Dr Neil Thurman: Online Journalism Research | Web Publishing Practice

Senior lecturer in Electronic Publishing, Programme Director, Erasmus Mundus Journalism Masters

Dr Thurman has published widely on online journalism. His work appears in: Journalism: Theory, Practice & Criticism; New Media & Society; Journalism Practice; Convergence; and Journalism Studies. See Neil Thurman's latest publications.

He gave a keynote speech at the 1st International Reporters' Forum in Seoul, South Korea as a guest of Ohmynews.com; and is a regular contributor to the International Symposium on Online Journalism in Austin, Texas, where he was awarded 'top-rated paper' in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Dr Thurman was appointed as City's first lecturer in Electronic Publishing in 1997 and directed their successful Masters in Electronic Publishing until 2004. He continues to teach on that programme as well as leading a new Erasmus Mundus Masters in Journalism and Media within Globalisation.

From 2004-5 he held the position of visiting scholar at the School of Information Management and Systems at the University of California, Berkeley.

Dr Thurman began his career in interactive publishing with Interactive Learning Productions where he published a number of award-winning interactive multimedia CD-Roms. At Yorkshire International Thomson Multimedia and Granada Learning he continued his electronic publishing career working with clients including: The British Library, The Science and Natural History Museums, Whitbread plc, The Home Office, The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food and Getty Images. More recently he has consulted for clients including PHD.

Journal articles

• Thurman, N. Newspaper consumption in the digital age: Measuring multi-channel audience attention and brand popularity. Digital Journalism [accepted for publication, volume and pagination unknown].
  
• Thurman, N and Walters, A (2013) Live blogging - digital journalism's pivotal platform? A case study of the production, consumption, and form of Live Blogs at Guardian.co.uk. Digital Journalism 1(1). Pre-press version [free to download].
• Thurman, N., Pascal, J.C., and Bradshaw, P. (2012) Can Big Media do 'Big Society?': A critical case study of commercial, convergent hyperlocal news. International Journal of Media & Cultural Politics 8(2-3). Pre-press version [free to download].
• Thurman, N. and Schifferes, S. (2012) The future of personalisation at news websites: lessons from a longitudinal study. Journalism Studies 13(5) [subscription required]. Pre-press version [free to download].
• Thurman, N. (2011) Making 'The Daily Me': Technology, economics and habit in the mainstream assimilation of personalized news. Journalism: Theory, Practice & Criticism 12(4) [subscription required]. Pre-press version [free to download].
• Thurman, N. and Myllylahti, M. (2009) Taking the Paper out of News. A case study of Taloussanomat, Europe's first online-only newspaper. Journalism Studies (10)5 [subscription required]. Pre-press version [free to download].
• Thurman, N. and Lupton, B. (2008) Convergence Calls: Multimedia Storytelling At British News Websites. Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies. 14(4) [subscription required]. Pre-press version [free to download].
• Thurman, N. and Hermida, A. (2008) A clash of cultures: The integration of user-generated content within professional journalistic frameworks at British newspaper websites. Journalism Practice 2(3) [subscription required]. Pre-press version [free to download].
• Thurman, N (2008). Forums for citizen journalists? Adoption of user generated content initiatives by online news media. New Media & Society 10(1) [subscription required]. Pre-press version [free to download].
• Thurman, N. and Herbert, J. (2007) Paid content strategies for news websites: An empirical study of British newspapers' online business models. Journalism Practice 1(2) [subscription required]. Pre-press version [free to download]. 
• Thurman, N. (2007). The globalisation of journalism online: A transatlantic study of news websites and their international readers. Journalism: Theory, Practice & Criticism 8(3) [subscription required]. Pre-press version [free to download].

Edited book and report chapters

• Thurman, N (2013) "From Stories to Streams: How Live Blogs are Reconfiguring Breaking News" in Davy Levy and Nic Newman (Eds.) Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2013. Oxford: Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism.
  
