Solutions Journalism Hub

Solutions Journalism Hub

Solutions Journalism at the University of Georgia — Telling the whole story in the South

Overview

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.

For more information or to connect with our teaching efforts, contact Prof. Vassileva.

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.

For more information or to connect with our research efforts, contact Dr. Lough.

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.

For more information or to connect with our service efforts, contact Dr. Bright.

Directors

Dr. Amanda Bright

Co-director, Service Lead, Academic Professional

Dr. Bright’s research focuses on digital journalism along with post-secondary curriculum and instruction. She serves as the managing editor for Newsource’s eight digital products and as the instructor and assistant editor for The Oglethorpe Echo.

A headshot of Amanda Bright.

Dr. Kyser Lough

Co-director, Research Lead, Assistant Professor

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.

A headshot of Kyser Lough.

Ralitsa Vassileva

Co-director, Teaching Lead, Lecturer

Professor Vassileva teaches undergraduate Newsource and Multiplatform Newsroom Projects courses. Her Multiplatform Newsroom Projects students produce in-depth Multimedia reporting about Sustainability for student online and social media dissemination. Vassileva has 20+ years experience as CNN anchor & correspondent.

Headshot of Ralitsa Vassileva

Contact Us

Questions about Solutions Journalism Hub?

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

Events

Students walking outside of Grady College.

Prospective Student Day (Virtual)

Prospective Student Day is an opportunity for prospective high school and transfer students and their parents to learn more about Grady College. In addition to a guided tour, students will hear about admission and eligibility requirements and programs of study. Spring 2024 tour dates are Feb. 23, March 22 (virtual), April 12 and May 3 (virtual). Register here: https://grady.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_enQpNm1Ixq2GGIS For questions or to schedule a private visit, please contact: Marcella Genut, Prospective Student Advisor. Email: gradyprospective@uga.edu.

Spring 2024 Grady College Convocation

Congratulations to our spring 2024 graduates!

Grady College’s Spring 2024 Convocation Celebration will take place in the Grand Hall, Athens Classic Center at 300 N Thomas St. Doors will open at 12:30 p.m. for the ceremony that starts at 2 p.m. All students wishing to participate in the ceremony must arrive for check-in before 1:45 p.m. You will receive your name card and wait for the processional to begin. Graduates will have their names read in front of family, friends, faculty and staff as they walk across the stage. Dress is professional; caps and gowns are not worn for Grady Convocation. The ceremony will be live streamed. Tickets are not required for graduates or their guests for the convocation. Please RSVP here before May 1, 2024.
 

Four Grady College students pose for a photo in the PAF with graduation caps on.

Spring 2024 Grady College Graduation Celebration

Graduates and their parents are invited to celebrate with other graduates and faculty/staff at this drop-in celebration. Guests will enjoy light refreshments and photo opportunities with Dean Davis and others. Tickets are not required for the celebration at Grady.  

UGA Spring 2024 Undergraduate Commencement

Ceremony start time: 7:30 p.m. – Graduates should arrive by 6:45 p.m. Doors open: 5:30 p.m. Tickets are required for all graduates at the Spring Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony. More information will be posted to the website under Tickets. Tickets Graduates must register for a ticket to sit on the field. All eligible graduates will receive further instructions on ticket registration via email prior to the registration opening. Undergraduate students who apply to graduate for Spring 2024 or Summer 2024 by the graduation application deadline will be eligible to register for tickets. Check here for more information. For questions regarding eligibility for graduation, please contact the Office of the Registrar at reghelp@uga.edu.

GAB Radio Talent Institute

APPLICATIONS OPEN NOW! Take a huge step toward starting your career in On Air, Podcasting, Streaming, Audio Production, News/Talk, Sports, Social Media, Sales, Marketing, Promotions and more! This week-long opportunity runs May 13 – May 18, 2024. Limited need-based scholarships available. The Georgia Association of Broadcasters (GAB) Radio Talent Institute™ at the Grady College of Journalism creates opportunities for new and emerging careers in media.  It is truly an incubator of well-rounded, well-educated college students, or recent graduates with a passion for media and a determination to get into the business. The National Radio Talent System™ is made up of multiple Talent Institutes at colleges and universities throughout the United States. Each institute brings in industry professionals from around the country as Guest Speakers who bring their real-world knowledge to this intensive 6-day summer program. The GAB Radio Talent Institute™ at Grady College is the campus-to-career connection most students need to begin their broadcast career, each not only learning from the dozens of pros but are able to network with them individually. This proves invaluable, as most will otherwise never have such an opportunity to meet and speak with these professionals. Likewise, these pros already have an introduction to these students who are available for open positions. Upon completion of the institute, students will further their networking opportunities with access the National Radio Talent System’s Career Center. This is where those in the industry are able to discover and hire NRTS graduates, who very likely, will be tomorrow’s industry leaders. Learn more and apply.

L.A. Alumni Event

Save the date for our Grady College alumni event in Los Angeles. Details will be announced closer to the date.