The following research centres and groups in Australia and the South Pacific focus on news, media, and journalism. For updates, additions, or removals, please email the VP (Media).
Asia Pacific Media Network | Te Koakoa Inc
The Asia Pacific Media Network is a group of 19 independent researchers, journalists and communication advocates in Australia, Fiji and Aotearoa New Zealand that emerged out of the Pacific Media Centre at AUT University after it closed in 2020. The not-for-profit Network publishes the Pacific Journalism Review, a long established globally ranked research journal that is due to celebrate its 30th year of publication in 2024 and is closely associated with other award-winning media publications specialising in in-depth reportage and research on the Asia Pacific region, including Asia Pacific Report and Café Pacific. While the Network is independent, it collaborates with the University of the South Pacific with a focus on Global South perspectives. It is based at the Whānau Community Hub and Centre in Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa New Zealand.
Asia-Pacific Regional Working Group, Journalism Safety Research Network
The Working Group is part of the Journalism Safety Research Network (JSRN), a global network with over 200 researchers from more than 50 countries. Since 2016, the JSRN has been facilitating research co-operation and innovation aimed at tackling the complex issues of journalism safety through conferences, publications and policy proposals. You can read more about the JSRN here. The JSRN also seeks to present and promote academic voices in the context of the development of international policy agendas on journalism safety and the implementation of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, which you can read about here. If you have any questions, please contact the Regional Working Group co-leads Ms Clare Arthurs carthurs@swin.edu.au i
Centre for Advancing Journalism, University of Melbourne
The Centre undertakes research aimed at exploring and improving journalism practice, with an emphasis on public interest and community interaction.
The Centre for Media History, Macquarie University
The Centre works with industry to uncover and investigate the history of the rapidly changing media and communications landscape. Its members include award-winning scholars and media practitioners who engage with industry and the community to create innovative historical works. The Centre hosts events, from major conferences and public lectures, to intimate workshops and masterclasses. It provides world-class databases and other electronic resources designed to preserve and make available our media heritage, and works closely with equivalent centres throughout the world.
Centre for Media Transition, University of Technology Sydney
The Centre for Media Transition (CMT) is an applied research unit based at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). Launched in 2017, the CMT is an interdisciplinary initiative of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Law. It sits at the intersection of media, journalism, technology, ethics, regulation and business.
News & Media Research Centre, University of Canberra
The News and Media Research Centre (N&MRC) advances public understanding of the changing media environment. N&MRC is Australia’s nationally recognised research centre for the study of news media industries, audiences and public discourse. At a time of epistemic crisis for the media industries, we research and advocate for a media system that builds trust, inclusivity and diversity, to defend and repair the social fabric.
News, Media & Journalism Research Group, QUT
The News, Media, and Journalism Research Group is a collection of some 20 members at the world-leading QUT Digital Media Research Centre who are committed to producing research that is reflexive, reciprocal, transdisciplinary, and that contributes to the public good. Its members investigate journalism’s users, creators, histories, cultures, practices, texts, communities of interest and impacts to provide knowledge that can sustain and improve journalism’s functioning in and for a changing world. Its members provide nuanced understandings of journalism, news, and media by taking into account under-represented actors in society. They also promote diverse voices and inclusivity, with particular emphases on the Global South, Asia-Pacific region, and Indigenous knowledges and perspectives.
Public Interest Journalism Initiative
PIJI is a non-partisan, specialist think tank focused on the sustainability of public interest journalism in Australia. PIJI aims to ensure sustainable financial support and investment for public interest journalism across the country. Its work provides an evidence base to inform practical policy solutions and constructive discourse on the importance of a robust, pluralistic news media, that serves the public interest. PIJI is guided by these key principles and goals; to act in the public interest, to ensure plurality of news production and neutrality of support and, to be independent, practical, and evidence-based in consideration of any options.