Lewis Friedland

Lewis Friedland is the Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor in the School of Journalism & Mass Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with an affiliation in the Department of Sociology. He leads the Center for Communication and Democracy, focusing on civic journalism, communication research methods, and the intersection of media and civil society. His work addresses youth engagement, digital media ecosystems, and systemic crises in democratic discourse.

Education: B.A. in Sociology from Washington University in St. Louis (1985 Ph.D., Brandeis University). Joined UW-Madison in 1991, promoted to Professor in 2002.

Research interests span civic journalism, public sphere theory, and digital media’s role in democracy. Recent work examines political polarization, voting barriers, and the erosion of civil society in Wisconsin. His projects include foundational work on online civic platforms like ONline Wisconsin and the Civic Practices Network.

Articles highlight trends in political communication, digital media’s impact on civic engagement, and systemic challenges to democracy. His work bridges theoretical frameworks (e.g., Habermas) with empirical studies of media ecosystems and youth lifeworlds.

• du Pont-Columbia Award
• Emmy Award
• Society for Professional Journalists Award
• Corporation for Public Broadcasting Gold Award

Grants include funding from Ford Foundation, Pew Charitable Trusts, Knight Foundation, and others. Advised projects on youth civic engagement and community media sustainability. Consults for Wisconsin Public Television’s news programs.

Directs the Center for Communication and Democracy, fostering interdisciplinary research on media, democracy, and societal change. Collaborates on initiatives linking communication theory to civic innovation.