Professor Alfred Hermida, a pioneering scholar in digital journalism at the School of Journalism, Writing, and Media, has been awarded a 2024 UBC Killam Research Prize in recognition of his outstanding research contributions to the field of journalism.
The Killam Research Prize, established in 1986 through the Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Fund, is awarded annually to ten exceptional researchers at the University of British Columbia who exemplify excellence and innovation.
The award recognizes Professor Hermida’s transformative work in understanding how digital technologies and social media have reshaped journalism and public communication in the 21st century.
“Dr. Hermida continues to set the standard for research excellence in Journalism Studies, something that we in the field have known for years. It’s particularly gratifying to know that colleagues from other disciplines at UBC have reached a similar conclusion by awarding him this prestigious prize,” said director and professor Kamal Al-Solaylee.
“Dr. Hermida’s work continues to evolve – his leadership on AI and media is one recent example – and his research is certain to shape future directions in one of the most challenging (and promising) technological advances to affect journalism this century.”
Bridging research and practice
The Killam Research Prize adds to Hermida’s numerous accolades. Last month, he was received the 2025 UBC Dean of Arts Mentorship award.
“The Killam award is particularly meaningful as it recognizes research that bridges academic scholarship with professional practice.”
In 2024, he was named a Fellow of the International Communication Association, joining a distinguished group of academics honored for their outstanding contributions to communication research and education.
“The Killam award is particularly meaningful as it recognizes research that bridges academic scholarship with professional practice,” said Hermida.
“This award is not just a personal honour—it reflects the collaborative efforts of colleagues, students, and the broader journalism community who continually inspire and challenge me.”
“Thank you to the University of British Columbia and the Killam Trust for this wonderful recognition.”
Ground-breaking research
Currently, Hermida co-leads the Global Journalism Innovation Lab, a six-year, $2.4-million research project funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). The Lab investigates how innovation practices, business models, and policy frameworks are shaping the future of journalism.
Hermida, who joined UBC in 2006 after a distinguished 16-year career as a reporter, producer and editor at the BBC, is among the most cited scholars in media and journalism, ranking in the top 2% globally of all researchers worldwide.
His groundbreaking concept of ‘ambient journalism’ has become one of the most influential frameworks for understanding how news spreads on social media platforms, with his 2010 paper on the topic becoming the most-cited article in the journal Journalism Practice, garnering over 1,100 citations.
His research has appeared in leading academic journals including Digital Journalism, Journalism Studies, Social Media + Society, and Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly. Several of his articles rank among the most cited in their respective journals, demonstrating the significant impact of his work on the field
His scholarly contributions include three single-authored and co-authored books: Participatory Journalism (2011), which became the most-cited book in Digital Journalism; Tell Everyone: Why We Share and Why It Matters (2014), which won the National Business Book Award; and Data Journalism and the Regeneration of News (2019). He also co-edited the prestigious Sage Handbook of Digital Journalism.
Beyond his scholarly work, Hermida has made significant contributions to journalism practice in Canada. He co-founded The Conversation Canada in 2017 to establish this important platform for academic knowledge mobilization.
