John, 45, is Executive Producer of Radio Australia English, a behind-the-scenes but influential position he has held for the past four years. This includes directing Radio Australia's program output to the region including the Pacific news magazine Pacific Beat.

He has a print media background and has been with ABC Radio for 17 years as a reporter and producer. During that time he spent three years working at Radio Beijing in China as a journalist / broadcaster trainer - he speaks basic Mandarin. He also worked in the Philippines training media personnel in an NGO program jointly run by UNICEF and the ABC. He has also traveled and worked in Singapore and Malaysia, and his Asia-interest extends to his family hosting students from Hong Kong and China.

John said that through his fellowship, he wants to expand his knowledge of the media in Southeast Asia as well as his networks. He plans to use his fellowship to work in a radio station in Vietnam.