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Survey: What do UK journalists do after losing their jobs?

A new survey asking laid-off journalists what happens after the newsroom, was launched today by the University of Central Lancashire and Journalism.co.uk.

Journalists who have left newspapers in the UK are invited to contribute to the study, led by François Nel, who previously worked as a journalist in the US and South Africa and now runs the Journalism Leaders Programme at UCLAN.

"Who gets cut, and what happens next to the survivors, many of whom are assumed to be middle-aged professionals who have lost not just a job, but a career?" asked Nel, who intends to keep the study running for five years.

"I'm also wondering about the gaps that the layoffs leave in the industry. Gaps in experience. Gaps in professional memory. And gaps in perspective. For example, do we know what the impact of the layoffs has been diversity in newsrooms?"

Findings from the study will be sent to the respondents and reported by UCLAN and Journalism.co.uk.

"I hope it will be useful for them to see how their experiences compare with others who have also gone through the process," Nel said.

Nel said the lessons learned will also inform the work he does with newsroom managers and the curriculum on offer to would-be journalists at UCLAN.

"We are acutely aware that in this fast-changing context, it’s important not only to train people for a specific job, but also to equip them with the competences that would allow them to be employable in a variety of sectors - or even to start their own businesses," he said.

Take part: are you one of the journalists who has been laid off?

Journalism.co.uk and UCLAN want to know about your experiences of losing your job and how you have adapted in your personal and professional life since leaving the newspaper. We're also considering the gap in knowledge and experience you have left behind.

The survey, which draws on work by colleagues in the US and the University of Kansas, is voluntary and confidential. Results cannot be attributed to a specific individual unless the individual chooses to reveal himself or herself. You also can refuse to answer any question. The survey will take 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

If you would like to take part in the study, please complete the survey at this link.

If you'd like a copy of the survey results, just add your contact details at the end and we'll send the report to you.

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uclan | journalism | about us | job losses | journalism leaders programme |

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