Colin Porlezza

Colin Porlezza is Associate Professor of Digital Journalism and Director of the Institute of Media and Journalism (IMeG) at the Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society. He also leads the European Journalism Observatory (EJO) and holds an Honorary Senior Research Fellow position at City, University of London. Previously, he was a Research Fellow at Columbia University’s Tow Center for Digital Journalism.

• PhD in Communication Sciences – Università della Svizzera italiana
• Licentiate (BA/MA) in Communication Sciences – USI, specialization in Mass Communication and New Media
• Work experience at University of Zurich and University of Neuchâtel

His research centers on digital journalism, with emphasis on automated journalism, artificial intelligence, datafication, disinformation, and journalistic ethics. He investigates how digital technologies reshape journalistic roles, norms, and practices, particularly in public service and hybrid news environments. His work bridges technical innovation with ethical and societal implications.

The 15 most recent articles highlight a consistent trajectory in AI and journalism, focusing on automation, accountability, verification tools, and innovation. Keywords span communication, AI, ethics, and media policy, while subfields include algorithmic transparency, hybrid workflows, fact-checking, and value-sensitive design—reflecting a strong interdisciplinary focus on responsible technological integration in newsrooms.

• Knight News Innovation Fellowship

Prof. Porlezza has secured major research grants from the Swiss National Science Foundation, Horizon 2020, Google Digital News Initiative, and OFCOM. He leads the JoIn-DemoS and Diacomet projects and previously directed Designing Hybrid Journalism and DMINR. He advises PhD students as Director of the PhD Program and collaborates with media organizations like SRG SSR and Tamedia. His advisory roles include the Austrian National Journalists' Study and Innovamedia network.

He leads the Institute of Media and Journalism (IMeG) and the European Journalism Observatory (EJO), fostering collaborative research across Europe. These units serve as hubs for innovation, policy dialogue, and knowledge transfer between academia and professional journalism.