Journalism is evolving at a rapid pace. New technologies, changing audience habits and shifting business models continue to redefine how news is produced and consumed. For Dr. Gregory Perreault, understanding those shifts starts with listening to the people experiencing them every day.
As a sports reporter in Palm Beach, Perreault spent his days chasing stories. But it was what happened behind the scenes that ultimately changed the course of his career.
“There was so much going on behind the scenes that shaped what people reported on and who got reported on within my community,” Perreault said. “It struck me that it would be so meaningful to find ways to help journalism be better.”
That perspective led Perreault from the newsroom to academia, where his research explores how journalism is adapting to change while continuing to serve the public. Now, as chair of The University of Alabama’s Department of Journalism and Creative Media (JCM) and a professor in the College of Communication & Information Sciences (C&IS), he hopes to help shape both the future of journalism research and the next generation of journalists.
Throughout his career, Perreault’s research has centered on a single question: How do journalists adapt? Whether examining reporters working in hostile environments or exploring the growing influence of artificial intelligence, his scholarship investigates how the profession responds to change while continuing to serve the public.
That same perspective shapes his teaching, where he encourages students to think critically about journalism’s future while developing the curiosity, adaptability and ethical foundation needed to succeed in a rapidly changing industry.
One of his current research projects examines how AI chatbots define news and journalism. As audiences increasingly rely on AI-generated summaries instead of visiting news organizations directly, Perreault is exploring how that information is sourced, presented and understood, along with what those changes mean for the future of journalism.
His scholarship has earned international recognition, including a Fulbright-Botstiber Fellowship and a fellowship with Oslo Metropolitan University’s Digital Journalism Research Group. His expertise has also been featured by media outlets around the world, including Le Monde in France and Falter and ORF in Austria.
That commitment to understanding the future of journalism is also what drew Perreault to Alabama.
He said he was drawn to the university because of its reputation as one of the nation’s leading journalism programs and because of the faculty whose research is helping shape the future of the field. Rather than reinventing the department, his goal is to support the work already underway while creating new opportunities for collaboration, innovation and student success.
Addressing the rapid pace of change in today’s professional landscape requires more than just reacting to daily obstacles; it demands a dual-pronged strategy that bridges the gap between current practice and future foresight. Educational and institutional leaders must balance immediate operational awareness with the forward-looking insights that only rigorous academic inquiry can provide. Highlighting this vital balance between practical relevance and visionary preparation, the strategy relies on a combined approach.
“I think that it revolves around two key tracks that we need to pursue,” Perreault said. “The first is that we have to keep very close ties with the industry and with people working within industry to see what the current challenges are being faced within the industry and how to best address them.”
At the same time, Perreault believes strong industry connections are only part of the equation. He said universities also have a responsibility to leverage faculty expertise and research to anticipate emerging trends and prepare students for challenges before they reach the profession.
“Perreault’s combination of professional journalism experience, internationally recognized research and collaborative leadership made him a natural choice to lead the department,” Dean Brian Butler said, noting his ability to balance the industry’s immediate needs with a forward-looking vision for journalism education.
Butler said, “In Dr. Greg Perreault, the Journalism and Creative Media department has a new leader able to bridge the gap between traditional media ideals and the demands of next-generation journalism and storytelling. His expertise and experience will be invaluable as we reshape our educational offerings and research portfolio for the changing media landscape.”
While Perreault is eager to help guide the department through a changing media landscape, he sees his role less as directing from the front and more as empowering those around him. His priority, he said, is creating an environment where faculty and students can thrive.
“My primary objective through this role is to support and to serve the great work that has been done, is being done and will be done through the department,” Perreault said. “If I’m doing it well, a lot of my work should be a little bit invisible. What I hope people remember is that I’m here to serve the great faculty and, of course, the students in the department.”
For Perreault, leading the department is the next chapter in the same mission that first drew him from the newsroom to academia: helping journalism better serve the public. Through research, teaching and leadership, he hopes to help both students and the profession adapt to whatever comes next.
