Photo by Ritwik Bhattacharjee
UBC Journalism’s Professor Alfred Hermida has been named a finalist in the Business and Innovation category of the British Council Study UK Alumni Awards 2026.
The award recognizes alumni who have demonstrated leadership in developing innovative ideas, solutions, or business opportunities with significant social, cultural, or economic impact.
Hermida was one of seven global finalists selected from regions around the world for the 2026 Business and Innovation Award. The program celebrates the achievements of UK university alumni around the world.
The 2026 Business and Innovation Award was awarded to Dr Marianna Prokopi-Demetriades, a biotech entrepreneur and oncology innovator from Cyprus.
A Full Professor at UBC’s School of Journalism, Writing, and Media, and co-founder of The Conversation Canada, Hermida is internationally recognized for his work on digital journalism, media innovation, and the changing nature of news in the networked age.
“My UK education gave me a habit of mind grounded in curiosity, critical thinking, and a constant desire to understand what lies behind the surface.”
He teaches graduate courses in visual journalism, media innovation, and artificial intelligence in journalism, helping prepare the next generation of journalists to navigate a rapidly evolving media landscape.
Reflecting on the influence of his UK education, Hermida said: “My UK education gave me a habit of mind grounded in curiosity, critical thinking, and a constant desire to understand what lies behind the surface.”
From the BBC to UBC
Hermida’s career spans academia, journalism, and public service. Before joining UBC, he worked at the BBC, where he helped launch BBC News Online, one of the world’s pioneering digital news services.
His research has shaped understanding of how information circulates through social media and digital networks, including his influential concept of “ambient journalism,” which examines how news emerges and spreads across interconnected online communities.
His connection to City St George’s, University of London, has been central to both his professional and academic development. Hermida completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism at City before embarking on a career in journalism. He later returned to the university to pursue doctoral studies, earning a PhD in Journalism in 2015.
The recognition reflects Hermida’s standing as a leading scholar in journalism and communication.
The Study UK Alumni Awards celebrate the achievements of international graduates of UK universities and the impact they make in their professions and communities around the world.
