Northeastern University’s ‘What Works’ local news project announces free, all-day webinar on ‘Audience, AI and Events’

Whether you're a journalist, entrepreneur or community volunteer, you’ll find practical tools to strengthen your local news work at “Audience, AI and Events” — a free, all-day webinar on Thursday, May 21, sponsored by the What Works project at Northeastern University.

We’ve brought together leading practitioners to facilitate hands-on workshops in three areas that matter most right now: building and engaging your audience, using AI ethically and effectively, and planning events that deepen community ties and boost fundraising.

“What Works: The Future of Local News” is part of Northeastern’s School of Journalism, affiliated with the Center for Transformative Media. 

To register, please click here.

Here is the day’s schedule:

8:15 to 8:30 a.m. Welcome from Ellen Clegg and Dan Kennedy, co-leaders of What Works and co-authors of “What Works in Community News: Media Startups, News Deserts, and the Future of the Fourth Estate.”

8:30 to 10 a.m. “Audience Development and Engagement” with Emily Turner, deputy editor of community at Boston.com.

10:15 to 11:45 a.m. “AI Skills for Local News Organizations” with Dr. John Wihbey, professor of journalism and media innovation at Northeastern University.

Noon to 1 p.m. Keynote address by Dan Lothian, editor-in-chief and general manager of local news at GBH and professor of the practice in Northeastern’s School of Journalism. He will be in conversation with Lee Hill, executive editor of GBH News. They will be introduced by Jonathan Kaufman, director of the School of Journalism.

1:30 to 3 p.m. “Event Planning for Building Community” with Iris Adler, veteran broadcast news executive and a board member at Brookline.News.

3:00 to 3:15 p.m. Wrapping things up with Ellen Clegg and Dan Kennedy.