Neil Fowler awarded Guardian Research Fellowship to study regional press at Oxford

Neil Fowler, the former editor of Which? and four regional daily newspapers, has been awarded the Guardian Research Fellowship and will spend 18 months at Nuffield College, Oxford University, studying the regional press.
Neil left the editorship of Which? after nearly three years in the chair last year. He joined the magazine, which champions consumer rights, in February 2006 and oversaw a major revamp of the title.
He was made editor of Northcliffe's Lincolnshire Echo in 1985 after working on the Leicester Mercury and the Derby Evening Telegraph. He went on to edit the Derby paper, then The Journal, Newcastle, and the Welsh national morning title, the Western Mail. He was CEO and publisher of the Toronto Sun in Canada before joining Which?
Neil said today: "I will be looking at how regional newspapers have changed since the Second World War. I'll be looking at whether there really was a 'golden age' for the regional press, the impact of new technology and how communities have changed."
He will look at the role played by the City as well, the success of the kind of small newspapers championed by Sir Ray Tindle and hopes to use some of the reserch techniques used by Which?
Neil's research will form the basis for a public lecture and may be published in a book. He takes up the Fellowship in October 2010.

Neil Fowler's Best of 2008

Neil Fowler, who has edited Which?, the Western Mail, The Journal, Newcastle, Derby Evening Telegraph and Lincolnshire Echo, and been publisher-CEO of the Toronto Sun, names his Best of 2008.

Best old/trad media of the year: The Economist - still growing, still brilliantly written and edited - and with a high cover price. It shows there's still hope for the old inkies amongst us.

Best new media of the year: Most successful - has to be Google, still, frighteningly - but not sure that makes it the best. The best? How about jointly the Sun and Mail sites? They've worked out how to get visitors galore - and nothing's going to stop them converting those eyeballs in to increasing cash flow.

Best story of the year: Worst, really - the credit crunch - and its deepening effects.

Prediction for 2009: For the media: Regional newspaper groups will force the Government's hand over ownership rules with a high-profile deal that will cost many jobs if it doesn't go through. And for the public: Savers will rebel and become much more vociferous against low interest rates.

Tomorrow: A bumper 'Best of 2008' from Ian Reeves, director of learning and teaching at the new Centre of Journalism at the University of Kent. He can teach us a thing or two. Don't be late for lessons.

Rest of the Best of 2008 so far: Paul Linford, Adrian Monck , Grey Cardigan , Jean Morgan, Steve Busfield.