The Department of Journalism has joined forces with major UK Publisher Johnston Press in an exciting new initiative that aims to exploit the benefits of new and emerging digital technology.

The three year collaboration, worth around £200,000, includes the appointment of the Johnston Press Chair in Digital Journalism Development, Jane Singer, at the University. Professor Singer joined the department in January 2007.

Tim Bowdler, Chief Executive of Johnston Press said: "The rapid evolution of digital technology presents huge opportunities and challenges to traditional media companies.

"Through the newly established Chair in Digital Journalism, Johnston Press is delighted to partner with the Department of Journalism and to give added impetus to its already well recognised commitment to exploring new forms of factual content creation, production and dissemination.

Determined

"Johnston Press is determined to take maximum advantage of the new opportunities which digital developments present and our partnership with the University will undoubtedly further this aim."

Funded by Johnston Press, the Chair will form the cornerstone of the partnership between the two organisations. UCLan is also funding a research assistant to assist the Chair in drawing up a research strategy that defines new approaches/methods to:

• The exploration of digital applications for content acquisition (e.g. multi skilled reporters and reporting technologies)

• The exploration of digital applications for content production (copy flow, editorial management and logistics in the multi-media newsroom of the future)

• Exploring digital applications for content dissemination, including multi-media content converged onto one dissemination platform (e.g. the Web); but also the simultaneous dissemination of content on multiple platforms (e.g. hard copy, the Web and mobile)

Major implications

Head of the Department of Journalism Mike Ward said: "By the end of this decade, it’s forecasted there will be up to 1.5 billion computers connected via high-speed broadband and another 2.5 billion phones with more processing power than today’s PCs. This will undoubtedly have major implications for journalists and publishers alike.

"UCLan’s partnership with Johnston Press, which combines the expertise of one of the top journalism departments in the country with one of the UK’s major regional newspaper groups, presents us with a unique opportunity to investigate, challenge and inform development and debate in digital applications.

"The fruits of the partnership will be relevant, accessible and forward-looking analysis. Together we will produce materials for teaching, knowledge transfer and further research."

Institute of Digital Journalism

It is planned that the partnership will lead to the formation of a UCLan-based Institute of Digital Journalism.
Research will also inform students undertaking the full range of UCLan’s journalism courses including the Department’s new ground-breaking BA (Hons) degree in Digital Journalism Production.

The degree is aimed at the next generation of journalists who will use the latest technology to produce new types of journalism, viewed on mobile phones, PDAs, interactive television and online.

Enquiries from potential collaborators and clients are welcomed and should, in the first instance, be directed to the Research Coordinator for the Journalism Subject, Dr. Peter Anderson. Email: pjanderson1@uclan.ac.uk or telephone 01772 894744.

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