Liisa Ovaska

I am a doctoral researcher in journalism. In my dissertation, I study the datafication of journalism, particularly the role of audience data in journalism. I focus especially on examining the audience’s perspective: how readers perceive the impact of audience data on the journalism they consume, and how acceptable they find journalistic practices involving audience data.

In my dissertation, I have utilized qualitative methods such as group interviews, individual interviews, and group chats conducted on the instant messaging service Signal.

Currently, my work is funded by the Media Industry Research Foundation of Finland. Previously (1/2023–2/2024), I worked on a research project funded by the Helsingin Sanomat Foundation, titled ‘Data-Shaped Journalism,’ where I studied the attitudes of Iltalehti readers towards the datafication of journalism.

Audience research, qualitative methods, journalism research. 

Secretary and Communications Officer of the Finnish Association for Media and Communication Studies

Prior doctoral studies, I was a researcher in a project titled ‘Printed or digital? The significance of user interface for reading habits and choices’. In the project, we studied how people read the newspaper on print and digital interfaces.