Rebecca Norris
About Rebecca Norris
Rebecca Norris is an Executive Director and Head of Product & Design Research at The New York Times, with a background in audience insights and design research. She also serves as a lecturer at Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism, focusing on training leaders in media organizations.
Current Role at Columbia University
Rebecca Norris serves as a Lecturer in Design Research at Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism. She has been in this role since 2024, contributing to the Sulzberger Executive Leadership Program. This program focuses on training leaders from established news organizations and emerging media start-ups, emphasizing the importance of design research in journalism.
Work at The New York Times
Rebecca Norris has held multiple positions at The New York Times, demonstrating a progressive career in audience insights and research. She currently serves as the Executive Director, Head of Product & Design Research, a role she began in 2023. Prior to this, she was the Executive Director of Audience Insights from 2021 to 2023, and she also worked as Research Director and Managing Director in Audience Insights between 2017 and 2021. Her tenure at The New York Times has spanned various roles, showcasing her expertise in understanding audience behavior and product development.
Education and Expertise
Rebecca Norris has a strong academic background in journalism and research. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia and later obtained a Master's degree from the same institution. Additionally, she completed the Sulzberger Executive Leadership Fellowship at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism in 2023. Her expertise includes psychophysiology and biometrics, which enhance her capabilities in research design and consumer insights.
Research Publications and Contributions
Rebecca Norris has published research findings in several prominent industry publications, including Business Insider, Ad Age, and CNBC. She authored a research paper titled 'Leveraging and Empowering Cambodia's Other Half,' presented at the ESOMAR 2016 Congress. Additionally, she co-authored a study published in the Journal of Health Communication, examining the effects of emotional tone and visual complexity on processing health information in prescription drug advertising in 2012. Her work reflects a commitment to advancing knowledge in the field of media and consumer research.
Previous Experience in Research and Insights
Before her roles at The New York Times, Rebecca Norris gained valuable experience in research and insights at various organizations. She worked at Annalect Group as Manager of Custom Research and Insights from 2011 to 2013, and at OMD USA as a Senior Research Analyst and Strategist from 2008 to 2011. Her diverse background in research roles has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of audience behavior and media strategies.