Solutions Journalism Hub

Solutions Journalism Hub

Solutions Journalism at the University of Georgia

A map of the United States in purple with the word HUB inside a dotted circle over the central region, next to a large black letter J and a dot.

Telling the whole story in the South

That’s the mission and purpose of the Solutions Journalism Hub of the South at the University of Georgia—to support storytelling that covers both the problems and the actions being taken to address them.

We are committed to advancing education, research and industry collaboration and innovation to improve the understanding and reach of solutions journalism, with a special focus on the southern United States.

As one of four inaugural Solutions Journalism Hubs named in 2021, the University of Georgia’s hub is uniquely positioned in the South to help newsrooms, students and researchers tell the whole story of our region. There are many problems here that we need good reporting on, but we want to also train storytellers to cover the responses — as a way to not only balance the narrative but provide audiences a way to engage.

We accomplish this in three main areas: teaching, research and service.

“Solutions journalism is rigorous and compelling reporting about responses, which includes how that response has worked, or why it hasn’t; insight (what can be learned from a response and why it matters); evidence (providing data or qualitative results that indicate effectiveness); and limitations (placing responses in context).”

View ways Grady College faculty are teaching solutions journalism to students.

STUDENT WORK

A diverse group of people stack their hands together in a show of unity and teamwork, reflecting the collaborative spirit often seen in solutions journalism, with more hands—some wearing bracelets and rings—reaching in from above.

How Athens is Prioritizing Support for Underrepresented Groups, Individual Needs

BY GRADY MULTIPLATFORM JOURNALISTS

A bright red fire hydrant with metal chains attached stands on vibrant green grass, symbolizing safety and resilience—much like the focus of solutions journalism in highlighting responses to community challenges.

TANKER TASK FORCE HELPS WITH LACK OF HYDRANTS

A green tractor pulls a red grain cart in a cornfield while corn is harvested and poured into the cart under a clear blue sky, illustrating solutions journalism in action on sustainable farming practices.

Growing Solutions: Documentary on Addressing Environmental Issues Through Communities

Teaching

Teaching

Our teaching supports collegiate solutions journalism education in the region, offering fellow educators another source for community. We incorporate solutions journalism in our own curriculum, especially in the capstone courses where students produce and publish solutions-oriented news. We are interested in hosting and facilitating pedagogical discussions and resource sharing in order to make solutions journalism a core element of journalism curriculum.

A woman in a purple blouse stands at the front of a classroom, pointing at a large projected newspaper article on solutions journalism while students sit at desks and listen attentively.
Photo: UGA Marketing and Communications

Research

Research

With an additional focus on solutions visual journalism, our research supports scholarship studying the production, presentation, distribution and reception of solutions journalism. We welcome graduate students who wish to incorporate this as part of their studies and thesis work, as well as outside scholars who are interested in collaboration.

Five people sit on a stage in front of a blue-lit panel wall. Four women and one man, holding a microphone and gesturing as he discusses solutions journalism. An American flag is in the background.

Service

Service

Our service supports training and outreach for professional journalists and newsrooms. We serve as a home base for tools and techniques within the industry, and work to establish collaborative connections between newsrooms in the South doing this type of work. We often send our faculty and students out into the region to support solutions journalism initiatives and practices.

A woman wearing glasses and a white coat types on a laptop at a wooden table with papers, a drink cup, and another laptop nearby. She appears focused, working in a casual office setting on solutions journalism projects with natural light.

Solutions Journalism Primer

An infographic titled Solutions Journalism Explainer defines solutions journalism, contrasts it with non-examples, and provides sample evidence, insight, and limitations questions. Illustrated are a microphone and people discussing solutions journalism.

Solutions pre-election reporting guide

Additional Resources

Solutions Journalism Story Tracker

Solutions Journalism on Grady Newsource

Solutions Journalism in The Oglethorpe Echo

A yellow and orange speech bubble made of patchwork shapes sits left of the bold orange text: Constructive Journalism in the South, highlighting a commitment to solutions journalism.
Also visit https://constructivesouth.us, an open collaborative exploring the value of constructive reporting in the South.

Directors

  • A headshot of Amanda Bright.

    Amanda Bright

    Clinical Associate Professor; Director, Cox Institute Journalism Innovation Lab

    ABOUT Amanda Bright, PhD, MJE, is a clinical associate professor specializing in community journalism, news product innovation, design and pedagogy. She is the managing editor of Grady Newsource, assistant editor […]

  • A headshot of Kyser Lough.

    Kyser Lough

    Associate Professor; Director, News Literacy Certificate

    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 […]

  • Headshot of Ralitsa Vassileva

    Ralitsa Vassileva

    Senior Lecturer

    About: Ralitsa Vassileva teaches undergraduate students through hands-on learning and personalized feedback. She leads courses in live and breaking news for TV and digital dissemination, social media content creation, environmental […]

Contact Us

Questions about Solutions Journalism Hub?

Dr. Kyser Lough, Co-director, Research Lead
KyserL@uga.edu

Events

A group of people in graduation regalia sit in a row of chairs applauding.

Low Residency MFA in Narrative Media Writing Graduation 2026

On Saturday, Aug. 1, there will be a ceremony celebrating graduates of the Low Residency Masters of Fine Arts in Narrative Media Writing.

Dean Davis and NABJ members and alumni pose for a picture.

NABJ Atlanta Alumni Reception

Save the date for Grady College’s NABJ Alumni Reception in Atlanta, ahead of the NABJ 2026 Convention and Career Fair. Participants may register here.

Entertainment Careers Week

Grady College Entertainment Careers Week will be held September 14 – 18, 2026.

One middle-aged man and three young women pose for a picture in a low-light environment.

Entertainment Careers Week Networking Night at Ciné

Save the date! Students and industry guests are encouraged to join us at Ciné in downtown Athens. Chat over some light bites and grow your professional network. This event is part of Entertainment Careers Week 2026. More information on submitting an RSVP will be added here soon.

Five students sit in a modern classroom with laptops and notebooks, engaged in discussion during the Grady Preview for Transfer Students. Other students and a bull mascot display are visible in the background through glass walls.

Intern Hours

Join us for Intern Hours, a peer networking event for Grady College students. Each session will feature a group of current Grady students who had or have internships in Summer or Fall 2026 or Spring 2027. Get tips on how they found their internships, how to prep for your own internship applications, what they did in the role and more. See details on this month’s featured interns on Instagram @UGAGradyCareers.

A woman speaks at the front of a classroom while many students raise their hands. Large windows reveal trees outside, and a banner highlights Grady Corporate Engagement alongside UGA’s nationally ranked program.

National AdPR Week

Grady College’s AdPR Week is a celebration of the students, faculty and alumni who are part of the Department of Advertising and Public Relations. It will be held October 5 – 9, 2026.