Academic biography

Kevin Rafter is Full Professor of Political Communication at Dublin City University and a former political journalist. He has written extensively on Irish politics and media, including acclaimed biographies and histories of key political parties. His latest book, 'Dillon Rediscovered', has been widely praised and was described as ‘vivid, compelling’ (Sunday Times), ‘breaks new ground’ (Irish Times), ‘fascinating’ (Irish Examiner) and ‘truly exceptional’ (Irish Independent). He has chaired both the Arts Council and Culture Ireland, and was a Fulbright Scholar at Boston College in 2024.
 

Since joining DCU in 2010, Kevin has been Head of the School of Communications, Associate Dean for Research and Chair of the MA in Political Communications. His book publications also include ‘The Irish Presidency: Power, Ceremony & Politics’ (co-editor; new edition 2026) and ‘Taoisigh and the Arts’ (2022).

He is also the Irish contact for the international Worlds of Journalism project and oversees DCU’s annual journalism scholarship programme at the Washington Bureau of Arizona State University. He is a member of the editorial boards of Administration and Journalism Practice, and has edited special editions of both journals as well as The Irish Review.

As well as chairing the two national bodies responsible for the arts in Ireland, he has served as a board member of commercial and not-for-profit organisations including Chair of Compliance Committee of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (now Media Commission). His contribution to Irish public life has also included chairing  an independent expert taskforce on civil service reform as well as facilitating government formation negotiations as an independent rapporteur/facilitator.

Previously, he was Head of the Department of Film and Media at the National Film School, IADT and prior to 2008 worked as a leading political journalist. He reported on the Irish general elections in 1997, 2002 and 2007 as well as the peace process in Northern Ireland. Best known as a presenter of the This Week radio programme for RTÉ News & Current Affairs, he held senior editorial positions with the Irish Times (political reporter), the Sunday Times (political correspondent), Sunday Tribune (political editor/assistan