Dr. Kyser Lough is Assistant Professor of Journalism at the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. He researches visual communication and solutions journalism, both with an emphasis on photojournalism. Within visual communication, he studies how news images are made, selected, and interpreted, as well as the photographers themselves in how they define and operate within their field as they fight for legitimacy and job security. His solutions journalism work investigates how it is conceptualized/created, audience effects, and the interplay of words and images. Solutions journalism, a growing field of interest within journalism studies, compels journalists to go beyond just reporting about problems in a community by also covering what people are doing about it.
Dr. Lough has presented his research at both national and regional AEJMC conferences, as well as at ICA and specialty conferences. His research is published in peer-reviewed journals such as Journalism, Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, Journalism Practice, Visual Communication Quarterly, Digital Journalism, and The Agenda Setting Journal.
Prior to pursuing his Ph.D., Dr. Lough spent ten years as a photojournalist, reporter, and public relations practitioner. His work has appeared for the Associated Press and NCAA and in the Austin American-Statesman, Lexington Herald-Leader, Louisville Courier-Journal, Murray Ledger & Times, and American Hunter Magazine among others. He continues to freelance as a photographer in Athens and specializes in concert and sports photography.