Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism

The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism (RISJ) is a research centre and professional forum at the University of Oxford focused on journalism, news media and the role of information in contemporary societies. Established in 2006 within Oxford’s Department of Politics and International Relations, the institute combines academic research with engagement from working journalists, editors, publishers, broadcasters, digital media specialists and policymakers. Its purpose is to help explain how news is produced, distributed, consumed and trusted as media systems change. The institute is associated with Green Templeton College and operates the Thomson Reuters Journalism Fellowship Programme, commonly known as the Reuters Fellowship. The programme brings experienced journalists to Oxford for a period of study and reflection, allowing them to pursue individual research projects while participating in seminars and discussions with scholars and other media professionals. The institute also hosts academic and visiting research fellows and convenes public events, seminars and conferences intended to connect journalism practice with social-science research. RISJ’s publication programme covers subjects including digital news, audience behaviour, trust, misinformation, platform power, public-service media, business models, innovation, artificial intelligence and the future of journalism. Its best-known recurring publication is the Digital News Report, an annual international study of news consumption and attitudes toward news. The report draws on survey research across multiple markets and is widely used by media organisations, researchers, public institutions and journalism commentators to assess changes in digital news use. The institute also publishes forward-looking work on trends in the news industry and shorter research reports addressing specific developments in media and journalism. The institute is funded through core support from the Thomson Reuters Foundation together with additional contributions from media companies, foundations, science academies and other international partners. It is not a publicly listed company or an independent commercial media outlet; its institutional setting is Oxford University, while its research and programmes operate with substantial international reach. RISJ’s work is intended to be independent academic and professional research, although its funding relationships and the wider debate over media research require ongoing attention to transparency and governance. Governance includes a chair and an advisory board drawn from journalism, academia, media management and public life. Alan Rusbridger, a former senior newspaper editor and former principal of Lady Margaret Hall, has chaired the institute. Rasmus Kleis Nielsen served as director for many years before stepping down in 2024. Mitali Mukherjee, who had previously held roles connected with the Journalist Fellowship Programme and served as deputy and acting director, succeeded him as director. Through its research, fellowships and events, RISJ functions as a bridge between Oxford scholarship and the international working news industry.

The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism was established at the University of Oxford in 2006. It was created within the Department of Politics and International Relations to study journalism and news media at a time when the internet, digital publishing and changing audience habits were reshaping the economics and public role of news. From its beginning, the institute was designed to connect academic inquiry with the experience of journalists and media organisations rather than treating journalism solely as either a professional craft or an object of scholarly study. The institute operates in association with Green Templeton College and developed a broad programme combining research, fellowships, seminars and publications. Its Thomson Reuters Journalism Fellowship Programme, generally called the Reuters Fellowship, brings established journalists to Oxford for a period of research and professional development. Fellows pursue individual projects and participate in an intellectual community involving researchers, visiting speakers and other media professionals. The programme has helped reinforce the institute’s role as a meeting point between international journalism practice and university-based research. RISJ’s research has addressed the transformation of news production and distribution, including digital subscriptions, platform dependence, social-media news, audience fragmentation, trust, misinformation, public-service journalism and innovation. Its publication programme includes academic and policy-oriented studies as well as research aimed at newsroom leaders and the wider media industry. The annual Digital News Report became the institute’s most visible recurring project. Based on international survey research, it tracks how people access news, which brands and platforms they use, their attitudes toward trust and participation, and how patterns differ between countries and demographic groups. Its findings are frequently cited in discussions about the future of journalism and the health of information ecosystems. The institute also publishes annual or periodic work examining expected developments in the news industry. These publications, together with seminars and public events, give RISJ a role in interpreting structural changes that affect publishers, broadcasters, digital platforms and audiences. Its international orientation means that its research is not limited to the British media market, even though its institutional base is in Oxford. Funding comes from core support provided by the Thomson Reuters Foundation and from additional support by media companies, foundations, science academies and other partners around the world. The institute is part of Oxford University rather than a standalone listed company, and its work is presented as research on global journalism and news media. Its governance includes a chair and an advisory board with figures from journalism, academia, media entrepreneurship and public life. Alan Rusbridger has served as chair. Rasmus Kleis Nielsen was director for an extended period and left the role in 2024. Mitali Mukherjee, who had previously worked with the institute’s fellowship and leadership functions, became director after the transition. The institute remains active as a research, fellowship and convening organisation focused on the future of news.

1. 2024Directorate passed from Rasmus Kleis Nielsen to Mitali Mukherjee

   After Rasmus Kleis Nielsen stepped down as director, Mitali Mukherjee succeeded him following earlier roles as deputy and acting director and as a leader of the Journalist Fellowship Programme.

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2. 2006Institute founded at the University of Oxford

   The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism was established within Oxford’s Department of Politics and International Relations to study journalism, news media and information in modern societies.

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3. 2006Journalism fellowship programme operated by the institute

   The institute became associated with the Thomson Reuters Journalism Fellowship Programme, which brings experienced journalists to Oxford for research and professional development.

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An Oxford-based international research centre positioned at the intersection of academic media research and professional journalism practice.

• Digital News ReportInternational research report

  An annual international study of how audiences access, use and evaluate news. It examines subjects such as digital platforms, trust, news avoidance, subscriptions, social-media distribution and differences between national media environments. The report is used by researchers, news organisations, policymakers and journalism commentators as a comparative reference on developments in digital news consumption.

• Thomson Reuters Journalism Fellowship ProgrammeProfessional fellowship

  A fellowship programme that brings experienced journalists to Oxford for a period of study, individual research and professional reflection. Fellows engage with institute researchers and visiting speakers while investigating issues relevant to journalism and news media. The programme is also known as the Reuters Fellowship.

• News industry trends and predictionsForecasting and research publication

  Recurring research on expected developments in the news industry, including audience behaviour, business models, technology, newsroom innovation and the strategic challenges facing publishers and broadcasters. These publications translate research findings into a format useful to media professionals and decision-makers.

• Seminars and research eventsAcademic and professional convening

  The institute hosts seminars, lectures, conferences and discussions that bring together academics, journalists, editors, media executives and other specialists. These events support exchange between journalism practice and research on the changing news environment.

• 2024Leadership transition under a continuing global-news research missionStrategy

  The institute’s long-serving director Rasmus Kleis Nielsen stepped down after an extended tenure, creating a leadership transition for a centre whose work spans academic research, professional fellowships and international media analysis.

  What changed. Mitali Mukherjee succeeded Nielsen as director after previously serving in deputy and acting-director capacities and leading the Journalist Fellowship Programme.

  Aftermath. The institute continued its research, fellowship and publication activities under new leadership.

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• 2024Reuters Institute leadership changes in 2024

  Long-serving director Rasmus Kleis Nielsen stepped down, and Mitali Mukherjee succeeded him after previously holding deputy, acting-director and fellowship-programme responsibilities.

  Leadership change
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• Digital News Report continues as the institute’s signature international publication

  The institute’s annual Digital News Report continued to provide comparative evidence on news consumption, digital audiences and public attitudes toward news across international markets.

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1. Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism
2. Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism official website
3. Digital News Report