• Thurman, N. (2014) Media Interactivity in the Digital Age [working title] in Stephen Coleman and Deen Freelon (Eds.) A Handbook of Digital Politics. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar
• Thurman, N. and Hewett, J. (2014) "Live blogging and tweeting: An ethical perspective for journalists" [working title] in David Craig and Lawrie Zion (eds.) Ethics for Digital Journalists: Emerging Best Practices [working title]. Routledge.
• Thurman, N. and Rodgers, J. (2013/4) "Citizen Journalism in Real Time? Live Blogging and Crisis Events [working title]" in Stuart Allan and Einar Thorsen (eds.) Citizen Journalism: Global Perspectives. Vol 2. New York: Peter Lang.
• Thurman, N. and Schifferes, S. (2013) "The Future of Personalisation at News Websites: Lessons from a longitudinal study" in Bob Franklin (Ed) The Future of Journalism: Developments and Debates. London: Routledge.
• Thurman, N., and Schifferes, S. (2012). 'The Paradox of Personalization: The Social and Reflexive Turn of Adaptive News' in Eugenia Siapera and Andreas Veglis (Eds) The Handbook of Global Online Journalism. Wiley-Blackwell.
• Thurman, N. and Hermida, A. (2010). "Gotcha: How newsroom norms are shaping participatory journalism online" in Sean Tunney and Garrett Monaghan (Eds) Web Journalism: A New Form of Citizenship. Eastbourne: Sussex Academic Press. Pre-press version [free to download]
• Hermida, A. and Thurman, N. (2009). "A Clash of Cultures: The Integration of User-generated Content within Professional Journalistic Frameworks at British Newspaper Websites" in Bob Franklin (Ed) The Future of Newspapers. Routledge. 
• Thurman, N. (2005).'From blogrolls and wikis to big business: Going online', in Richard Keeble (Ed) Print journalism: a critical introduction. London, Routledge.  
• Thurman, N. (2005). 'Journalism in a non-linear, screen-based environment: Practical online skills' in Richard Keeble (Ed) Print journalism: a critical introduction. London, Routledge.  
• Thurman, N. and Jones, S. (2005). 'From Nexus to newslog: Online journalism from the grassroots' in Richard Keeble (Ed) Print journalism: a critical introduction. London, Routledge.  
• Thurman, N. (2001). 'Digital content publishing', in Creative Industries Mapping Document 2001, Great Britain, Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Selected new media publications

• Richards, J., Hutchinson P., Thurman, N., & Elliott, P. (2013) Design Your Own Sleeping Bag [Website]. Stalybridge: Peter Hutchinson Designs Ltd. Available from: http://www.design-your-own-sleeping-bag.com
  
• Kremer, B. & Thurman, N. (2013) Erasmus Mundus Journalism Master's V.2 [Website]. London: City University London. Available from: http://www.mundusjournalism.com
• Billings, J., Hutchinson P., Thurman, N., Herbert, J. & Elliott, P. (2012) Design Your Own Clothing [Website]. Stalybridge: Peter Hutchinson Designs Ltd. Available from: http://design-your-own-down-jacket.phdesigns.co.uk
• Naman, L., Hutchinson P., & Thurman, N.  (2008) Gear Adviser [Website]. Stalybridge: Peter Hutchinson Designs Ltd. Available from: http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/gearadviser/
• Bardesley, L., Naman, L., Thurman, N., & Hutchinson P. (1999, 2003, 2009) PHD Mountain Software [Website]. Stalybridge: Peter Hutchinson Designs Ltd. Available from: http://www.phdesigns.co.uk
• Thurman, Neil et al (2006). How to be a dancing fairy with Nadia Sawalha. (DVD). Dog Eat Dog Media.  
• Thurman, Neil et al (1993). Environment Series 1: Water. (CD-Rom). Leeds: Yorkshire International Television 
• Thurman, Neil et al (1994). The Physical World. (CD-Rom). Walton-on-Thames: Thomas Nelson and Sons, ISBN 0-17-218032-5 
• Thurman, Neil et al (1994). The Environment Show. (Interactive video installation). London: Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 
• Thurman, Neil et al (1994). The Royal Academy of Engineering MacRobert Award exhibition. (Interactive video installation). London: Science Museum / SMD 
• Thurman, Neil et al (1995). The Marketing Mix. (CD-Rom). Walton-on-Thames: Thomas Nelson and Sons, ISBN 0-17-230001-0 
• Thurman, Neil et al (1995). How We Used to Live: Early Victorians. (CD-Rom). Leeds: Yorkshire International Thomson Multimedia, ISBN 0-17-212010-1 
• Thurman, Neil et al (1995) The Easynet Book CD-Rom tutorial. (CD-Rom). London: International Thomson Computer Press, ISBN 1-85032-252-X 
• Thurman, Neil et al (1996). How We Used to Live: Late Victorians. (CD-Rom). Leeds: Yorkshire International Thomson Multimedia, ISBN 0-17-212018-7 
• Thurman, Neil et al (1996). Science Explorer. (CD-Rom). Leeds: Yorkshire International Thomson Multimedia, ISBN 0-17-215009-4 
• Thurman, Neil et al (1997) The Court & You. (Interactive touch-screen point of information system). Bedlington: Northumberland Magistrates Courts' Committee

