Lauren Kastner | Jan. 3, 2012
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| Photo by Nicholas Demille |
| Roy W. Howard Professor Dave Weaver plans to continue his research work in retirement. |
Although he will no longer be in a classroom, Weaver said he plans to continue his research indefinitely, including compiling more data on American journalists, a topic he has visited often in the last several decades.
In 2012, he will collaborate with journalism professor Lars Willnat for another study of journalists’ work and thoughts about their careers. Weaver said he also will continue to serve on doctoral committees and advise a few graduate students.
Weaver has been connected with IU nearly all of his student and professional life. After completing his undergraduate and master’s degrees at IU in the 1960s, Weaver received his Ph.D. from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 1974 and returned to the IU journalism program the same year.
His research niche is agenda setting, an exploration of media effects on the public as well as influences on the media agenda such as news sources, other news media, journalistic norms and traditions, unexpected events, and media audiences.
Weaver is author of more than a dozen books, including the American Journalists series in collaboration with various School of Journalism colleagues over the years. The most recent, The Global Journalist in the 21st Century, will be published in April 2012 with co-editor Lars Willnat.
Weaver also has served as president of the Midwest Association for Public Opinion Research and of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.
“I’ve spent my entire career at IU and I don’t want to give it all up,” Weaver said. “I care about the school and I care what happens, so I want to keep my hands in it. But it’ll be nice not to have all the other responsibilities.”
While Weaver plans to spend more time with his family and get back into his hobby of playing guitar, he said he “will keep doing research as long as I have health and good people to work with.”
Since Weaver has witnessed the administration of four of the five journalism deans at IU, he said he was excited to be a part of the school’s centennial celebration this year and to see alumni return.
Journalism dean Brad Hamm said Weaver is the first professor at the School of Journalism to be awarded IU’s Distinguished Professor title. Hamm said Weaver’s presence at the school and at the university level has been widely felt.
“Weaver is known internationally and he has been a clear leader for decades as a top scholar in our field,” Hamm said. “He has an incredible record both in quality and quantity, and he has worked with scholars and students throughout the world.”
While IU is exploring the idea of merging the School of Journalism with other departments, Weaver said he hopes the School of Journalism will retain its identity and values while moving forward.
“I think it is important to retain the crucial ideas and values of journalism, such as accuracy and fairness,” he said. “I am optimistic this place will remain one of the best schools of journalism in the country.”
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