Solutions Journalism Hub

Solutions Journalism Hub

Solutions Journalism at the University of Georgia

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.

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.

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.

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.

Solutions Journalism Primer

Additional Resources

Solutions Journalism Story Tracker

Solutions Journalism on Grady Newsource

Solutions Journalism in The Oglethorpe Echo

Directors

  • A headshot of Kyser Lough.

    Kyser Lough

    Associate Professor

    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

    Lecturer

    About: Ralitsa Vassileva teaches undergraduate Newsource and Multiplatform Newsroom Projects courses. Her Newsource class learns how to report, produce, and present newscasts that go live on local cable. Her Multiplatform […]

Contact Us

Questions about Solutions Journalism Hub?

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

Events

PAW Coffee Bar

Grady students are welcome to enjoy a coffee bar presented by the Grady College Propelling Achievement for the Workplace (PAW) Program. Stop by the PAF starting at 9:30 a.m. for a treat and to learn about the program. (While supplies last)

Women in Media – A Seat at the Table 2025

UGA Women in Media hosts its Seat at the Table event. More information coming soon.

Dawg Day of Giving

For 24 hours, we’re #CallingAllDawgs to make a gift of any size to any area of UGA. The collective generosity of thousands of Bulldogs during Dawg Day of Giving supports scholarships and resources for students, enables innovative research, and helps the University of Georgia build a better tomorrow. For more information, please visit this site.

Cox Institute Dinner

This event is invite only. Location and other details will be provided on the invitation.

TEDxUGA 2025 – Destination

Our journeys are shaped by the people we meet and the places we explore. When we pursue new ideas, forge connections, and embrace new experiences, we deepen our understanding of one another and the world. The University of Georgia is a place where many paths cross for the first time, where ideas converge and new possibilities emerge. These moments of connection – on campus and beyond – remind us that the journey is as impactful as the destination. And now you’ve arrived at your next Destination: TEDxUGA 2025. For more information about the event, presenters, and more, please visit the 2025 event page. Learn more & Register: https://tedxuga.com/register/

Backlight

Backlight is a competitive festival that accepts submissions from undergraduate and graduate students at colleges and universities across the state of Georgia, with an average acceptance rate of 12%. Backlight accepts films in two categories: short-form (1-7 minutes) and mid-length (7-25 minutes).