Refereed conference papers

• Thurman, N. and Newman, N. (2013) 'Are live blogs the future of breaking news online? A comparative survey of attitudes and consumption in the UK and US'. Paper presented at the Future of Journalism 2013 conference, Cardiff University, Cardiff, 12-13 September.
• Schifferes, S., Thurman, N., and Newman, N. (2013) 'Reading the runes: The future of social media in the newsroom'. Paper presented at the Future of Journalism 2013 conference, Cardiff University, Cardiff, 12-13 September.
• Thurman, N. (2013) 'Live Blogs and Social Media: Elicitation, Aggregation, and Distribution'. Paper presented at the IAMCR annual conference, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland, 25-29 June.
• Thurman, N. (2013) 'Newspaper consumption in the digital age: Measuring multi-channel audience attention and brand popularity'. Paper presented at the ICA annual conference, London, 17-23 June.
• Thurman, N. (2013) 'A case study of Northcliffe Media's entrepreneurial model of hyperlocal news'. Paper presented to the MeCCSA Conference 2013, 9 - 11 January, University of Ulster, Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland.
• Thurman, N., and Walters, A. (2012) 'Networked Journalism's Pivotal Platform?: Live Blogging at Guardian.co.uk, an exploratory case study'. Paper presented to the 10th World Media Economics and Management Conference, Thessaloniki, Greece, May 23-27.
• Thurman, N., Pascal, J.C., and Bradshaw, P. (2011) 'Can Big Media do 'Big Society?': A critical case study of commercial, convergent hyperlocal news'. Paper presented to the Future of Journalism Conference, Cardiff University, Wales, September 8-9.
• Thurman, N., and Schifferes, S. (2011) 'The Future of Personalisation at News Websites: Lessons from a longitudinal study' paper presented to the Future of Journalism Conference, Cardiff University, Wales, September 8-9.
• Thurman, N. (2010) "Making 'The Daily Me': Technology, economics and habit in the mainstream assimilation of personalized news". Paper presented at the IAMCR annual conference. Braga, Portugal, July 2010. 
• Thurman, N. and Myllylahti, M. (2009) 'Taking the Paper out of News. A case study of Taloussanomat, Europe's first online-only newspaper' paper presented to the 10th International Symposium on Online Journalism, University of Texas, Austin, USA, April 18. ('top rated paper'). 
• Thurman, N. & Hermida, A. (2008) "Researching the Attitudes of Online News Editors towards Participatory Journalism". Paper presented at the ICA annual conference. Montreal, Canada, May 2008. 
• Thurman, N. and Lupton, B. (2008) 'Convergence Calls: Multimedia Storytelling At British News Websites' paper presented to the 9th International Symposium on Online Journalism, University of Texas, Austin, USA, April 5th. ('top rated paper') 
• Thurman, N. and Hermida, A. (2007) 'A clash of cultures: The integration of user-generated content within a professional journalistic framework at British newspaper websites' paper presented to the Future of Newspapers Conference, Cardiff University, Wales, September 12-13. 
• Thurman, N. and Hermida, A. (2007) 'Comments please: How the British news media is struggling with user-generated content' paper presented to the 8th International Symposium on Online Journalism, University of Texas, Austin, USA, March 31 ('top rated paper'). 
• Thurman, N. and Herbert, J. (2007) 'Newspapers e-business models: A survey of attitudes and practice at UK news websites' paper presented to the 8th International Symposium on Online Journalism, University of Texas, Austin, USA, March 31. 
• Thurman, N. (2006) 'A circulation revolution? Online newspapers and their global audience', paper presented to the Internationalising Media Studies: Imperatives and Impediments conference, University of Westminster, London, 15-16 September 2006. 
• Thurman, N. (2006) 'Participatory journalism in the mainstream: Attitudes and implementation at British news websites', paper presented to the 7th International Symposium on Online Journalism, University of Texas, Austin, USA, April 8 (joint 'top rated paper').  
• Thurman, N. (2005) 'British news websites and the overseas reader', paper presented to the 6th International Symposium on Online Journalism, University of Texas, Austin, USA, April 9. 
• Thurman, N. et al. (2003) 'Reducing Info-Exclusion of Mental Health Service Users Through Online Content Using Synchronised Multimedia Integration Language', in From information to knowledge: Proceedings of the 7th ICCC/IFIP International Conference on Electronic Publishing, Sely Costa, Joao Alovaro Carvalho, Ana Alice Baptista, Ana Cristina Santos Moreira. Universidade do Minho, ELPUB 2003, Guimaraes, Portugal, June 2003, ISBN 972 98921 2 1.

