Research
My research sits at the intersection of journalism, digital media, data, environmental communication and journalism education. I am interested in how journalism is changing, how journalists and audiences engage with emerging technologies, and how journalism education can respond to social, environmental and technological change.
My current work extends these interests into the Australian media landscape, with a particular focus on news deserts, media mapping, data development and evidence-based analysis.
Research Projects
Australian Media Landscape Monitor | AMLM
Macquarie University | Research Project Manager & Investigator | 2026–present
I lead research design, data development and project delivery for the Australian Media Landscape Monitor. The project examines Australia’s changing media landscape and develops data to support analysis, mapping and visualisation of the news ecosystem.
Current areas include news deserts, regional news organisations, media mapping and the sustainability of local news.
Journalism Education, Climate Change & Environmental Communication
PhD Research | Western Sydney University | 2020–2024
My doctoral research, The Media and Climate Change Communication: Using Tertiary Journalism Curriculum and Digital Landscapes for Solutions, examined how journalism education can respond to environmental and climate change challenges.
The research brought together participatory action research, environmental communication, journalism education and digital media, resulting in a curriculum model connecting journalism education with environmental communication and practice.
Environmental Communication Across Digital Landscapes
University of Strathclyde, Scotland | SGSAH & British Council Research Fellowship | 2022–2023
This international research fellowship explored environmental communication through digital media, examining perspectives across Scotland and Australia, including communication around plastic pollution and environmental issues.
AI, Journalism & Journalism Education
My emerging research examines how artificial intelligence is disrupting journalism education and what this means for pedagogy, professional practice, ethics and the future skills required by journalism students.
This work extends my broader interest in the relationship between technology, journalism practice and journalism education.
Research Themes
Journalism & Media
The changing nature of journalism, media sustainability and the Australian media landscape.
Journalism Education
Curriculum, pedagogy and the relationship between journalism education and professional practice.
Data Journalism
Data-driven storytelling, digital research and the use of data to understand and communicate complex issues.
Environmental Communication
Climate change, environmental journalism and digital communication.
Digital Media & AI
Digital transformation, artificial intelligence and their implications for journalism and media education.
Publications
My research outputs include peer-reviewed journal articles, a book chapter and refereed conference papers, with research presented at JERAA, ANZCA, IAMCR and IECA. My research has also received recognition through the Western Sydney University Junior Researchers Conference Best Paper Presentation Award (2022).
Selected Journal Articles
2026
Aleem, U. Navigating AI Disruption in Journalism Education: Challenges and Opportunities in Australian Higher Education. Accepted.
2026
Aleem, U. Participatory Action Research as a Democratic Methodology: Exploring Philosophical and Axiological Challenges for Media Researchers. Accepted.
2025
Aleem, U. Environmental journalism curriculum on climate action in Asia and the Pacific: Traversing contention to convergence. Global Media Journal, Australia.
2025
Aleem, U. The journalism education for environmental action within digital landscapes in Australia.
2024
Aleem, U., & Aleem, N. Use of Digital Media by Millennial Social Entrepreneurs for Poverty Alleviation in Punjab, Pakistan. Journal of Media and Communication Studies.
2024
Aleem, U., & Henderson, L. Reporting Plastic Pollution in the Digital Spaces: A Comparative Analysis of the UK and Australia.
Book Chapter
2014
Aleem, U. Role of Pakistani Women Journalists in Conflict-prone Areas for Peace and Internal Security. In S. Ijaz, Pervasive Exclusion and The Challenge of Inclusion: Gender Patterns in South and Central Asia, pp. 139–151. New Delhi: Serial Publications.
Research Profile
18 refereed conference papers
6 journal articles
1 book chapter
International research fellowship
Competitive research funding and scholarships
Research leadership in Australian media mapping and data development
My research continues to develop around the relationship between journalism, technology, education and public communication, with an increasing focus on the sustainability and transformation of Australia’s news media environment.
