Benjamin Shors

Benjamin Shors serves as Chair of the Department of Journalism & Media Production and Professor of Practice at Washington State University's Edward R. Murrow College of Communication. He oversees four degree programs and directs experiential learning initiatives including the Murrow News Service, Rural Plunge, and Backpack Journalism Program. As project director for the $2.4 million Murrow News Fellowship Program, he expands civic coverage in underrepresented communities.

Shors holds an M.A. from the University of Montana School of Journalism (2000) and a B.S. from Montana State University (1998). His research focuses on rural and underrepresented populations in media, with notable emphasis on documentary film production, science writing, and sports journalism. His work bridges academic scholarship with practical journalism through extensive community engagement and documentary projects focused on Indigenous communities and rural America.

His recent publications reveal a strong trend in Indigenous storytelling through documentary film, particularly examining the Blackfeet Flood of 1964 and related cultural impacts. These works demonstrate interdisciplinary approaches combining journalism, environmental studies, and cultural preservation, often utilizing digital platforms and mobile applications for educational outreach. The recurring themes across his portfolio include community resilience, historical documentation, and innovative storytelling techniques for underserved populations.

• Best Short Documentary, Dallas Independent Film Festival (2021)
• Indigenous Voices Award, Montana International Film Festival (2019)
• Fellow, Scripps Howard Journalism Entrepreneurship Institute (2018)
• Outstanding Teaching Faculty, Murrow College (2014)
• National Finalist, Livingston Award (2008)
• First place, Investigative Reporting, Associated Press, Region 10 (2006)
• Fellow, International Center for Journalists (2004)

Shors has secured significant funding from organizations including Independent Television Service, Online News Association, Vision Maker Media, and state humanities groups. His Murrow News Fellowship Program represents a major state-funded initiative addressing media deserts. He has advised numerous student projects including international reporting trips to Cuba and collaborative documentary productions with tribal communities. His leadership extends to directing the Rural Plunge program which immerses students in rural journalism challenges.

Through the Murrow Media Mind Lab and Rural Information Initiative, Shors develops programs connecting students with rural communities while advancing research on media representation of underserved populations. His work with the Blackfeet Nation on flood documentation exemplifies his commitment to place-based journalism that empowers communities through storytelling.