Damian Radcliffe


Damian Radcliffe is the Carolyn S. Chambers Professor in Journalism, and an affiliate of the department for Middle East and North African Studies, at the University of Oregon. He is also a Fellow of the Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia University, an Honorary Research Fellow at Cardiff School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies (JOMEC) at Cardiff University (the UK’s oldest journalism school) and a Fellow of The Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA).

DJRG fellowship accepted, rescheduled because of Covid-19, dates T.B.D.

Damian is a globally recognized expert on digital trends, social media, technology, the business of media, the evolution of present-day journalistic practice and the role played by media and technology in the Middle East. Damian’s journalistic, research and teaching interests build on his previous and on-going professional practice; which include editorial, policy and strategic roles all media sectors: Industry (commercial, public, non-profit/civil society), Government, Regulatory and Academic – and all media platforms (digital / online, TV, radio and print).

His experience includes four years working in UK commercial radio, eight years working for – and with – the BBC, four years at the UK Communications Regulator, Ofcom; and three years at Qatar’s Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (ictQATAR).

He joined the University of Oregon as a Carolyn S. Chambers Professor in Journalism (Chambers Chair) and a Professor of Practice, at the University of Oregon in September 2015. Damian teaches classes in advanced reporting, audio storytelling and podcasting, the business of journalism and how to use social media as a journalist.

He continues to be an active journalist, writing monthly columns for ZDNet (CBS Interactive) and What’s New in Publishing, and frequently contributing to other outlets such as journalism.co.uk and IJNet (International Journalists Network). His industry focus informs his teaching and research, enabling him to talk about the latest trends and how this is redefining journalism jobs, content innovation and consumption habits.

Title and abstract

The 20 megatrends which will shape Digital Journalism in the 2020s

My talk will explore issues of considerable interest to the academy and industry around the world. This includes: the power and evolution of platforms, subscription and revenue models, the role of AI, analytics and emerging digital tools, content and format innovation, changing consumption habits, trust and engagement, as well as the impact on journalism practice – and business models – of rapid changes in technology, markets and media usage. 

My approach will be purposefully broad, thematic and global in scope, and it will deliberately touch on a wide range of topics and issues, in a bid to stimulate questions and discussion from the widest possible audience. This technique is one that I have used in the past for presentations to industry and academic audiences alike. It is designed to see which issues pique the curiosity of the audience, so that these can be explored through Q&A and further conversation.

By looking at the digital landscape through a wide lens, I intend to introduce attendees to a wide range of case studies, with the goal that everyone – whatever their level of expertise and areas of specialization – will learn something new, and applicable, to their interests. In doing this, I will explore the implications of these developments for journalistic practice, research and education, recognizing that there are often synergies between these domains.

I am well placed to tell this story, having worked in digital journalism before this label was even being used! My experience – derived from working across all platforms and all sectors, on three continents – includes roles at BBC Digital Radio, Digital TV and Online between 1999-2003, as well as roles at two media and telecoms regulators, and a proven research and journalistic track record focused on what digital means to journalism as a profession and practice. Moreover, most of my journalism – including written and audio work – has always been primarily for digital outlets.

Topics that I have recently written about include: media revenue models, eCommerce , robo-journalism, social media influencers in the Middle East, the podcasting market, rebuilding trust in journalism, 5G in the Middle East, blockchain, digital newsstands, the evolution of voice, millennials media habits, social media in China + strategies for local newsrooms. In short, I am a digital journalist who writes and researches digital trends. You don’t get more meta than that.

Selected publications