Journalism expert made a Fellow of the British Academy

A Cardiff University academic whose research explores the relationship between citizenship, media and emotion has been made a Fellow of the British Academy.

Professor Karin Wahl-Jorgensen’s work has helped to define the field of journalism studies over the past three decades, with a focus on how rapid technological changes have affected news production practices.

Her latest research project focuses on "boutique media" - small-scale, personality-driven media enterprises, including news influencers, podcasters, newsletter writers and local news entrepreneurs, investigating how boutique media establishes epistemic and affective authority.

Some of her other recent projects include the British Academy project, “The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on community journalism start-ups in the UK” and “Evaluating the challenge of ‘fake news’ and other malinformation”, an Australian Research Council Discovery Grant.

Between 2021 and 2026, she was the University’s Dean of Research Environment and Culture, leading institutional initiatives to enhance research culture both within the institution and with government, funders and relevant sector organisations. She is currently President-Elect of the International Communication Association.

Reacting to the news of her election to the British Academy, Professor Wahl-Jorgensen said: “It’s a privilege to join this very distinguished community of scholars who have dedicated their careers to advancing knowledge in the humanities and social sciences. It’s also a wider recognition of the prominent role of Cardiff University nationally and internationally, and I’m grateful for the support I’ve received here throughout my 25 plus years in the School of Journalism, Media and Culture.”

Founded in 1902, the British Academy is the UK’s national academy for the humanities and social sciences. It is a Fellowship consisting of over 1800 of the leading minds in these subjects from the UK and overseas. Current Fellows include the classicist Professor Dame Mary Beard, the historian and China expert Professor Rana Mitter and philosopher Professor Baroness Onora O’Neill, while previous Fellows include Dame Frances Yates, Sir Winston Churchill, Seamus Heaney and Beatrice Webb. The Academy is also a funder of both national and international research, as well as a forum for debate and public engagement.

In 2026, a total of 58 UK Fellows, 32 International Fellows and 2 Honorary Fellows have been elected to the British Academy Fellowship. View the full list here.