Every
year, the Knight Science Journalism Program (KSJ) offers ten science
journalists a 9-month fellowship — geared to the September-to-May academic
year — designed to enable them to explore science, technology, and the
craft of journalism in depth, concentrate on a specialty
year, the Knight Science Journalism Program (KSJ) offers ten science
journalists a 9-month fellowship — geared to the September-to-May academic
year — designed to enable them to explore science, technology, and the
craft of journalism in depth, concentrate on a specialty
in science, and to
learn at some of the top research universities in the world.
Each
Fellow largely designs his or her own course of study, with consultation
offered by the director and the KSJ staff. Fellows are required to audit at
least one science course per semester but are other wise encouraged to explore
the wide range of offerings at MIT, Harvard, or other institutions
in Cambridge and Greater Boston. The program is designed to offer a rich
and varied mix of coursework, attendance at departmental colloquia, research
trips, lab visits, interviews, reading, and writing.
Fellow largely designs his or her own course of study, with consultation
offered by the director and the KSJ staff. Fellows are required to audit at
least one science course per semester but are other wise encouraged to explore
the wide range of offerings at MIT, Harvard, or other institutions
in Cambridge and Greater Boston. The program is designed to offer a rich
and varied mix of coursework, attendance at departmental colloquia, research
trips, lab visits, interviews, reading, and writing.
Fellows
receive a stipend of $70,000 as well as some additional benefits, including
basic health insurance. As such, Fellows must refrain from paid professional
work during the course of the 9-month program, unless the program director
grants prior permission.
receive a stipend of $70,000 as well as some additional benefits, including
basic health insurance. As such, Fellows must refrain from paid professional
work during the course of the 9-month program, unless the program director
grants prior permission.
The
program is divided between activities arranged by the Knight Science Journalism
program and self-directed activities. KSJ also provides social activities –
from welcome parties to holiday celebrations – to help build a sense of
community. Fellows often report that life in Cambridge and the sense of
collegiality within the Fellowship are among the most rewarding aspects of the
year.
program is divided between activities arranged by the Knight Science Journalism
program and self-directed activities. KSJ also provides social activities –
from welcome parties to holiday celebrations – to help build a sense of
community. Fellows often report that life in Cambridge and the sense of
collegiality within the Fellowship are among the most rewarding aspects of the
year.
Among
the many Knight Fellowship programs and activities:
the many Knight Fellowship programs and activities:
•
Seminars: Fellows meet regularly for seminars with top researchers and media
professionals.
Seminars: Fellows meet regularly for seminars with top researchers and media
professionals.
•
Field Trips: The program organizes several trips each year to locations of
special interest to science and technology writers. Past destinations have
included the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the Marine Biological
Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA, the Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, ME, and the
Harvard Forest in Petersham, MA.
Field Trips: The program organizes several trips each year to locations of
special interest to science and technology writers. Past destinations have
included the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the Marine Biological
Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA, the Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, ME, and the
Harvard Forest in Petersham, MA.
•
Digital Media Training: The number of storytelling channels open to journalists
is multiplying, and we want our Fellows to return to the workforce with more
technical skills than they had coming in. We offer workshops in various
technologies, including video and audio capture, still photography, digital
editing, animation, data journalism and podcasting.
Digital Media Training: The number of storytelling channels open to journalists
is multiplying, and we want our Fellows to return to the workforce with more
technical skills than they had coming in. We offer workshops in various
technologies, including video and audio capture, still photography, digital
editing, animation, data journalism and podcasting.
•
Workshops: Occasionally the program organizes special 1- or 2-day workshops on
science, technology, and journalism issues. These have ranged from policy-based
questions, such as a focus on food security, to basic science backgrounders,
such as a series of lectures from leading nanotechnology researchers. The
Knight Fellows gain automatic admission to these workshops.
Workshops: Occasionally the program organizes special 1- or 2-day workshops on
science, technology, and journalism issues. These have ranged from policy-based
questions, such as a focus on food security, to basic science backgrounders,
such as a series of lectures from leading nanotechnology researchers. The
Knight Fellows gain automatic admission to these workshops.
For
information on applying to the 9-month program, please visit our eligibility
page.
information on applying to the 9-month program, please visit our eligibility
page.