Joshua P. Darr
Associate Professor | Newhouse School | Syracuse University
Director, Local NExT Lab | Senior Researcher, IDJC | Carnegie Fellow
Associate Professor | Newhouse School | Syracuse University
Director, Local NExT Lab | Senior Researcher, IDJC | Carnegie Fellow
The Local News Experimental Testing Lab conducts rigorous experiments to understand what works in local journalism. We partner with newsrooms to test innovations and share insights across the industry. We're also building the Local News Research Hub, a database making academic research on local news accessible to policymakers and journalists.
How local news affects political behavior, how campaigns adapt to changing media, and how to strengthen journalism as civic infrastructure.
Examining how local media shapes political knowledge, participation, and polarization through studies of newspaper closures and news deserts.
Analyzing field office placement, advertising strategies, and how campaigns target voters in different information environments.
Testing what newsroom innovations actually work through experimental research with local news organizations.
Studying how media consumption shapes political attitudes, partisan news effects, and TV news coverage patterns.
Ongoing work exploring local journalism, civic engagement, and democratic participation.
How local news coverage affects political behavior and democratic participation.
Rethinking local journalism as civic infrastructure rather than content delivery.
I consult with news organizations, foundations, and policymakers on local journalism strategy and sustainable models. The Local NExT Lab partners with newsrooms to test innovations.
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