Dr Mark Benson

Overview

Life before Ulster

Prior to academia, Mark spent twenty years working in the media industry. During this time he produced, directed and developed programmes broadcast on the BBC, ITV, RTÉ, C4, UTV, TV3, Radio Ulster and TG4. In addition to documentaries for the UK Foreign Office and Channel 4, Mark's work comprised of multi-camera studio and location projects, live and as-live, that included formats for entertainment, music, comedy, magazine shows, chat shows and game shows. In addition, Mark developed, produced and directed single-camera presenter led location programmes.

Prior to his current position at Ulster University, Mark completed his PhD in History and post doctoral work at Queen's University, Belfast before taking up a lecturing post at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University in Suzhou, China. Whilst at QUB, he also worked with the Widening Participation Unit.

Teaching

Mark currently supervises all final year projects linked to a multi-camera environment. As module coordinator he teaches Cinematography, Live Broadcast and the Diploma in Professional Practice (work placement year). Mark has previously taught Introduction to Storytelling, Short Film and acted as a dissertation supervisor.

Research

Social histories linked to abortion provision.

Mark T.S. Benson, Northern Irish Abortions: A History, 1900-1968 (forthcoming with
Liverpool University Press, 2025)

Jennifer Trouton and Mark T.S. Benson (eds), One of Many: a collection of artistic works and
short essays (Royal Hibernian Academy/UU/NI Arts Council funded publication, 2024)