About Us

The News and Media Research Centre (N&MRC) advances public understanding of our changing media environment. The N&MRC is Australia’s only specialist Research Centre dedicated to exploring news consumption, social and digital media networks, and the legal, ethical and social impacts of communication technologies.

Established in 2013 and positioned in the nation’s capital, the N&MRC is a national research hub with wide and deep connections across disciplines, industries, academic and public institutions. Through its Category 1 grants and industry focused research, the Centre’s work is being used to inform government policy in the areas of media regulation, public interest journalism, and social media use in politics, Indigenous affairs and mental health.

The N&MRC includes ten researchers and eighteen HDR students. The high quality of Media and Communication research at the University of Canberra (UC) was ranked at world standard by the most recent Excellence in Research for Australia evaluation.

The Centre has an established record of interrogating the development, circulation, and impact of media on societal discourses to address critical issues for government, industry and community.

The N&MRC is globally recognised as the home of the only longitudinal study of digital news consumption trends in Australia, through its Digital News Report: Australia.

Located in UC’s Faculty of Arts and Design, the N&MC provides a strong educational foundation for the Discipline of Communication and Media Studies, and engagement with local communities, national and international policymakers.

Research activity occurs in three research labs that together deliver on N&MRC objectives: Critical Conversations Research Lab; Digital News + Research Lab; Media Cultures Research Lab.

For further information on the N&MRC download our latest Annual Report.