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

Four young people are gathered in a room with wooden walls. One is standing, adjusting a camera on a tripod, while the other three sit at a table, smiling and watching her. There is a TV mounted on the wall behind them.

Entertainment and Media Studies Summer Academy

Are you interested in careers in the film, television, radio, online, mobile and other new media industries? In this course designed for high school students, participants will be introduced to the exciting entertainment field and what it encompasses.

They will gain valuable skills for conceiving what stories are worth telling while also gaining an understanding of the implications of visual storytelling in society. They will learn the basics of content production, from screenwriting to digital editing. Over the course of the week, they will work on a project to showcase in their portfolios.

For more details, visit https://www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/youth-program/entertainment-and-media-studies-6-8-2026/

A group of students sit in a lounge area with laptops, listening to a woman speaking near a TV screen. The wall behind them displays the words The Red & Black, highlighting an engaging session at the Summer Media Academy.

Multimedia Journalism Summer Academy

Do you feel passionate about telling true stories that make the news? Acquire critical tools to become a multi-skilled journalist in this ever-changing digital landscape through this course designed for high school students.

Practice the art of interviewing, multimedia reporting, writing, editing, and producing alongside a professional journalist.

Explore visual journalism and social media storytelling, and work with your instructor to produce a news website.

For more details, visit https://www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/youth-program/multimedia-journalism-6-8-2026/

A group of students work in a media studio, with some operating computers and video equipment while two people stand in front of a green screen. One student raises their hand, and screens display video editing software.

Broadcast Journalism Summer Academy

In this Summer Media Academy course designed for high school students, participants will learn to find and tell stories that matter with a focus on developing storytelling skills in audio and visual forms. They’ll consider what makes a story important, how to gather credible information, and how to present it in the most effective way.

Participants will practice and hone technical skills in reporting, videography and video editing as the class works together with the instructors to final project.

For more details, visit https://www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/youth-program/broadcast-journalism-6-15-2026/

A group of 16 smiling teens and adults pose indoors in front of a colorful screen that reads STEPS OF JOY SUMMER. Most wear matching light blue shirts and name tags.

Advertising and Public Relations Summer Academy

Learn how to become a creative problem solver, writer, decision-maker, and persuasive communicator within traditional and new media in this exciting Advertising and Public Relations course designed for high school students.

Explore ways to reach target audiences and effectively communicate your messages to the public, and even design an integrated campaign for a non-profit organization.

For more details, visit https://www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/youth-program/advertising-and-public-relations-6-15-2026/