Other publications

• Thurman, N. (2006) Журналістика із залученням читачів до дискусії у традиційних ЗМІ. Ставлення до новітніх інтерактивних технологій і впровадження їх на британських сайта, British Council Ukraine.

Invited talks

• Thurman, N (2012) 'Media Diversity'. Invited talk at 'Metimun 2012', London Metropolitan University, December 1.
• Thurman, N. (2012) 'Live Blogging: A Crucible of Journalistic Innovation'. Invited talk at the 'Journalism and Innovation' symposium, Institute for War and Peace Reporting, London, September 7.
• Thurman, N. and Hewett, J. (2012) 'Facing both ways: how can journalism educators address the challenges of networked, disruptive technologies in the news media as well as in teaching and learning?'. Invited talk at the 'Reflexivity in the Digital World: Rethinking journalism teaching and learning in an interactive world' conference, Interdisciplinary Centre of the Social Sciences, University of Sheffield, March 21.
• Thurman, N. (2012) 'Networked Journalism: Audiences, Authority and Adaptivity', lecture given at  University of Hamburg, Germany, January 18.
• Thurman, N. (2011) 'News Customization: Challenges and Opportunities for Institutional Journalism', lecture given at  Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, December 16.
• Thurman, N. (2011) 'The Changing Character of Customisation: Content Personalisation in the News', talk given to Google executives, London, September 7. View the slidecast on Slideshare.net.
• Thurman, N. (2007) 'Participatory "journalism": UK trends', Fifth International Online Journalism Seminar, Vilanova i la Geltru, November 19. 
• Thurman, N. (2007) 'Trends in online journalism: a British perspective', masterclass given to Chinese journalists, Beijing, August 3. 
• Thurman, N. (2006) 'Developing participatory journalism', masterclass given to Ukrainian journalists as part of the British Council's 'Citizen Journalism' project, Kiev, Ukraine, November 28. 
• Thurman, N. (2005) 'Electronic Newspapers', unpublished paper presented at the Information Access Seminar series, School of Information Management and Systems, University of California, Berkeley, October 14. 
• Thurman, N. (2005) 'Big media and citizen journalism: the British experience'. Keynote address at the first International Citizen Reporters Forum, Seoul, Korea, June 25. 
• Thurman, N. (2000) 'Reflective Practice in Publishing Education', unpublished paper presented to the International Association for Publishing Education Conference, Mainz, Germany, July.

