Interview Study: How Journalists Work with ESG and Sustainability Information
About Me & Our Research
My name is Alina Strasser and I am a PhD student at the Chair of Financial Accounting at the Technical University of Munich.
As part of my doctoral research, I am conducting a qualitative interview study under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Jürgen Ernstberger and Prof. Dr. Benedikt Downar.
Our research aims to better understand how journalists identify, evaluate, and use ESG-related information when developing news stories. We are particularly interested in your professional experiences and perspectives on how sustainability-related information influences reporting decisions and the development of news articles.
The study focuses primarily on journalistic practices before the widespread adoption of generative AI.
Thank you for considering supporting our research. Your insights and experiences would be incredibly valuable to our study!
What We Explore
The interview is an open conversation about your professional experiences. Topics include:
Story Development How ESG-related story ideas emerge and which stories are pursued. | Information Sources How journalists find, access, and assess relevant information. |
ESG Data & Reporting The role of sustainability reports, ESG ratings, and other data. | Reporting Decisions Challenges in working with ESG information and how reporting priorities are set. |
Interview Process & Confidentiality
- Format & Duration: The interview takes approximately 20–25 minutes and can be conducted via Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or phone.
- Recording & Transcription: With your consent, the interview will be recorded and transcribed to accurately capture your responses.
- Transcript Review: After the interview, you will receive your transcript by email and have the opportunity to review it for factual errors.
- Confidentiality: All responses will be treated confidentially and pseudonymized. Participants will not be identified in the research.
- Voluntary Participation: Participation is voluntary, and you may skip questions or end the interview at any time.
Questions or Interested in Participating?
I would be happy to answer any questions you may have about the study or the interview process. Please feel free to contact me directly at alina.strasser@tum.de.