Tufte Thomas

Professor Thomas Tufte is an internationally leading scholar in communication for social change, holding positions at Loughborough University London (Institute Director, Institute for Media and Creative Industries since 2018) and University of Leicester (2016–2018). His academic journey includes roles at Roskilde University (2004–2016) and University of Copenhagen (1992–2003). He is an Honorary Senior Research Associate at University of Johannesburg and former UNESCO Chair at University of Barcelona.

Education: PhD in Media Studies (University of Copenhagen, 1995) and MA in Cultural Sociology (1989). Research focuses on media-audience interactions, democratic development, and global social change. He has led 7 major international projects across Africa, Latin America, and Europe, emphasizing participatory methodologies and decolonial perspectives.

Key research themes include citizen engagement via media, HIV/AIDS communication in South Africa, and the role of storytelling in social movements. His work bridges academia and practice through collaborations with UNICEF, World Bank, and NGOs like Danchurchaid. Fluent in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Danish, his publications span multiple languages and include 20 books and 100+ peer-reviewed articles.

Notable achievements: Co-founded Ørecomm Centre for Communication and Glocal Change (2008–2016), pioneered critical studies on new media's impact on global social change (2013–2017), and developed decolonial frameworks for communication studies. His recent focus includes Paulo Freire's legacy in communication pedagogy.