Awards, fellowships and external activities

• 2013. Manuscript reviewer, Digital Journalism.
• 2013. Manuscript reviewer, JOMEC Journal.
• 2013. Manuscript reviewer, Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly.
• 2013. Manuscript reviewer, The Fibreculture Journal.
• 2012. Expert Grant Referee, Research Council of Norway.
• 2012. Editorial Board member Digital Journalism (Taylor & Francis).
• 2012-16. External examiner: MA International Journalism, MA Journalism and New Media, MA Multi-Media Journalism, Bournemouth University.
• 2012. External grants reviewer, The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO, the Dutch Research Council).
• 2012. External Examiner, MA Digital Journalism, Goldsmiths, University of London.
• 2012. Invited expert contributor to NESTA funded foresight study on hyperlocal media.
• 2012. External reviewer: Msc Digital Entrepreneurship, Goldsmiths College, University of London.
• 2011. Led City University London's successful bid for Erasmus Mundus action 1 funding (worth over 3 million Euros), in collaboration with our international partners.
• 2011. City University London 'Pump Priming Funding' for research project "Measuring Newspaper Consumption in the Digital Age".
• 2011. Visiting Professor at the IE University in Segovia, Spain.
• 2011-12. Visiting Scholar at the Institute for Communication and Media Research at the Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) of Munich.
• 2011. External Examiner, MA Multimedia Journalism, MA Journalism and Media Studies, and MA Journalism and Documentary Practice, University of Sussex.
• 2011. Manuscript reviewer, New Media & Society.
• 2011. Manuscript reviewer, Journalism: Theory, Practice & Criticism.
• 2011. Manuscript reviewer, Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication.
• 2011. Manuscript reviewer, Media History.
• 2011. Manuscript reviewer, The International Journal of Press/Politics.
• 2011. Manuscript reviewer, Electronic Journal of Communication. 
• 2010. Manuscript reviewer, Journalism Practice. 
• 2010. Manuscript reviewer, International Journal of Mass Emergencies and Disasters. 
• 2010. Manuscript reviewer, Journal of Information Science. 
• 2010. Manuscript reviewer, International Journal on Media Management.
• 2010. Manuscript reviewer, Polity Press. 
• 2010. Manuscript reviewer, Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies. 
• 2010. Winner 'LCACE Academics Knowledge Exchange Seed Fund Grant'. 
• 2009. Grants reviewer, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). 
• 2009. Manuscript reviewer, The Information Society (a Taylor and Francis journal). 
• 2009. Grants reviewer, ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council). 
• 2009. 'Top rated paper' award from 10th International Symposium on Online Journalism.
• 2009. Autumn term. Visiting Scholar, Graduate School of Journalism, University of California, Berkeley (funded by an Erasmus Mundus Action 3 Scholarship). 
• 2009. External Examiner, BA (Hons) Multimedia Journalism, University of Teesside.
• 2009. Manuscript Reviewer, Asian Journal of Communication.
• 2008. Led City University London's successful bid for Erasmus Mundus action 3 funding (worth €156,000), in collaboration with our international partners. 
• 2008. Manuscript Reviewer, Journalism: Theory, Practice & Criticism.
• 2008. 'Top rated paper' award from 9th International Symposium on Online Journalism.
• 2008. Manuscript Reviewer, Journalism Practice.
• 2008. Manuscript Reviewer, Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies.
• 2007. SOCRATES/ERASMUS Teacher Mobility grant to teach at the Institute of Journalism and Communication Studies, University of Hamburg, Germany, November 12-16. 
• 2007. 'Top rated paper' award from 8th International Symposium on Online Journalism.
• 2007. Winner City University Staff Research Prize.
• 2006. Judge, Nokia Citizen Journalism Awards (Ukraine).
• 2006. British Academy Overseas Conference Grant. 
• 2006. Joint 'Top rated paper' award from 7th International Symposium on Online Journalism.
• 2006. External Scrutineer, MA in Publishing, Centre for Publishing, School of Library, Archive and Information Studies, University College London. 
• 2004-5. Visiting Scholar, School of Information Management and Systems, University of California, Berkeley.
• 2003-2006. Awards from French Ministry of Agriculture to fund City University Journalism & Publishing students' participation in 10 day collaborative publishing project with Institut Pratique de Journalisme, Paris. 
• 2004. Judge, IPC Editorial Awards (websites).
• 2004. Judge, One World Media Awards (new media).
• 2001. City University Award for Distinguished Contributions to Teaching and Learning. 
• 1999. Scholarship to attend the 'Technology Conference for Educators', run by the Freedom Forum, San Francisco, USA.
• 1999. Judge, BAFTA Interactive Entertainment Awards.
• 1997. Royal Television Society (North). Special commendation for 'The Court and You', interactive video.
• 1995. Silver Apple Award (USA) for 'The Physical World' CD-Rom.