Professor Wayne Hope and Dr Martin Hirst founded JMAD in 2010 to promote research about the media and communication industries, news and journalism profession. The centre is currently co-directed by Professor Wayne Hope and Dr Gregory Treadwell. Associate Professor Merja Myllylahti, who co-directed the centre over seven years, is now leading JMAD's trust in news and AI and newsroom projects. Professor Verica Rupar, who is now heading Media Diversity Research Centre in London, is also a former co-director of JMAD. The centre has active researchers who are doing research in variety of topics, including media ownership, trust in news, election reporting, Māori media, radio and TV broadcasting, hate speech, climate reporting and AI & newsrooms.