Gael Jennings
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Marjorie Gael Jennings (born 7 June 1951) is currently an Honorary Fellow at the Centre for Advancing Journalism at the University of Melbourne. She is also a presenter and commentator for ABC TV, co-host of the ABC Radio 774 ''Conversation Hour'' program, and executive director of MediaDoc.


Education

After graduating with a First Class Honours BSc from the
University of Melbourne The University of Melbourne (colloquially known as Melbourne University) is a public university, public research university located in Melbourne, Australia. Founded in 1853, it is Australia's second oldest university and the oldest in the state ...
, Jennings completed her PhD in Immunology at the
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research Walter may refer to: People and fictional characters * Walter (name), including a list of people and fictional and mythical characters with the given name or surname * Little Walter, American blues harmonica player Marion Walter Jacobs (1930–1 ...
in 1982.


Career

Upon completion of her PhD, Jennings chose a path in media and became the
Australian Broadcasting Corporation The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is Australia’s principal public service broadcaster. It is funded primarily by grants from the federal government and is administered by a government-appointed board of directors. The ABC is ...
's first National Science and Medical Reporter for TV News (1986–1989), for the TV Current Affairs program ''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 2004, Jennings became a regular member of ''The Brains Trust'' on ABC TV's ''Einstein Factor'' quiz show for 5 years. In 2006, Jennings worked at the ABC TV network as a development producer for documentaries in the genres of Science, Religion, Ethics, Natural History and Indigenous Production. She appeared in ABC TV and Adam Zwar's HighWire Film's sixth ''Agony'' series in 2015, alongside her daughter, writer and ABC reporter Grace Jennings-Edquist. 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 (2008–10), now part of Leadership Victoria and in 2017 was 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. She maintains her roles as ABC TV commentator, co-host for ABC Radio 774 from 1986–present, and travels as an invited speaker to various events.


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 in the Young People's History category, and was shortlisted for the 2001 Children's Book Council Australia Award. The second, ''Beyond Belief: How Five Australian Scientists Changed the World'', was published in 2002. Jennings has served on numerous Arts, Science, Education and Literary Boards, including the
Melbourne Writers Festival Melbourne Writers Festival (MWF) is an annual literary festival held in the Australian city of Melbourne, a UNESCO City of Literature. The Festival runs during early September each year. Melbourne Writers Festival is part of the Word Alliance, a ...
Board, Museum Vic,
Cancer Council Australia Cancer Council Australia is a national, nonprofit organisation which aims to promote cancer-control policies and to reduce the illness caused by cancer in Australia. It advises various groups, including the government, on cancer-related issues, ...
,
Questacon Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre is an interactive science communication facility in Canberra, Australia. It is a museum with more than 200 interactive exhibits related to science and technology. The National Science an ...
(National Science and Technology Centre), Old Treasury Building, The Maths and Science Advisory Council (Vic) and is currently on the
City of Melbourne The City of Melbourne is a Local government in Australia, local government area in Victoria, Australia, located in the Melbourne central business district, central city area of Melbourne. In 2021, the city has an area of and had a populati ...
Prevention of Violence Against Women Committee


Awards

Jennings is the recipient of multiple awards, including: * Member of the
Order of Australia The Order of Australia is an Australian honours and awards system, Australian honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Monarch ...
in the
2020 Australia Day Honours The 2020 Australia Day Honours are appointments to various orders and honours to recognise and reward good works by Australian citizens. The list was announced on 26 January 2020 by the Governor General of Australia, David Hurley. The Australi ...
for "significant service to science, and to the broadcast media." * 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)Jennings, Gael
Michael Daley Science Journalism Award
/ref> * Amgen Excellence in Biotechnology Award (1995) * Peter Grieve Medical Journalism Award (1993) * English Speaking Union Scholarship * American Field Service Scholarship


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jennings, Gael 1951 births Living people Australian immunologists Australian women journalists Australian journalists Members of the Order of Australia University of Melbourne alumni WEHI alumni