the client seeks an accomplished industry professional and/or scholar with an industry-focused research portfolio to serve as the Knight Chair in Audience Engagement and Trust in Media (the client). Supported by an endowed philanthropic foundation, this role is part of a select network of professionals and scholars who bridge newsroom and classroom work through innovative teaching, major outreach projects, and the chair’s own research or creative activity. Together, the chair advances journalism and media education by developing new models for the field, fostering partnerships, and producing research or creative work that strengthens public trust and transparency in media.
the chair will join the client at a pivotal time for journalism, as news organizations navigate declining trust, audience fragmentation, and rapid technological advancements. The role is expected to lead a visible, applied effort to understand why large segments of the public feel unseen or underserved by news and information venues, and to test practical ways to rebuild trust. Working at the intersection of journalism, technology, and democracy, the chair will help connect research faculty and professors of practice, using educational and operational environments as laboratories for experimentation to support applied learning and innovation.
the chair is expected to maintain an active research and/or service portfolio, contributing to academic publications for scholars and working directly with the news community. Both professionals and scholars are expected to provide thought leadership that drives innovation across industry and education, including the development of training and education programs that support the client’s learning initiatives. Through teaching, mentorship, and public engagement, the chair will collaborate with faculty, professionals, and students to integrate audience engagement strategies into journalism education and practice, helping prepare future journalists to report with integrity, empathy, and technological fluency.