Innovations in journalism and communication theory, research and practice have the potential to improve or diminish the quality of our lives, the content of our minds, and the character of our democracy and society.
We have a vital, even unique, role in examining these topics, training students to grapple with the issues, and proposing theories and practices that will ensure a robust debate and create a more informed and enlightened citizenry. We are also interested in the practical application of our research findings. We have major grants that look at issues such as improving public discourse and political campaigns, using interactive technologies to improve public health news, and the coverage of sexual orientation in the news media. And we operate fellowship programs for mid-career journalists to improve coverage of justice issues and specialized reporting areas.