Alison Preston
About Alison Preston
Alison Preston serves as the Co-Director and Head of Research for the Making Sense of Media programme at Ofcom, where she has worked since 2019. She holds a Ph.D. in the marketisation of the UK TV news industry and has extensive experience in media literacy research and regulatory collaboration.
Work at Ofcom
Alison Preston has held multiple roles at Ofcom, the UK independent communications regulator. She currently serves as Co-Director and Head of Research for the Making Sense of Media programme since 2019. In addition, she has been the Head of Media Literacy Research since 2012 and has worked as Head of Research for BBC performance since 2017. Her extensive experience at Ofcom includes a previous position as Senior Research Associate in Consumer Research from 2003 to 2012. Her work focuses on media literacy, digital media consumption, and the impact of digital platforms on traditional media.
Education and Expertise
Alison Preston has a strong academic background in communications and media studies. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in English with French from the University of Sussex from 1984 to 1988. She then completed a Master's Degree in Communications Studies at the University of Leeds in 1991. Preston pursued her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) at the University of Stirling, focusing on the marketisation of the UK TV news industry from 1996 to 2000. Her education has equipped her with the expertise necessary for her roles in media research and regulation.
Background
Alison Preston has a diverse background in media research and regulation. She began her career at Ofcom, where she has spent a significant portion of her professional life. Her work spans over two decades, with a focus on understanding media consumption patterns and the implications of digital media on traditional formats. She has also participated in academic discussions, including a panel at the International Communication Association conference on media regulation.
Achievements
In her role at Ofcom, Alison Preston has co-authored a report on media literacy trends in the UK as part of the Making Sense of Media programme. She has developed a framework for assessing digital media literacy skills among various age groups in the UK. Additionally, she has collaborated with international regulatory bodies to share insights on media consumption patterns and led research initiatives to explore the impact of digital platforms on traditional media consumption.