This form of research in the human mind is a powerful but underutilized tool for facilitating engagement, one we believe can inform a new culture in newsrooms.” “Newsrooms have an expectation that their audiences consume and process information in a certain way, but we collectively have very little insight into the science of how that actually happens. “We’re convinced that insights from behavioral, cognitive and social science research can help newsrooms connect with their communities in new and meaningful ways,” said UFCJC Dean Diane McFarlin. Having a deeper understanding of the science behind consuming, processing and even avoiding information can help us create productive, collaborative partnerships between newsrooms and the communities they serve.” “We also know that this runs counter to decades of newsroom practices that intentionally keep the public at arm’s length. “We know that the public cares about the institution of journalism and wants to offer their expertise, experiences and diverse perspectives,” said Molly de Aguiar, managing director of the News Integrity Initiative. The yearlong, $250,000 project will also develop experimental curriculum and training for local newsrooms to help implement best practices from that research into news coverage tactics.

The University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) and the News Integrity Initiative are forming a new partnership to examine what research from multiple academic disciplines tells us about community engagement and trust in news. Project looks beyond literacy and platforms to how audiences process and view information to help inform newsroom strategiesĪpGainesville, Fla.

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