Knight Chairs in Journalism

Knight Foundation has established two dozen endowed chairs in journalism at top universities nationwide. The chairs are leading journalists who take positions as tenured professors within academia. They practice journalism, teach innovative classes, and create experimental projects and new programs that help lead journalism excellence in the digital age.

Knight Chair in Computer- Assisted Journalism (Arizona State University)

Steve Doig teaches and develops computer assisted-reporting, using digital applications to increase the fact-finding power of journalism.

Knight Chair in Business Journalism (Columbia University)

Sylvia Nasar brings her best-selling business journalism to students; currently, by working with them to produce a book on the nation’s financial crisis.

Knight Chair in Computational Journalism (Duke University)

Sarah Cohen is developing the growing field of computational journalism.

Knight Chair for Journalism Student Enhancement (Florida A&M University)

Joe Ritchie specializes in the launching and development of new journalism careers.

Knight Chair in Scholastic Journalism (Kent State University)

Mark Goodman and his Center for Scholastic Journalism serve as a national clearinghouse for effective ways to teach journalism.

Knight Chair in Environmental Journalism (Michigan State University)

Jim Detjen and the Center for Environmental Journalism are producing award-winning journalism and helping remake the teaching of environmental reporting.

Knight Chair in Digital Media Strategy (Northwestern University)

Owen Youngman is looking at the future of news from a technological perspective.

Knight Chair in Sports Journalism and Society (Pennsylvania State University)

Malcom Moran and the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism focus on the social role of sports journalism, present and future.

Knight Chair in Political Reporting (Syracuse University)

Charlotte Grimes focuses on political reporting by and for a new generation of American citizens.

Knight Chair in Science and Technology Reporting (University of California Berkeley)

Michael Pollan’s popular books and lectures have made him a national leader in journalism on the science and policy of food.

Knight Chair in Journalism Technologies and the Democratic Process (University of Florida)

Through her well-trafficked website, Melinda McAdams reaches out to teach journalists, students and educators interested in a multimedia future.

Knight Chair in Health and Medical Journalism (University of Georgia)

Patricia Thomas is creating a new master’s degree in health and medical journalism and looking at ways to bring critical health news to impoverished regions in America’s south.

Knight Chair in Investigative and Enterprise Reporting (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)

Brant Houston leads efforts nationally and internationally to find new forms and models for investigative and enterprise reporting.

Knight Chair on the Press, Leadership and Community (University of Kansas)

Pam Fine is exploring the 21st century versions of the daily newspaper’s role in informing and engaging communities.

Knight Chair in Public Affairs Journalism (University of Maryland)

Haynes Johnson's groundbreaking investigation of the historic 2008 presidential election hopes to redefine both national journalism and how we teach it.

Knight Chair in Visual Journalism (University of Miami)

Rich Beckman is building an international group of universities dedicated to teaching multimedia journalism using actual content projects.

Knight Chair in Cross-Cultural Communication (University of Miami)

Joseph Treaster is experimenting with new ways for news and information to cross borders, to helping the world to solve its most crucial problems.

Knight Chair in Editing (University of Missouri at Columbia)

Jacqui Banaszynski is a leader in teaching "front-line" editing, including though News University's e-learning systems.

Lee Hills Chair in Free-Press Studies (University of Missouri at Columbia)

Stuart Loory’s Global Journalist Magazine looks at freedom expression issues worldwide.

Knight Chair in Journalism and Digital Media Economics (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

Penny Muse Abernathy is exploring the changing media economic landscape in the digital age behind the “creative destruction” of traditional media forms.

Knight Chair in Media and Religion (University of Southern California)

Diane Winston and the Center for Religion in the Media are prolific commentators on the impact of coverage (or lack of coverage) of religion.

Knight Chair in International Journalism (University of Texas at Austin)

Rosental Alves and his Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas are helping establish self-sustaining, professional journalism groups and pioneering e-learning throughout the Americas.

Knight Chair in Journalism Ethics (Washington & Lee University)

Ed Wasserman’s teachings and writings explore the ever-increasing impact of ethics in and on journalism.

Knight Professorship in Constitutional Law and First Amendment (Yale University)

Jack Balkin’s blogs and widely read opinion pieces explore the frontiers of First Amendment law.