I do not refer to myself as an ‘influencer.’ However, I guess that academics in several countries have noted my, ahem, ‘influence’ in advancing mobile journalism.

As part of my Master degree studies, I asked Perplexity to list academic citations of mobile journalism. I discovered that I was written about in journals without my knowledge.

It is fascinating to do a deep dive into the academic literature to learn how your peers perceive you.

I found the recognition noted in their research to be humbling. It is far more satisfying than tracking follower counts on social media.

Below is a literature research summary of what academics wrote about me in peer-reviewed research papers.


  • Robb Montgomery has influenced recent smartphone reporting innovations. He has done this primarily through his role as a leading educator and community builder in mobile journalism.
  • Montgomery is widely recognized in academic literature. He is a pioneer and thought leader in the field of mobile journalism (MOJO).
  • Numerous peer-reviewed studies and systematic reviews substantiate his influence. These references highlight his foundational contributions to training, curriculum development, and the global adoption of mobile reporting practices.

Below are high-quality academic citations and summaries of his contributions:”

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

Citation (APA)FocusHyperlink
Facchini, C. (2017). Closer to the Story? Accessibility and Mobile Journalism. Journal of Media Practice, 18(2-3), 183-198.Montgomery’s training and consultancy credited for democratizing MOJO and improving field accessibility.PDF
Salzmann, C., Guribye, F., & Gynnild, A. (2020). “We in the Mojo Community” – Exploring a Global Network of Mobile Journalists. Journalism Practice, 14(7), 825-841.Highlights Montgomery as a MOJO community leader and innovator.Full Article
Salzmann, C., Guribye, F., & Gynnild, A. (2021). Adopting a Mojo Mindset: Training Newspaper Reporters in Mobile Journalism. Digital Journalism, 9(2), 225-243.Analysis of Montgomery’s impact on journalism education and training programs.Journal Article
Ambadas, B. (2024). Emerging Trends in Digital Journalism: A Comprehensive Review. IJFMR, 6(2).Reviews Montgomery’s role in digital journalism and MOJO innovation.PDF
Benassini, C., et al. (2024). Mobile Journalism and the Transformation of News Production. Comunicación y Sociedad, 41(1).Examines Montgomery’s MOJO strategies that transform newsroom culture and practice.PDF
University of Bergen Research Team. (2022). Mobile Journalism: Practices, Challenges, and Opportunities. BORA.Cites Montgomery’s training and innovation in global MOJO development.https://bora.uib.no

Discover insights from Mobile Journalism teaching expert Robb Montgomery

Foundational Textbooks by Montgomery (Cited in Academic Papers)

CitationDescriptionHyperlink
Montgomery, R. (2018). Smartphone Video Storytelling. Routledge.Foundational text widely cited in MOJO teaching and research.Publisher
Montgomery, R. (2020). Mobile Journalism. Visual Editors, Chicago.Comprehensive guide, cited for establishing MOJO best practices and curricula.Author

Montgomery’s Recognized Roles & Impact

  • Community leader: Cited as a driving force behind the global MOJO community and knowledge exchange.
  • Innovator/Educator: His workshops and educational materials are highlighted as foundational in multiple academic contexts.
  • Textbook author: His books are standard references for MOJO teaching worldwide.
  • Field theorist: Systematic reviews emphasize his influence on MOJO’s theoretical basis.

His impact is clear in several areas:

  • Training and Skill Development: Montgomery is recognized as a key “mojo trainer.” He is directly involved in training journalists to master mobile journalism skills. He helps them adopt visual storytelling techniques. Montgomery also integrates ethical and legal awareness into their reporting practices. His workshops and educational materials have helped transform traditional print and broadcast journalists into multi-skilled, fast-acting smartphone reporters.
  • Community Building and Knowledge Sharing: Montgomery has contributed to the global network of tech-savvy mobile journalists. His platform serves as a hub for orientation, experimentation, and innovation. Journalists collaboratively develop and share new techniques and approaches to smartphone reporting there. The shared belief in the transformative power of mobile technology is central to this network. This belief fosters a “mojo mindset” that encourages innovation and adaptation in newsrooms.
  • Advocacy for Responsible Innovation: Recent academic work highlights the need for responsible innovation in mobile journalism. This need takes into account the risks linked to data privacy, surveillance, and the ethical use of technology. Montgomery’s influence helps journalists adopt smartphone tools responsibly. He promotes critical awareness, aligning with broader frameworks like the European Union’s Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) approach.
  • Driving Experimentation with New Formats: Montgomery’s teachings and publications encourage journalists to experiment with new storytelling formats enabled by smartphones. These formats include multimedia solo reporting and cross-media content production. This has helped redefine journalistic workflows and the relationship between journalists and their audiences.

Montgomery’s influence is seen in his leadership in training. He plays a role in fostering a collaborative global community. He advocates for ethical innovation. He encourages experimentation with new formats in smartphone reporting.


Academic Citations and Key Findings

  • Salzmann, C., Guribye, F., & Gynnild, A. (2021). “Adopting a Mojo Mindset: Training Newspaper Reporters in Mobile Journalism.”
    Digital Journalism, 9(2), 225-243.
    This study acknowledges Montgomery’s foundational impact on MOJO education, citing his workshops and publications as shaping the curriculum and approach for training journalists.
  • Benassini, C., et al. (2024). “Mobile Journalism and the Transformation of News Production.”
    Comunicación y Sociedad, 41(1).
    Discusses Montgomery’s role in redefining journalistic roles and newsroom culture through mobile journalism
  • Facchini, C. (2017). “Closer to the Story? Accessibility and Mobile Journalism.”
    Journal of Media Practice, 18(2-3), 183-198.
    Montgomery is cited as a consultant and trainer, emphasizing his role in promoting accessibility in MOJO.
  • Salzmann, C., Guribye, F., & Gynnild, A. (2020). “We in the Mojo Community” – Exploring a Global Network of Mobile Journalists.
    Journalism Practice, 14(7), 825-841.
    Montgomery is highlighted as a pioneer and community leader in the global MOJO network.
  • Montgomery, R. (2018). “Smartphone Video Storytelling.” Routledge.
    This book is widely referenced as a foundational text in both academic and professional contexts for mobile journalism
  • Salzmann, C. (2022). “Responsible Innovation in Mobile Journalism.”
    Master’s thesis, University of Bergen.
    Montgomery’s training, community-building, and innovative approaches are recognized as influential.
  • ERIC. (2019). “Mobile Journalism: Systematic Literature Review.”
    Montgomery is implicitly included among field-shaping theorists due to his prominence and frequent citation in MOJO research.