UBC Journalism Professor Alfred Hermida has been named a Fellow by the International Communication Association (ICA) in recognition of his distinguished scholarly contributions to the field of communication.
Photo: Rachel Nixon
The ICA, a leading global organization for communication scholars, inducted 27 new fellows at the association’s annual conference on June 22nd on the Gold Coast in Australia.
Hermida joins an esteemed group of academics who have been honoured for their outstanding research, teaching, and service in the communication discipline.
They include Pablo Boczkowski of Northwestern University, Michael Schudson of Columbia University and Barbie Zelizer of the University of Pennsylvania.
“It is an honour to be recognized by the ICA and humbling to be in the company of so many scholars who have shaped my academic journey,” Hermida said upon receiving the fellowship.
“I am full of gratitude for generosity and encouragement of my colleagues and collaborators at the University of British Columbia and at universities globally, who have unreservedly shared their intellectual guidance and advice.”
Focus on the transformation of news
Selection as an ICA fellow is based on distinguished scholarly contributions and their impact on the field of communication.
Photo: Rachel Nixon
With more than 25 years’ experience in digital journalism, Hermida’s research addresses the transformation of news, media innovation, social media and AI in journalism.
His work has been widely published in academic journals, and he has received numerous awards for his contributions to journalism education and research.
His books include Data Journalism and the Regeneration of News (Routledge, 2019), co-authored with UBC Professor Mary Lynn Young, and Tell Everyone: Why We Share and Why It Matters (DoubleDay, 2014), winner of the 2015 National Business Book Award.
“He is a distinguished scholar, a brilliant teacher and a gifted administrator”
In 2017, Hermida and Young founded and launched The Conversation Canada, bringing academics and experienced journalists together to share timely analysis and commentary drawing from research, evidence, and insights.
Hermida’s current focus is the Global Journalism Innovation Lab, a six-year SSHRC-funded project investigating how the future of journalism is being shaped by innovation practices, business models, and policy frameworks.
‘Triple threat’
In the UBC Master of Journalism program, he teaches courses in media innovation, visual journalism, and research methods.
He was director of the UBC Graduate School of Journalism from June 2015 to December 2020. During this time, the school received consecutive years of record research funding, including two $2.5m SSHRC Partnership Grants in 2018 and 2019,
Kamal Al-Solaylee, director of UBC’s School of Journalism, Writing, and Media, commented: “Back when I was a theatre critic, we used to call someone who can sing, dance and act a triple threat. I think the same principle applies to the academy and the work of Professor Hermida.
“He is a distinguished scholar, a brilliant teacher and a gifted administrator. The ICA Fellowship is a richly deserved recognition of his innovative scholarship. Applause is in order – to keep the theatre analogy going.”
Before joining UBC in 2006, Hermida was a BBC TV, radio and online journalist for 16 years and was a founding news editor of the BBC News website in 1997.
