Dr Pieter Verdegem, Reader in Technology and Society at the University of Westminster’s School of Media and Communications, Course Leader of AI, Data and Communication MA and member of the University’s Communication and Media Research Institute (CAMRI), has been awarded a prestigious Innovation Fellowship from the British Academy to collaborate with Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, on a project exploring the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in shaping trust in news and media.
The Fellowship enables researchers to undertake 12-month projects in collaboration with policymakers in central government. The scheme supports efforts to address complex challenges in digital society and responsible AI by strengthening partnerships across academia and policy.
Dr Verdegem’s research will investigate the use of AI in UK media industries and its effects on perceptions of trust and credibility in the news. The project will compare actual practices with public perception, and investigate how workers in these sectors are questioning, adapting or rejecting its use. He will also evaluate media literacy and critical thinking skills needed to effectively navigate and assess AI-generated information, including news content, and examine how such content impacts trust in journalism - particularly among vulnerable audiences.
The Fellowships are funded in partnership with the UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) through the Bridging Responsible AI Divides (BRAID) programme. They aim to bring academic expertise into policymaking environments to inform decision-making in key societal areas.
The partnership also provides the cohort of Innovation Fellows with unique access to opportunities within BRAID’s own Fellowship programme, which includes 17 researchers collaborating with various technology companies, start-ups, research institutes, advocacy groups, volunteer organisations, public bodies and cultural institutions.
Speaking about the award, Dr Verdegem said: “I'm delighted to receive funding from the British Academy and the BRAID programme, allowing me to collaborate with Ofcom on research examining the public impact of AI. This Fellowship presents an exciting opportunity to bridge academic research with regulatory practice, working directly with the UK's communications regulator to better understand how AI technologies are shaping our digital landscape and affecting citizens across the country. I'm looking forward to contributing evidence-based insights to inform policy approaches.”
This Fellowship directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Learn more about the Communication and Media Research Institute at the University of Westminster.
