Happy 2013. Let's Mix Journalism and Academia

Since I belong to both journalistic and academic camp (along with being full-time media analyst), I often face misunderstanding of what I do and what is my 'real' calling. As if these things were impossible to combine; provided you had spent sufficient number of years in education and work.

Thus I'm glad to have found the text which tackles this issue: Can journalism count as an academic research output?

Journalism can and should count as an academic research output but it depends on what kind of journalism and what kind of research*. Journalism by its nature is provisional, topical and functional.  Academic research is supposed to be considered, comprehensive as well as both revised and reviewed. Yet, as part of academic research, journalism has various values.  Observation, investigation and deliberation are core functions of journalism that can fit into academic research paradigms. They can add dynamism to the often preconceived and over structured thought processes that the Academy encourages.

More thoughts on this topic on the web site of The London School of Economics and Political Science.

I hope we open our minds to some creative, fresh and brand new ideas in 2013.

Happy New Year!