Mark Spilsbury is the NCTJ’s research consultant. He is leading the Emerging Skills for Journalists project and also authored the NCTJ’s Journalists at Work 2012 report. Mark has worked as an economic adviser to the government and is now a consultant in the private sector.

We all know how fast journalism is changing. Developments in how news is gathered, advances in technology and the ongoing debate about press regulation mean that the industry looks very different from even just a few years ago. Given the inevitability of this change, it is important that we attempt to understand and facilitate it so that the industry can make the most of the opportunities it may present.

That is why the NCTJ is inviting HoldtheFrontPage readers to contribute their views to the latest research project, which examines the changes in the journalism industry and the implications of those changes for the employment and use of journalistic skills.

The following issues are being investigated in this research project:

• Developments in the business models of publishing and broadcasting;
• The impact of Leveson;
• Employers’ use of journalists and journalists’ skills;
• Changing journalistic skills: the impact of IT and digitisation on journalistic skills;
• Changing sectoral employment of journalists; and
• Continuing skills and professional development

The project also aims to determine whether changes identified will continue to develop and therefore continue to have an impact.

The results of the research will be published in the summer on the NCTJ website.

The issues and consultation papers have been distributed to industry professionals, and responses are currently being collected.

These papers, including information on how to contribute your views, can be accessed here: www.nctj.com/journalism-research