To celebrate the opening of UO School of Journalism and Communication Center for Journalism Innovation and Civic Engagement, 50 innovators in media, technology and journalism recently took part in Front50, a public discussion on the evolution of journalism in the digital age.

“I’m extremely excited and thrilled by those possibilities and the community we are forming,” said former New York Times multimedia editor and new innovation center Chair Andrew DeVigal. “I think the center can really make an impact, and it’s going to be the gathering place for reimagining journalism.”

Front50 featured a number of prominent speakers: Matt Mansfield, former executive editor at National Geographic; Justin Ferrell, fellowship director at Stanford University; Tiffany Shackleford, executive director of Association of Alternative Newsmedia; and Trei Brundrett, chief product officer at Vox Media all gave presentations at the Aug. 14 gathering. UO jounalism professor Ed Madison, a faculty fellow at the center, also attended the event.

“Where do we go? Where do we take journalism next? It’s a big question but we certainly have the right people in the room to address it,” Madison said. 

The center is based at the George S. Turnbull Portland Center, bridging the two UO School of Journalism and Communication programs in Portland and Eugene. The center will open officially Nov. 7.

―By Nathan Stevens, Public Affairs Communications intern