The Conversation (website)
The Conversation is a network of nonprofit media outlets publishing news stories and research reports online, with accompanying expert opinion and analysis.[1][2] Articles are written by academics and researchers under a Creative Commons license, allowing reuse without modification. Copyright terms for images are generally listed in the image caption and attribution.[3][2] Its model has been described as explanatory journalism.[4][5][6] Except in "exceptional circumstances", it only publishes articles by "academics employed by, or otherwise formally connected to, accredited institutions, including universities and accredited research bodies".[7]: 8
Type of business
Nonprofit
Analysis, commentary, research, news
English, French, Spanish, Indonesian
April 2010
Australia
Australia, Africa, Brazil, Canada, Europe, France, United Kingdom, United States, Indonesia, New Zealand, Spain
Andrew Jaspan, Jack Rejtman
150+ (2020)
No
Optional
24 March 2011
Active
The website was launched in Australia in March 2011.[8][9] The network has since expanded globally with a variety of local editions originating from around the world.[10][11] In September 2019, The Conversation reported a monthly online audience of 10.7 million users, and a combined reach of 40 million people when including republication.[12] The site employed more than 150 full-time staff as of 2020.[13]
Each regional or national edition of The Conversation is an independent nonprofit or charity funded by various sources such as partnered universities and university systems, governments and other grant awarding bodies, corporate partners, and reader donations.[13][14][15]
History[edit]
Launch[edit]
The Conversation was co-founded by Andrew Jaspan and Jack Rejtman,[16] and launched in Australia in March 2011.[8][9]
Jaspan first discussed the concept of The Conversation in 2009 with Glyn Davis, vice chancellor at the University of Melbourne. Jaspan wrote a report for the university communications department on the university's engagement with the public, envisioning the university as "a giant newsroom", with academics and researchers collaboratively providing expert, informed content that engaged with the news cycle and major current affairs issues.[17] This vision became the blueprint for The Conversation.
Jaspan and Rejtman were provided support by Melbourne University in mid-2009 that allowed time to incubate the business model. By February 2010, they had developed their model, branding, and business identity that they launched to potential support partners by way of an Information Memorandum in February 2010.[18]
The founders secured $10m in funding from four universities (Melbourne, Monash, Australian National University, University of Western Australia), CSIRO, the Victorian State Government, the Australian Federal Government, and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.[1] The Conversation Media Group opened its Carlton office in November 2010 with a small team, and launched to the public in March 2011.
Departure of Andrew Jaspan[edit]
In March 2017, Andrew Jaspan resigned as executive director and editor, six months after being placed on enforced leave after complaints from senior staff in Melbourne about his management style and the global direction of the group.[19][20] Management of the UK, U.S., and Africa offices also wrote a letter of no confidence to the Conversation Media Group asking that Jaspan not have an active role in the future.[21]
Reception[edit]
Articles originally published in The Conversation have received republication on a regular basis by major news outlets. These have included The New York Times, The Guardian, The Washington Post, and CNN.[23][5][4] As of 2015, approximately 80 per cent of the site readership were of a non-academic background.[66]
The Conversation has been described in Public Understanding of Science as "a blend of scientific communication, public science communication and science journalism, and a convergence of the professional worlds of science and journalism".[54]