Expression of Interest: Journalism Safety Research Network (JSRN) seeks co-leads for its Regional Working Groups focused on journalism safety issues

The Journalism Safety Research Network (JSRN), hosted by the Centre for Freedom of the Media (CFOM) in the Department of Journalism Studies at the University Sheffield, is seeking regional co-leads to form regional work groups (RWG).

The JSRN is a global network with over 200 researchers from more than 50 countries around the world. Its aim is to contribute towards the development of joint spaces for research co-operation and innovation by enabling the sharing of knowledge and expertise, as well as proposing wider suggestions for understanding and addressing the complex issues associated with journalism safety.

The JSRN serves to facilitate the exchange of ideas, publications and networking opportunities through conferences, seminars and workshops as well as the development of research agendas and policy proposals.

The JSRN also seeks to present and promote academic voices in the context of the development of international policy agendas on journalism safety and the implementation of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity. Following the conclusion of the 2022 Academic Consultation on the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity (UNAP), the Global Academic Community (GAC) highlighted the importance of hosting events to exchange knowledge on journalism safety issues in regions across the world. In their Outcome Document, UNESCO highlighted this recommendation, noting the importance of an interconnective approach between stakeholders. The regional co-leads of the RWG will be involved in implementing this recommendation. 

The RWGs will provide a space for members to connect and network and is intended to support the building of research capacity and quality while aiming to strengthen the community of researchers working on issues of safety across the different regions of the world. The aim with the RWGs is also that these develop into platforms that facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange between academics as well as between academic researches and non-academic actors including representatives from civil society organisations and policy makers. 

We are seeking regional co-leads in different regions from around the world to head up a RWG. Regions include: Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, MENA, Western Europe and North America .  Two co-leads per RWG will be appointed. The role is voluntary and not renumerated. 

The role of the co-leads will be to take a leading role in developing terms of reference, together with the RWG membership, when it comes to the aims of the working group and its activities; convening regular meetings of the RWG (online); and taking an active role in continuously expanding the RWG membership.

The main responsibilities of the co-leads will be as follows:

  • Organise online meetings with members of their RWG (at least four a year)
  • Provide summaries of RWG meetings that take place for members by taking minutes
  • Liaise with members of the RWG
  • Collate research evidence from their RWG to contribute towards a JSRN newsletter and communicate with the JSRN secretariat at the Centre for Freedom of the Media 
  • Attend two online meetings a year with other RWG co-leads and collaborate with other RWG leads to develop joint initiatives within the JSRN

If you are interested in applying for the position of co-lead, please submit a 300 word expression of interest  stating why you wish to apply for the position and how it aligns with your own research. Please also send us a short CV (1-2 pages) outlining your relevant experience and publications. We encourage applications both from established and Early Career Researchers as well as from researchers within civil society organisations and institutions. Please include which region you are applying for. Please submit your application to cfom@sheffield.ac.uk by 10 March 2023. Applicants should be willing to commit to the role for up to one year.

For further information please email both Dr Gemma Horton, Impact Fellow for the Centre for Freedom of the Media (gemma.horton@sheffield.ac.uk) and Dr Sara Torsner (s.k.torsner@sheffield.ac.uk).