Journalism: finding its space in a new university: an exploration of how journalism education has developed within the University of the West of Scotland

This context statement explores and reflects on the development of degree-based journalism education at the University of the West of Scotland from 2004 until 2016. It seeks to identify key issues that presented challenges and opportunities in the design and implementation of the programmes. These comprised discussion around achieving the correct balance in curriculum content and in creating sustainable journalism education. It uses autoethnography as its key methodology to present what is a very personal journey that has impacted significantly on my role as programme leader of each of these programmes.

It identifies the challenges I encountered around theory and practice, meeting the needs of key stakeholders and explores the role of journalism education within my own university.

It concludes that there remain many challenges for journalism education as it seeks to provide sustainable learning environments set against a background of dynamic change within the news media but that opportunity lies in partnership both within the academy and with employers.