Professor Laura Ahva studies the evolving landscape of journalism and instils confidence in its future: “The need for journalism will not cease to exist”

What are your main research interests?

I study journalism, primarily journalistic work. Lately, my research has focused on the interaction between journalism and its neighbouring fields. I examine how the participation of non‑journalists influences journalistic practices. As a result of digitalisation, tools such as data analytics and software have now become an integral part of journalistic workflows.

Another form of participation that interests me is the role of event organisation in journalism. Journalistic events – such as discussion events or even theatrical performances that are, at their core, journalistic in nature – are becoming increasingly common. This has led me to explore the work of event organisers and how they interact with journalists.

I am also interested in the role of external funding providers in the creation of journalistic innovations. Which innovations are financially supported through competitions, and why? Which ideas are deemed worthy of further development? 

I also have a long-standing interest in the study of public participation in journalism. I am keen to find out how journalists consider and involve the public in their work.

What makes your research significant?

To understand society, we need factual information. Journalistic organisations play a key role in producing this information. It is therefore important that we understand how journalism works and consider how it might be improved.

News journalism is an extremely fast‑paced field. Unlike news reporters, we journalism researchers have the luxury of being able to slow down and take time for in-depth investigation and reflection. 

For example, my colleagues and I are conducting a longitudinal study that follows journalism graduates from Tampere University and Turku University of Applied Sciences and examines their career paths over a ten‑year period. This study has now reached its half-way mark. We need slow research to understand both the present and the future. If this type of research is not carried out within academia, it simply does not get done. It is important to recognise that the discovery of scientific findings is often a long process.

The terms ‘communication’, ‘media’ and ‘journalism’ sometimes get mixed up in everyday conversations. While journalism shares the same broad domain as communication and the media, it operates under a distinct set of principles, such as the Journalist’s Guidelines in Finland. Journalism is always oriented towards timeliness and the pursuit of truth. This special role of journalism needs to be clarified and defended. 

Photo: Jonne Renvall / Tampere University

How would you describe yourself as a teacher?

I recently started teaching master’s thesis seminars after a long break. I managed to encourage students to attend in person, and now we sit together in a circle, talking and learning how to conduct research. I find this way of working extremely inspiring, as it closely resembles the collegial refinement of ideas. 

As a teacher, I want to inspire and encourage independent thinking among my students. 

I enjoy teaching precisely because it is an interactive process. Often, the thoughts buzzing in my mind become clearer once I talk them through with others. 

What would you want to study next and why?

I am eager to undertake more in‑depth research on data and AI in the context of journalism. Digitalisation and AI are changing journalism. While AI can offer journalists helpful tools and systems, many of which are already in use, it is also reshaping journalism at a systemic level. 

It is now becoming increasingly important to return to the core principles of journalism: news criteria, source criticism and fact‑checking. In the age of AI, how can journalists make sure that something is true? How can they identify and select reliable sources? With these age-old questions resurfacing, we must go back to the basics, albeit in a completely new context.

What do you do in your free time?

Ten years ago, some colleagues and I formed a band, thinking that a musical playgroup for adults would be a fun hobby. That was when I learned to play the drums. I now play in another band as well, and we write our own songs.

Creative activities provide the perfect counterbalance to my professional life. Music is a more recent interest, but dance has been a long‑standing hobby of mine, well before I ever joined a band.

Welcome to the inaugural lectures of the new professors on 11 May 2026