Knut Lundby

Knut Lundby is a Professor Emeritus of Media Studies at the University of Oslo's Department of Media and Communication within the Faculty of Humanities. He specializes in mediatization theory, the intersection of media and religion, and their roles in societal conflicts. His career includes roles as department head, research director, and coordinator of major projects like CoMRel (2014–2018) examining mediatized religious conflicts. He retired in 2018 but retains an emeritus research agreement.

Education:

• Cand.mag (1973): Political Science, Sociology, Christianity, Social Economics
• Mag.art (1975): Sociology (specializing in mass communication and religion)
• Dr.philos (1986): Sociology of Religion

Research Interests: Lundby’s work focuses on mediatization processes, particularly how media shape religious practices and public discourse. His research explores:
- Mediatized religious conflicts in Scandinavia
- Digital storytelling and identity formation
- Public service media transformations
- Media’s role in secularization and democratization

Awards and Recognition:

• 2018 Stewart M. Hoover Mentorship Prize
• 2018 Honorary Award (Norwegian Association for Media and Communication Researchers)

Grants and Projects: - Led CoMRel (Research Council of Norway, SAMKUL-funded)
- Coordinated Nordic networks on media and religion
- Directed InterMedia (2006–2012), exploring digital design and learning

Labs/Teams: Active in interdisciplinary research groups, including the Research Network on Religion in Pluralist Societies (PluRel) and the European 'Changing Media – Changing Europe' programme.