Research
We commission research that contributes to the broader understanding of informed and engaged communities, both now and in the future. Our commissioned research has focused on key thematic areas that contribute to ongoing conversations of significance to the foundation.
In 2024, Pew Research Center and Knight Foundation joined forces to launch the Pew-Knight Initiative, an effort to deepen our understanding of how Americans absorb civic information, form beliefs and identities, and engage in their communities.
Knight Free Expression Research Series
Knight Foundation values the First Amendment, evident in our ongoing research on free expression since 2004.
College Student Views on Free Expression and Campus Speech 2024
Future of the First Amendment 2022: High schooler views on speech over time
Knight Diversity of Asset Managers Research Series
In 2010, Knight Foundation realized its limited use of diverse asset managers and began changing our investment practices. Since 2017, we have published research to foster transparency about the use of diverse owned asset managers.
Knight Diversity of Asset Managers Research Series: Higher Education 2024
Knight Diversity of Asset Managers Research Series: Higher Education, Interim Release (2022)
Trust, Media and Democracy
Since 2017, Knight Foundation and Gallup have studied media trust, news sustainability, and attitudes towards internet policy technology attitudes. The project’s 12 reports and 22 articles received 900+ media mentions and 500+ academic citations.