Lough
Dr. Kyser Lough
About: Dr. Lough studies visual communication and solutions journalism, with an emphasis on photojournalism. He teaches graduate-level visual communication method & theory, as well as undergraduate photography and journalism ethics & diversity courses.
Education
Ph.D., Journalism, The University of Texas at Austin
M.A., Mass Communication, Murray State University
B.A., Public Relations, Murray State University
Research Interests and Activities
Dr. Lough researches visual communication and solutions journalism, both with an emphasis on photojournalism. He aims to advance the field of visual journalism further by incorporating his work into professional, research and classroom spaces.
His research explores questions of power, access and boundaries. Within visual communication, he studies how news images are made, selected and interpreted, as well as the photographers themselves in how they define and operate within their field as they fight for legitimacy and job security. His solutions journalism work investigates how it is conceptualized/created, audience effects and the interplay of words and images. Solutions journalism, a growing field of interest within journalism studies, compels journalists to go beyond just reporting about problems in a community by also covering what people are doing about it.
Dr. Lough has presented his research at both national and regional AEJMC conferences, as well as at ICA and specialty conferences. His research is published in peer-reviewed journals such as Journalism, Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, Journalism Practice, Visual Communication Quarterly, Digital Journalism and The Agenda Setting Journal.
Teaching Specialties
Dr. Lough’s teaching specialties include visual communication, specifically photojournalism, graphic design and visual method/theory, as well as general newswriting, ethics and related journalism courses.
Experience
Prior to pursuing his Ph.D., Dr. Lough spent 10 years as a photojournalist, reporter and public relations practitioner. His work has appeared for the Associated Press and NCAA and in the Austin American-Statesman, Lexington Herald-Leader, Louisville Courier-Journal, Murray Ledger & Times and American Hunter Magazine among others. He continues to freelance as a photographer in Athens and specializes in concert and sports photography.
Awards/Fellowships
Top 22 Under 40 Racer Young Alumni, Murray State University, 2022
Special Collections Libraries Faculty Fellow, University of Georgia, 2021
Rock Star Reviewer, International Communication Association, Visual Communication Studies division, 2020
Selected participant, Solutions Journalism Educators Academy, 2019
Graduate School Summer Fellowship, University of Texas at Austin, 2019
Jesse H. Jones Fellowship, Moody College of Communication, University of Texas at Austin, 2018
Inclusive Classrooms Leadership Certificate Seminar, 2018