She teaches broadcast writing, reporting and documentary. Her research areas include community newspapers, media concentration and media development in conflict stressed states and emerging democracies.

Ms. Kierans is also a freelance newspaper columnist for the Sunday Herald in Halifax and news editor/producer for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the country's public broadcaster. She spent 22 years working in news and current affairs for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in the Maritimes

She has trained broadcast journalists in Cambodia and presented at the International Oceans Institute. She is the vice-president of Media and Democracy Group, a Canadian NGO that trains journalists in emerging and post-conflict countries. She sits on the Halifax Board of LOVE, Leave Out ViolencE.

She holds a BA (Hons) in Classics from King's/Dalhousie and a MA in Atlantic Canada Studies from Saint Mary's University.