Damien John O’Meara (he/him) is a Lecturer, Public Relations in the School of Media and Communication. His background is in communication and public relations, screen, media, and cultural studies. His research interests include communication practice in creative and entertainment industries, production culture, participatory culture, celebrity, and gender and sexuality.
Damien's thesis examines the production culture influences on gender and sexually diverse stories appearing in Australian scripted television. Through analysis of 18 original interviews with Australian television creatives and executives, political-economic, content, and textual analysis, it illuminates how industry anxieties about queer content shifted over the period of 2011–2021. Damien is currently adapting this thesis into his first scholarly monograph.
As a Lecturer in the Bachelor of Professional Communication, Damien draws together his industry experience and research focus to examine how industries work, and the role of communication practice within creative fields.
Industry experience:
Damien has over a decade of experience in strategic communication across the government, community and education sectors. He has led major integrated campaigns, such as the Victoria State Government Free TAFE campaign, stakeholder policy and engagement programs, crisis communication, and internal change communication. Damien is a Board Member for the Melbourne Queer Film Festival, where he enjoys bringing together his expertise in strategic communication and his research interests in creative and entertainment industries.
Media engagement
Damien publishes analysis of media and communication industries in The Conversation, and has been interviewed on ABC News Digital, ABC News Radio, Behind the News (BTN), Joy 94.9, and 3CR.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.