Dr Elisha Merick Magolanga is a distinguished academician, researcher, and media consultant with expertise in journalism, mass communication, and media management. Currently serving as a Lecturer at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), he possesses extensive experience spanning both academia and the media industry. His professional competencies include news writing, investigative journalism, media management, online journalism, and the integration of artificial intelligence in media content creation.

Before transitioning into academia, Dr Magolanga honed his journalistic skills as a reporter for The Citizen newspaper, where he gained invaluable experience in news reporting, editorial processes, and in-depth storytelling. This practical background has significantly enriched his pedagogical approach, enabling him to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and industry practice in journalism and mass communication.

Dr Magolanga holds a PhD in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Dar es Salaam, a Master of Arts in Journalism and Media Management from the University of Iringa, and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Tumaini University, Iringa University College.

With over a decade of experience, he has held various academic and administrative positions, including serving as an Assistant Lecturer at Saint Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT) and the University of Iringa (UoI). Additionally, he has been the Coordinator of Practical Training at UDSM since January 2024 and remains actively involved in undergraduate and postgraduate research supervision and media training.

Beyond academia, Dr Magolanga has played a pivotal role in monitoring and evaluation (M&E) initiatives, demonstrating expertise in impact assessment and policy evaluation. He served as an M&E Officer for the Care-TABASAM Community Scorecard project at Care International, contributing to the evaluation of programme effectiveness and community engagement strategies. Furthermore, he has been involved in technical team for Assessing the Economic and Operational Landscape of Media Houses in Tanzania Committees under the Ministry of Information, Communication, and Information Technology, with a focus on media sustainability and industry resilience. His consultancy work extends to developing communication strategies for the Tanzania Education Authority (TEA) and conducting public relations training for various organisations.

Dr Magolanga’s scholarly contributions have been published in esteemed journals, including the UMMA Journal of Contemporary Literature and Creative Arts and the Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology. His research interests encompass development journalism in digital media, media economics, and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in journalism and mass communication.

He is also proficient in a range of media and research software, including Adobe InDesign, Adobe Premiere Pro, Canva, SPSS, and AI-driven content creation tools. His recent engagements include training journalists on AI applications in journalism, contributing to the

Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) strategy for quality content creation, and conducting investigative journalism workshops.

A passionate advocate for innovation in journalism education and practice, Dr Magolanga remains committed to mentoring and shaping the next generation of journalists through research, practical training, and industry collaborations.