Erika Hellekant Rowe

Erika Hellekant Rowe is a Lecturer in Media and Communications at Karlstad University and a communicator for both Karlstad Municipality and Karlstad University. She holds a Degree in Teaching (Swedish and History) from Karlstad University and trained at Berghs School of Communications. Her professional background includes work as a copywriter (1999–2008), freelance writer under Hellekant Rowe Kommunikation, and singer in the Latin band Comboio. Her research focuses on local journalism, hyperlocal media, and the evolving dynamics of news reporting in decentralized environments.

Research interests emphasize the interplay between media environments, local news integrity, and the impact of remote reporting on community engagement. Her work explores how hyperlocal media address news gaps and the consequences of journalists operating outside traditional local newsrooms. Key publications include analyses of newsroom restructuring, hyperlocal information ecosystems, and the adaptability of local journalism in the digital age.

Contact: erika.hellekant-rowe@kau.se