Research
What We're Building & Studying
Project C doesn't just teach journalists how to go independent — we're tracking the ecosystem as it grows.
A living map and database of 1,400+ verified creator-journalists — organized by beat, platform, and geography. Independent journalism didn't disappear. It's moving. Co-founded with Ryan Darnell.
Visit the Atlas →
US Indie Info Providers: Professionally Diverse, Mission-driven, Sometimes Lonely, Rarely Earning Profit
A first look at the people shaping independent information in the United States — and the challenges keeping most of them from breaking even. Project C contributed recruitment, field knowledge, and expertise to this landmark study by the Center for News, Technology & Innovation.
Read the report →The Rise of the Creator-Journalist
A 2026 study examining how independent video journalists are making the creator model work — and why they're not just a trend, but an integral part of the future of news.
Read the report → In partnership with Medill's Local News InitiativeThe Media Ecosystem Chicago
A deep dive into Chicago's expansive media landscape, applying Project C's News Ecosystem Framework to a specific market for the first time — and uncovering 100 previously unindexed sources.
Read the report →The Top 50 Creator Journalists
An annual list of the independent journalists doing the most interesting, influential, and sustainable work in the creator model. Our first list launched in 2025.
See the list →News Ecosystem Map
An interactive map showing how the current news landscape is structured — who's filling which roles, where the gaps are, and how creator journalism fits in.
Explore the map →
