Galway Professor Accused Of Falsely Claiming Doctorate

Qualification Not Completed

Tom Felle, an associate professor at University of Galway’s Department of Journalism and Media, has been described as “Dr Tom Felle” on the university’s website and in prospectuses. Felle claims to have a doctorate in journalism from City, University of London, where he previously worked as a senior lecturer. A former senior academic at the institution stated that Felle registered for a PhD by prior publication but did not complete the degree and left the university a couple of years afterwards. The degree was therefore never awarded.

Academic Regulations Contradict Claims

Felle described his qualification as a “PhD by prior publication,” a shorter thesis based on journal articles completed over five or six years. However, City St George’s regulations require that such a qualification must meet the same standard of academic excellence as a typical PhD. The university requires all PhD students to have a supervisor and to undergo external examination and a viva voce defence. Multiple current and former staff and PhD students confirmed that a PhD would not progress without a supervisor and would not be awarded without external examination and a viva.

No Record of Thesis or Graduation

Although Felle stated he was awarded the PhD in 2022, there is no record of a thesis by Felle in the City University library. When asked why the library does not hold a copy, Felle replied he did not know. City St George’s declined to confirm whether Felle is an alumnus, citing data protection obligations. The university later confirmed that none of the four journalism PhDs awarded in the 2021/22 and 2022/23 academic years was awarded by prior publication, contradicting Felle’s claim. While video footage exists of Felle in doctoral robes at a University of Galway ceremony, Felle told Prime Time he did not attend his own doctoral graduation in December 2022 because it was during the pandemic, although travel restrictions had been lifted by early 2022.