Former PA editor Jonathan Grun takes up University of Sheffield role

Former Press Association editor Jonathan Grun has joined the University of Sheffield's journalism department in a newly created, part-time position.

Grun’s role as professional chair will involve establishing a new advisory board for the department as well as running masterclasses and giving careers advice to students.

Joint head of department professor Marie Kinsey said: "Jonathan has been a friend of the department for many years, as has PA. Many of our students have gone on to PA training schemes and worked for them and it seems a natural extension of the relationship which has been going almost as long as the department has.

"His experience, his contacts and his background are exactly the sort of thing the department needs.’’

Grun joined PA in 1979 and was appointed editor in 2000. He retired in May 2015.

In a statement he said: "It is a tremendous honour to be appointed to this role. I have admired the work of the Department of Journalism Studies for many years.

"Quite simply, Sheffield University trains some brilliant journalists and does important research work. Our society needs robust, ethical journalism and Sheffield University plays an important part in making that happen."