A delegation from Beijing Normal-Hong Kong Baptist University comprising faculty and students, recently participated in a pivotal international research training session at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. From September 20th to October 1st, the team engaged in intensive workshops for the third wave of the Journalistic Role Performance (JRP) Project, a landmark global study poised to shape the understanding of journalism for the next decade.

The BNBU delegation included Dr. Jesse Owen Hearns-Branaman, Head of the Department of Communication (DCom) and DCom faculty Dr. Runping Zhu, along with a Year 3 student Ms. Liang Chuqiao and recent alumnus Mr. Chen Liheng, who is currently pursuing a master's degree at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Their participation signals BNBU's growing engagement with world-leading academic initiatives and its profound commitment to fostering the next generation of global-minded scholars.

BNBU on the World Stage: Contributing to a Landmark Global Study

The JRP Project is one of the most extensive and ambitious collaborative research efforts in the field of media and communication studies. Since its inception in 2013, the project has evolved into a formidable academic network dedicated to systematically analysing journalistic cultures worldwide. The sheer scale of the initiative underscores its global significance: the consolidated network now includes 126 academics from 86 international universities across 59 countries, representing a vast range of political, economic, and media systems.

BNBU's involvement comes at a crucial juncture as the project launches its third and most comprehensive wave (2025–2029). This new phase expands the research scope to compare journalistic roles across television, radio, print, and online platforms in over 50 countries. By joining at the beginning of this wave, the BNBU faculty are not merely participants; they are foundational contributors helping to map the future of global journalism research. This forward-looking engagement places the college at the forefront of a living, evolving research movement that is actively shaping its field.

The Journalistic Role Performance Project: Understanding Journalism in a Complex World

In an era of intense debate about misinformation, media bias, and the evolving role of the press, the JRP Project provides an essential, evidence-based foundation for a more informed global conversation. The project's core mission is to empirically investigate the disconnect between the professional and normative ideals of journalism and the actual practices observed in news content. It moves beyond anecdotal evidence to provide rigorous, scientific knowledge on fundamental questions facing societies worldwide. The research addresses long-standing issues, such as the factors that enable or hinder the press's watchdog function, the nature of journalism provided by public service media, the rise of political infotainment, and the place of civic journalism in a saturated news environment. By employing a validated methodology centred on six distinct journalistic roles, the project offers a systematic framework for understanding how newsroom cultures, ownership structures, and political freedoms influence media content. BNBU's participation ensures that a perspective from China contributes to this vital work, which provides invaluable information to researchers, students, and media practitioners globally.

Fostering the Next Generation: A Unique Mentorship-in-Action Model

A defining feature of BNBU's participation was the unique composition of its delegation, which powerfully illustrates the BNBU's educational philosophy of bridging academic theory with hands-on, practical experience.

The inclusion of undergraduate student Liang Chuqiao and alumnus Chen Liheng alongside senior faculty is a testament to this commitment. This aligns perfectly with the ethos of the JRP Project itself, which has integrated approximately 100 students into its global research network.

The BNBU delegation represented a perfect microcosm of the academic journey: senior leadership, an active faculty researcher, an emerging scholar, and a recent graduate applying his skills at a top postgraduate institution. This structure showcases BNBU’s dedication to a continuous cycle of learning and mentorship.