Keeping the Lights on and the Wolves Outside: College Student Media Advisers in Communities of Practice

Abstract

This research advances communities of practice (CoPs) theory by documenting a role distinct to CoPs within student newsrooms. Using a survey ( N = 127) of college student media advisers, the data support a liminal role in which advisers are simultaneously inside and outside the CoP. This study also develops and verifies scales for each of the four pillars of a CoP in student newsrooms, that is, practice, community, identity, and meaning. Furthermore, these findings explore the impact of newsroom structure on the formation of CoPs and the differences among advisers regarding time spent in mentorship and assessment.