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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

Aug 7 · linkedin

📢 Please help spread the word about this fantastic opportunity to join the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication - University of Minnesota and work alongside our amazing students, staff, and faculty (plus me).

We are searching for a new tenure-track Assistant Professor in Journalism to join the school next fall whose teaching and research focuses on emerging areas of data science including artificial intelligence. We are looking for someone whose work combines quantitative social science approaches with applied research in the practice of journalism.

Feel free to reach out with questions either virtually or in person if you’re in Philly this week for AEJMC, in the Twin Cities later this month for SRCCON, or in Atlanta next month for ONA. We have a world-class community of journalism studies folks already at the university—not to mention the impressive professional communities in Minnesota we’re also enmeshed in—and I’m excited to recruit another colleague to join our ranks.

More info about applying here:

Apr 8 · linkedin

Please help spread the word! We are looking to hire a research postdoc at the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication - University of Minnesota with a focus on measuring the impact and effectiveness of newsroom strategies around engaging with news avoiders and others who lack trust in journalism. Strong research methods training is helpful but qualitative, quantitative, and/or computational backgrounds will be considered. Feel free to reach out with questions! Details below...

Job Posting: Postdoctoral Research Associate in Journalism

About the Role:

  • Participate in the design, implementation, and analysis related to two research projects: one studying the effectiveness of local news interventions designed to mitigate and reverse distrust and news avoidance among segments of the public and the second an ongoing study examining changes in the supply of information providers statewide in Minnesota. 
  • Project management around data collection and engagement with local news organization partners.
  • Working with colleagues on publishing research results for multiple outputs, including peer reviewed journals, white papers, or other public-facing communications that translate findings for a diverse range of audiences and stakeholders.
  • This appointment may be renewable for an additional year, conditional on satisfactory performance and funding availability. 
  • Additional pay associated with training or teaching assignments may be available depending on student enrollment, funding, school needs and teaching performance.

What you'll need: Earned a Ph.D. in Mass Communication, Journalism, or a related field (e.g., Political Science, Sociology) by the appointment start-date (08/30/2024). Expertise in journalism and evidence of excellence in conducting peer-reviewed research in higher education settings.

See here for more information about how to apply: https://lnkd.in/g5hSMgCr

Priority consideration will be given to applicants who apply by April 22, 2024.

Related Questions

What is the Trust in News Project about?
How does Benjamin Toff's work at the Reuters Institute impact journalism practices?
What are the main findings of Benjamin Toff's research on news avoidance?
How does Benjamin Toff's background as a journalist influence his research?
What are the key themes in Benjamin Toff's book manuscripts?
Benjamin Toff
Benjamin Toff, photo 1
Benjamin Toff, photo 2
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Location

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States