnered media attention which highlights her dedication to fostering inclusive and equitable communities.

Thaera’s blend of academic knowledge, industry expertise, and community leadership positions her as a scholar-practitioner poised to contribute significantly to both academia and society.