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Benjamin Toff

Senior Research Fellow at Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism and Assistant Professor at University of Minnesota

Benjamin Toff is a prominent scholar in the field of journalism and political communication. He currently serves as an Associate Professor at the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota, where he also directs the Minnesota Journalism Center. His academic focus includes public opinion, political communication, digital media, and evolving journalistic practices.135

Education and Career Background

Toff earned his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2016, following a Bachelor's degree in Social Studies from Harvard University in 2005. Before entering academia, he worked as a researcher for The New York Times from 2005 to 2011.125

He was a Senior Research Fellow at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford from July 2020 to August 2023, where he led the Trust in News Project, a multi-country study examining factors influencing trust and distrust in news media across Brazil, India, the UK, and the US.135 He had previously been a postdoctoral research fellow at the same institute from 2016 to 2017.25

Research Interests

Toff's research primarily investigates:

  • News Avoidance: He is recognized as an expert on why certain audiences choose to avoid news altogether.
  • Public Opinion Surveys: He explores how these surveys influence news coverage, particularly in American politics.
  • Trust in News Media: His work assesses how trust varies among different demographics and its implications for journalism.135

He has published extensively in academic journals such as Journalism Studies, Political Communication, and Public Opinion Quarterly, and is currently working on several book manuscripts related to his research interests.16

Contributions and Recognition

Toff's contributions to journalism studies are significant. He has received various accolades for his scholarly work, including awards for his doctoral dissertation and best articles in political communication.45 His ongoing projects aim to bridge the gap between academic research and practical journalism, particularly concerning audience engagement and trust dynamics within media.45

In summary, Benjamin Toff is a leading figure in journalism research, focusing on critical issues that affect media consumption and public engagement with news.

Highlights

Jan 19 · The New York Times
Opinion | Trump Just Keeps Doing Appalling Things, and the Ranks of the Disengaged Are Growing - The New York Times
Opinion | Trump Just Keeps Doing Appalling Things, and the Ranks of the Disengaged Are Growing - The
Reuters Institute Digital News Report
‪Benjamin Toff‬ - ‪Google Scholar‬
Mar 23 · podcasts.apple.com
Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism - Apple Podcasts
The consequences of 'horse race' reporting: What the research says - Journalist's Resource
Dec 15 · isoj.org
Benjamin Toff - International Symposium on Online Journalism
Dec 11 · en.wikipedia.org
Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism - Wikipedia
Feb 1 · hsjmc.umn.edu
Our Director | Hubbard School of Journalism - University of Minnesota
Our Director | Hubbard School of Journalism - University of Minnesota

Related Questions

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Benjamin Toff
Benjamin Toff, photo 1
Benjamin Toff, photo 2
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Location

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States