Backpack students talk to faculty member Valérie Bélair-Gagnon about the human side of innovation in journalism and media.
Innovation is often framed as speed, disruption and constant change — but Associate Professor Valérie Bélair-Gagnon is more interested in what the pace demands from the people behind the work. Grounded in sociology and media research, her work explores how media, management and journalism shape innovation, asking how purpose, connection and well-being can be sustained in media environments that are constantly pushing people to do more, faster.
Through years of fieldwork and research inside media organizations, Bélair-Gagnon has focused on the human side of transformation — where creativity, pressure and burnout frequently collide. As author of The Paradox of Connection, Happiness in Journalism and Journalism Research that Matters, Bélair-Gagnon’s research helps us better understand how people work, create and connect amid ongoing technological and institutional change.
We sat down with Bélair-Gagnon to talk about well-being in journalism, media labor and why creating conditions for people to thrive matters more than chasing the newest technology.
Backpack: How did you end up at Hubbard?
Valérie Bélair-Gagnon: I was drawn to Hubbard and CLA because they sit in a perfect spot: they bridge academic rigor with professional practice and have a strong liberal arts core. My research on newsroom dynamics aligns with the school’s commitment to interdisciplinary thinking. The biggest draw was the chance to collaborate with amazing colleagues and connect with the vibrant Twin Cities media ecosystem.
B: How has your background in sociology shaped the way you view media today?
VBG: Sociology gave me a crucial lens to see media as more than just content; it’s a complex web of institutions and power structures. My first question is always: Who benefits? Whose labor is hidden? It helps me understand media as a social practice shaped by norms and inequalities. I move beyond technology to examine the systems people navigate to innovate and maintain their well-being.
B: In The Paradox of Connection, you explore how media shapes relationships. What is one key takeaway you found?
VBG: The big takeaway is that connection and disconnection happen simultaneously. People use media to find community, but the same platforms can ramp up isolation and comparison. While intentionality and boundaries are key to genuine connection, it is also essential to recognize that the ability to disconnect is a privilege. For many people, especially those in the gig economy or marginalized communities, the expectation of constant digital availability erodes agency. Ultimately, media doesn’t control our relationships, but the design and societal pressures around media use create profound inequalities in how we can manage them.
B: What is one thing that you want students to know about Hubbard before graduating?
VBG: I want students to know that Hubbard is a lifelong community and network, not just a set of classes. They should maximize the mentorship and industry connections that extend far beyond graduation. The skills they develop here are incredibly adaptable and powerful. My advice is to explore widely and build foundational relationships across Hubbard, CLA and the broader UMN community in the Twin Cities and beyond.
B: What is your Hubbard Hot Take?
VBG: My hot take is this: Innovation is not about chasing the newest technology; it is about creating the institutional conditions where people can genuinely thrive.
To learn more about Valérie Bélair-Gagnon and her work, visit her CLA faculty profile.
Text by Ashaar Ali, photo by Jessica Chung, Office Hours logo by Reagan Frystak, Backpack students.