David Ryfe

David Ryfe is a Professor and Director of the School of Journalism and Media at The University of Texas at Austin. He previously served as Director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Iowa. His research focuses on the sociology and history of news, political communication, and the evolving role of journalism in democratic societies. He has conducted extensive ethnographic studies of newsrooms and explored the challenges facing journalism in the digital age.

His key works include *Can Journalism Survive?* (2012) and *Journalism and the Public* (2017), which examine the adaptability of journalism and its societal role. His current research investigates local news systems in a Midwestern city to assess the near-term future of journalism.

Ryfe’s academic leadership emphasizes preparing journalists for industry changes through curricular innovation. He has contributed to debates on media policy, journalism ethics, and the institutional foundations of news practices. His work bridges theoretical frameworks like actor-network theory and institutional theory with empirical studies of newsroom dynamics.

He holds a leadership role in fostering collaborative journalism education models and has written on the necessity of public subsidies for sustainable journalism. His research consistently addresses how journalism intersects with democratic processes and public life.