Nature India | Indigenus

Nature India, TDU launch science Media Fellowship

MF2Nature India is proud to partner with the TransDisciplinary University, Bengaluru to launch India’s first dedicated media fellowship for science journalism.

The TDU-Nature India Media Fellowship for Science Journalism will financially support – with a bursary of Rs 100,000 each – four Indian journalists to explore and report on scientific research as well as allied fields such as biodiversity, health and environment, seen through the lens of science. It aims to help the media fellows create a strong body of work by publishing or broadcasting stories in their respective media outlets. (Details here.)

These stories will have a nuanced focus on science while they look at issues such as biodiversity, health and/or environment and build upon the expertise available with the TDU and Nature India. They will, in turn, generate public discussion and understanding in these areas, hopefully leading to improved understanding of policy issues.

Balakrishna Pisupati, Vice Chancellor of the TDU says the media fellowship was envisaged to give an opportunity to science journalists in the country to strengthen their professional acumen as well as generate interest among journalists in other beats to look at issues with a scientific perspective. They will be able to interact closely with scientific experts from the university, Nature India, and international organisations such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The media fellows will be able to access the best in Nature Research and receive active mentoring throughout their reportage during the fellowship. In addition to being able to create a body of good quality reporting, the fellows will also be encouraged to create a peer group that raises the bar for science journalism in the country.

The media fellows will be invited for a three-day orientation workshop at the TDU campus, where they will be introduced to some of the University’s research activities. They will also have time to discuss one-on-one with subject experts in their chosen topic and develop story ideas. There will be an expert coordinator for the media fellowship programme and experts from the TDU and Nature India will also be available for consultation during the fellowship period.

Fellowship Themes: Applicants can choose one of the following themes for pursuing their fellowship: 1. Pure and applied sciences; 2. Biodiversity; 3. Health, and/or 4. Environment. The media fellows can look at ongoing research at TDU on these themes and also elsewhere for their story ideas during the fellowship.

Eligibility: Professional journalists, including freelancers, in Print and New Media in English and any Indian regional language, with at least three years of demonstrated experience in writing on science, biodiversity, environmental, health or allied issues. Regional language Fellows will need to know some English for communication.

Application Deadline: September 24, 2017.  Selected applicants will be notified within four days.

All other application details can be found at https://tdu.edu.in/mediafellowships

Comments

There are currently no comments.