Here you can find selected academic research supported by RJI that offers actionable insights and advice for news and other organizations. In collaboration with partners at the Missouri School of Journalism and around the world, this work is designed to address the issues and questions that are raised as new technologies arrive on the scene, new strategic opportunities appear and stubborn challenges are dissected.

Health Journalists — Who They Are and How They View Their Profession: 2023 Survey

This is a survey of 629 U.S. health journalists across different regions and platforms to update our understanding of their preparation and professional practices in an era of mistrust and misinformation.

The last large-scale academic survey of health journalists was in 2007, before the spread of social media health misinformation and the closure of more than 1000 local newspapers. Since then, social media have become central to the routines of journalists and audiences, newsroom staffs have continued to decline, and partisan distrust has grown in public health measures, medical evidence, and journalists themselves.

Health journalists are increasingly operating in a cluttered environment where health information spreads rapidly, but verified and credible health information is often crowded out or overlooked and misinformation is pushed for partisan interests or profit. | Posted July 24, 2024

The Burnout Crisis in Journalism: Solutions for Today’s Newsroom

RJI partnered with research firm SmithGeiger in the Fall of 2023 to conduct a survey to find solutions to burnout in the news industry. An estimated 70% of journalists have experienced work-related burnout, with experts saying younger journalists are at higher risk. At a time when new technology, changing revenue models and a crisis of public trust are contributing to a rapid pace of change in journalism, RJI and SmithGeiger seeked to gain on-the-ground insights from journalists about the issues that lead some to exit the profession while others thrive. This report provides possible solutions that can be implemented locally within newsrooms to help ease the impact of burnout and move journalism in a more positive direction. | Posted Feb. 29, 2024

Mississippi River Basin: Environmental perspective and identity

As climate change and other environmental issues continue to impact the U.S., it is important to understand public attitudes and knowledge. This report focuses on those in the areas surrounding the Mississippi River, drawing from a survey of more than 2,300 people across the 10 mainstem states adjacent to the river. Click below to read the report, or read a press release about the research here. | Posted Oct. 19, 2023