Publications & Work
Forthcoming
Rebuilding Local Journalism at Scale: A Field-Level Analysis of Infrastructure Needs
A comprehensive analysis of national funding data and proposal submissions identifying the structural barriers, shared infrastructure gaps, and high-leverage investment opportunities shaping the future of local investigative and accountability journalism.
Reports & White Papers
The National Trust for Local News
A foundational concept paper proposing a nonprofit stewardship model to preserve and strengthen local newspapers. The paper outlines governance, financing, and operational structures designed to maintain journalistic independence while ensuring long-term sustainability. Served as the blueprint for launching the National Trust for Local News, later scaled into a $50 million nonprofit newspaper company.
Read Paper →New Approaches to Platform Data Research
An applied policy study examining barriers to social platform data access for independent researchers. The report outlines technical, legal, and ethical constraints and offers recommendations to improve transparency and research access. Commissioned to inform policy discussions on platform governance and accountability.
Read Report →Developing Journalism Collaborations for Local Impact
A comparative study of seven solutions journalism collaboratives examining their effects on newsroom sustainability, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Based on qualitative field research and interviews, the report identifies effective collaboration models and governance practices.
Read Study →Mapping the Public Media Landscape
A national study of public media organizations analyzing scale, business models, governance structures, and newsroom capacity. Drawing on interviews and archival data, the report provides a field-wide snapshot of public media's role in local journalism. Produced for the Tow Center's Business Models series.
Read Report →Expanding the Local Public Media Ecosystem: A Study of Public Media Newsroom Mergers
A comparative analysis of ten public media newsroom mergers examining financial, cultural, operational, and governance dynamics. Based on extensive field research, the study identifies best practices and risks in expanding public service journalism through acquisition.
Download PDF →Friend and Foe: The Platform Press at the Heart of Journalism
A landmark report analyzing the evolving relationship between journalism organizations and digital platforms. Examines power, dependency, distribution, and revenue dynamics shaping the contemporary news ecosystem. Widely cited in discussions of platform governance and media policy.
Read Report →Business Models for Local News: A Field Scan
A collaborative conference and white paper examining emerging business models for local journalism. Convened practitioners, funders, and researchers to assess revenue strategies, organizational structures, and sustainability challenges to inform field-wide strategy and investment.
Read Paper →Case Studies
Minneapolis Star Tribune
HBS case study examining the strategic transformation and long-term sustainability of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Analyzes leadership decisions, governance, revenue strategy, and organizational change in a major metropolitan newsroom. Developed for executive and MBA-level teaching in journalism, media, and organizational leadership.
View Case Study →Research Guides
Guide to Membership in News
A widely used, research-based guide for news organizations developing membership and audience-supported revenue strategies. Synthesizes qualitative research, case studies, and practitioner insights to support sustainable reader relationships. Used extensively by nonprofit and commercial newsrooms.
View Guide →Guide to Audience Revenue and Engagement
A widely used practical guide for news organizations developing audience-supported revenue models. Synthesizes research and case studies on membership, engagement, and reader trust to support newsroom experimentation and sustainability.
View Guide →Research Projects
The Single Subject News Project
An 18-month research and action project with eleven nonprofit, single-subject newsrooms exploring digital engagement, revenue models, and organizational strategy. Combined research, peer learning, and field experimentation to support sustainability in mission-driven journalism organizations.
View Project →Dissertation
Organizational Responses to the Digital Transformation of American Public Broadcasting
Ethnographic dissertation research examining how public media organizations adapt to digital transformation and institutional change. Based on 19 months of fieldwork across multiple sites, the study analyzes leadership, culture, and organizational strategy in public media organizations navigating digital change.
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