Felix Irmer

Felix Irmer is a Research Associate and PhD candidate at the Institute of Communication and Media Studies of Leipzig University. At the journalism department, he researches data-driven reporting and its organizational structures and processes. As Research Associate, he is currently substituting the tasks of an assistant professor position focused on data journalism (Juniorprofessur für Datenjournalismus). Prior to coming to Leipzig University, Felix worked for more than five years in media related consulting roles, most lately serving as senior public affairs and communications advisor in Berlin and Copenhagen. He is a former Fulbright fellow and holds an Erasmus Mundus Master’s degree in “Journalism and Media within Globalization” and a joint bachelor’s degree in media studies, literary and cultural studies. Felix has worked and studied in Germany, the U.S., Denmark, the Netherlands and Wales. As a reporter, he has a background in print, radio and photo journalism.

EDUCATION

  • PhD Candidate at the Institute of Communication and Media Studies of Leipzig University. (Since 2017)

  • Erasmus Mundus Master of Arts in “Journalism, Media & Globalization” (2012). Århus University & Danish School of Journalism, Graduate School of Journalism, University of California, Berkeley, Swansea University.

  • Joint Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies, Literary and Cultural Studies (2010). Paderborn University, Western Michigan University, University Maastricht.

AWARDS & HONORS

  • The Guardian Work Experience Scheme, Data Projects Team, Guardian Media Group, London (2019)

  • Best Pitch „Smart Stories“, PicturePunk Hackathon, Deutsche Presse-Agentur & next media accelerator (2017)

  • News21 Reporting Fellow, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation & Carnegie Corporation (2011)

  • College of Arts and Humanities Scholarship, Swansea University (2011)

  • Erasmus Student Mobility Grant, Åarhus University (2011/2012)

  • Fulbright Scholarship, Foreign Travel Grant, Institute of International Education, New York City (2008-2009)

PUBLICATIONS & OTHER WORK

  • Beiler, M., Irmer, F., & Breda, A. (2020). Data journalism at german newspapers and public broadcasters: A quantitative survey of structures, contents and perceptions. Journalism Studies, DOI: 10.1080/1461670X.2020.1772855

  • Irmer, F. & Breda, A. (2020). Datenjournalismus in deutschland: Bestandsaufnahme der strukturen, inhalte und wahrnehmungen von datenjournalistischer berichterstattung. In Scicar 2020. Neue wissenschaftliche Studien zur datenjournalistischen Praxis. TU Dortmund, WPK, Science Media Center. Dortmund, Germany

  • Irmer, F. (2020). Lokaljournalismus mit daten: Wissenschaftlicher impuls. In Scicar 2020.
    ddj lokal: Besserer Lokaljournalismus mit Daten. TU Dortmund, WPK, Science Media Cen-
    ter. Dortmund, Germany

  • Pegg, D., Duncan, P., Purvis, K., & Irmer, F. (2020). Revealed: Ex-mps use parliament access
    passes over 2,500 times in a year. The Guardian. Edition: September 13, 2020. Additional reporting.

  • Irmer, F. (2019). Data journalism at german newspapers and public broadcasters. In 11th global investigative journalism conference. Global Investigative Journalism Network, Netzwerk Recherche, Interlink Academy for International Dialog and Journalism. Hamburg, Germany.

  • Beiler, M. & Irmer, F. (2019). Technology-enabled objectivity? Assessing the spread of data journalism in the light of datafication, misinformation and contested truths. In Communication, technology and human dignity: Disputed rights, contested truths. International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR). Madrid, Spain.

  • Quinn, B., Duncan, P., Irmer, F., & Shenava, A. (2019). Cabinet’s voting record shows lack of support for abortion and gay rights. The Guardian. Edition: July 25, 2019.

  • Irmer, F. (2018). Best practice for data-journalism training. In 8th european investigative journalism conference and dataharvest. Journalismfund.

  • Irmer, F. (2018). Building an academic data journalism training schedule: Curriculum of the master “journalism (m.sc.)” at leipzig university. In European investigative journalism conference & dataharvest. Teacher & Trainer Day. Journalismfund. Mechelen, Belgium.

  • Schacht, K. & Irmer, F. (2018). How Mugabe's business policies have impacted Zimbabwian trade. Yourdatastories.eu.

  • Irmer, F. (2012). Reporting Cyberwar: The Representation of Digital Interstate Conflict in U.S. Newspapers. MA-Thesis. Swansea University, College of Arts and Humanities, Department of Political and Cultural Studies.

  • Irmer, F. (2011). Story production across Space and Time - Experiments in Global Collaborative Reporting from a Journalism Education Perspective by Wendy Bacon. Paper discussant at Crossing Boundaries: New Media and the Shape of International News, 17-18. March 2011, University of California, Berkeley, USA.

  • Irmer, F. (2011). Those Seeking Mandatory Labeling of Genetically Modified Foods Look to Milk. News21 - The Ration.

  • Irmer, F. (2011). Richmond radiological lab takes lead after Japanese earthquake. Richmond Confidential.

  • Irmer, F. (2011). Food Labels: EU Sets New Mark, Help Rethink Ours. Civil Eats.

  • Mathews, A., Mihalik, L. & Irmer. F. (2011). Who Moved the chips? News21 - The Ration. (Photo credit)

  • Ramirez, R., Jou, D. & Irmer, F. (2011). On Television, Latino Children See More Unhealthy Food Ads. News21 - The Ration. (Photo credit)

  • Irmer, F. (2011). Oakland police arrest suspect in giant identity theft investigation. Oakland North.

  • Irmer, F. (2011). Oakland police honor officers who have died in the line of duty. Oakland North.

  • Irmer, F. (2011). Port to offer a greener power supply to berthed ships. Oakland North.

  • Irmer, F. (2011). Armor-clad knights reenact sword battles at the Rockridge BART. Oakland North.

  • Baird, A., Irmer, F. & Chin, T. (2011). The Oakland Outlaws face off against the newest Bay Area Derby Girls team. SF Gate. (Photo credit)

  • Irmer, F. (2011). Man hospitalized after colliding with BART train in Rockridge & Man hit by BART train alive and conscious. Oakland North.

  • Irmer, F. (2011). Dance, debate and dinner at the Oakland Museum’s “April Ful’s Night” & “April Ful’s Night” offers a look at current Middle East events through art, culture. Oakland North.

  • Irmer, F. (2011). Longfellow Community Association celebrates its first anniversary. Oakland North.

  • Irmer, F. (2011). Street closures, new courses as Oakland hosts Running Festival this weekend. Oakland North.

  • Baird, A. & Irmer, F. (2011). Despite rain, Oakland Running Festival wraps up with record times and 7,000 runners. Oakland North. (Photo credit)

  • Irmer, F. (2010). Embedded Journalism: An Evaluation of Press Freedom and Biased Reporting in the U.S. Embedded Press System during the 2003 Iraq War. BA-Thesis. Universität Paderborn, Fakultät für Kulturwissenschaften.

  • Irmer, F. & Murphy, R. (2009). Can lack of independence be ethically justified when journalists use PR materials? Paper presentation at Central States Communication Association Convention, 1-5. April 2009, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.

  • Irmer, F. (2009). Intuition by Allegra Goodman. Teaching Ethics 10, Nr. 1: 115-118. doi: 10.5840/tej200910121.

MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS

  • National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting

  • Investigative Reporters and Editors

MEDIA PLATFORMS

Multimedia