Globe and Mail Foreign Editor Angela Murphy credits Arts & Science with giving her the tools to better understand the world she covers every day as a journalist.
The English literature and political science double major earned her bachelor of arts degree as a member of Victoria College in 1986. Murphy cherished both programs, whether when learning about Canada’s place on the world stage or analyzing the historical circumstances of famous fiction.
"When you’re a journalist, it's so important to know history,” says Murphy. “You need context for today’s current events, and studying the arts informs our humanity — it’s the universal glue that holds us together as a civilization and I wouldn't trade that experience for anything.”
Murphy got her first taste of journalism as a reporter with U of T’s independent campus publication, called simply the newspaper, where she reported on university politics and governance and learned typesetting.
“I met lots of people and I learned how to produce story ideas on the fly. Student newspapers are a wonderful place to hone your skills,” she says.
When you’re a journalist, it's so important to know history. You need context for today’s current events, and studying the arts informs our humanity — it’s the universal glue that holds us together as a civilization and I wouldn't trade that experience for anything.
John Kirton, a professor with the Department of Political Science, instructed Murphy during her undergraduate and remembers her as a standout student.
“She was a great communicator and could always convey the essence of not just the facts, but the world view of the intended listener,” recalls Kirton, a Trinity College fellow. “She was very engaging and the kind of student who you knew would succeed.”
Her U of T experience sparked a passion and inspired her to earn a master’s degree in journalism from Western University after graduation. Following a stint at the St. Catharine’s Standard, she forged a successful career as a copy editor with the National Post and then as a city editor for the Globe, overseeing coverage of Mayor Rob Ford’s chaotic term at Toronto City Hall.
Then, as special projects editor, Murphy was part of an investigation into missing and murdered Indigenous women, holding federal politicians accountable for promises to reconcile a dark side of Canadian history.
“That’s the reason I do this job,” she says. “It’s so satisfying when you get to dig deep into something, and you hope you’re going to get some government action.”
Next, Murphy set her sights on international headlines as the Globe’s foreign editor, coordinating coverage for three U.S. elections, the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
In her role, Murphy still gives back to U of T. Each year she grants media accreditation to several U of T students travelling to the G7 and G20 summits with Kirton’s research groups.
Traditional media is going through a tough time but there are still so many opportunities to do journalism in non-traditional places; it’s an honourable profession and a worthwhile pursuit.
As editor, Murphy oversees reporters in bureaus around the world from Washington to Kyiv, but she never forgets her roots, stressing the importance of keeping local news alive for Canadians from coast to coast to coast.
“It’s essential to hold local politicians and authorities to account and if that ever stops happening, I think we’re all in trouble,” she says.
These days, Murphy coordinates coverage with international implications. Big stories can lead to big burnout — something that’s forced many journalists to surrender their press pass — but Murphy still craves the adrenaline only news can offer.
“Many journalists wear themselves out because they love what they do, but to me, this work always feels so important and that’s very rewarding,” she shares.
Murphy hopes other U of T students and alum will find that same fire. She says those seeking a career in journalism shouldn’t be discouraged by shuttered newsrooms and dwindling advertising dollars; the work is important, and the jobs are still out there.
“Traditional media is going through a tough time but there are still so many opportunities to do journalism in non-traditional places; it’s an honourable profession and a worthwhile pursuit.”