Olive Vassell is a faculty member in the Division of Arts & Humanities at UDC, specializing in Digital Media. Vassell has extensive experience in research, focusing on Black Britain and Black Europe. She has contributed to several publications, including Mapping Black Europe: Monuments, Markers, Memories, and serves as a reviewer for various academic organizations. Her work also includes supervising students in investigative journalism courses and establishing international partnerships. She has received several recognitions, including the Accomplishment in Research/Scholarship Award from UDC in 2024.
Experience
Education
Master of Arts in International Journalism, City University, London, UK Postgraduate Certificate, International Journalism, City University, London, UK Bachelor of Arts in French and Arabic, Westminster University, Londo,n UK
Roles
Peer Reviewer, Fulbright Specialist Program, 2024-Present Grant Reviewer, Humanities D.C., 2024-Present Member, HBCU Consortium Committee, Center for Journalism & Democracy, 2024-Present SME Reviewer, Quality Matters, Indiana University, 2019 Review Committee Member, National Newspaper Publishers Association, 2017, 2018, 2021-22 Conference Paper Reviewer, Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, 2017, 2021, 2022
Courses Taught
Media Literacy & History Portfolio Project Data Journalism Magazine Writing Copy Editing Web Journalism Media Ethics Fundamentals of Journalism Publication Lab Fundamentals of Journalism Reporting Field Reporting
Expertise
Supervising UDC students in Center for Journalism & Democracy Investigative Journalism course
Creating MOUs with local and foreign institutions and organizations, including the Institut Supérieur de l’Information et de la Communication, Rabat, Morocco, and Humanities D.C.
Research Focus / Works in Progress
Black Britain; Black Europe; qualitative Inquiry
Leadership
Specialist, Fulbright Program, 2022
Impact
Selected Publications
Kelly, N., & Vassell, O. (Eds.). (2023). Mapping Black Europe: Monuments, markers, memories. Columbia University Press.
Vassell, O. (2020). The Black British and Irish press. In M. Conboy, A. Bingham, A. Ackerley, & C. Shoop-Worrall (Eds.), The Edinburgh history of the British and Irish press, Vol. 1. Edinburgh University Press.
Selected Presentations
Vassell, O. (2024). Best Practices in teaching with technology and micro-credentials at HBCUs. Broadcast Education Association, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Vassell, O. (2023). Memory culture in Black communities in Europe. Oslo Museum, Oslo, Norway.
Vassell, O. (2023). Best practices for online learning. Howard University Center for Online Learning, Washington, D.C.
Selected Grants
United States State Department. (2024). Inspiring Diplomatic and Educational Advancement for Students (IDEAS) Grant.
Center for Journalism & Democracy. (2024). Newroom innovation grant.
Creative Impact Fund. (2023). Innovation grant.
Recognitions
Accomplishment in Research/Scholarship Award, College of Arts & Sciences, UDC, 2024 Scholar of Promise Award, College of Arts & Sciences, UDC, 2012 Moneith Award, College of Arts & Sciences, UDC, 2012
Invited Participations
Vassell, O. (2024). Presenter. Fulbright Alumni Association, Virtual. Vassell, O. (2023). Presenter. Fulbright Alumni Association, Virtual. Vassell, O. (2023). Presenter. Young, Gifted, & Black, Virtual. Vassell, O. (2020). Presenter. University of Copenhagen, Virtual. Vassell, O. (2019). Presenter. British Council, Washington, D.C.
