Damien J. O'Meara

Damien John O’Meara (he/him) is a Lecturer, Public Relations in the School of Media and Communication focusing on communication, brand and visibility in creative industries. His research considers ways self-branding, nation branding, and mediated visibility function within Australia’s creative industries. Further, he examines how creative workers and media institutions construct and negotiate identity, create value, define and reach audiences, and include underrepresented communities, with a particular focus on queer representation.

Damien's PhD (Swinburne University of Technology) 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.