Knight Foundation invests $3 million to launch new research center at University of North Carolina

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill announced that it will open a new research center to explore new models for community news and support the testing and development of innovative digital media products for local news sites. The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation is investing $3 million to launch the research center at the University of North Carolina School of Media and Journalism, with a $1 million match from the University Provost’s Office.

With the funding, University of North Carolina School of Media and Journalism Knight Chairs Penny Muse Abernathy and JoAnn Sciarrino will expand their digital media economics and marketing research. The research focuses on finding patterns and strategies to better sustain legacy news organizations and digital startups in the 21st century. The research center will further allow the school to build upon its work developing new digital tools and products that can help reporters and editors be more effective and nimble in the newsroom.