Invites Journalists to Apply to the Fourth Annual Workshop
Focusing on the human impact on coastal environments,
the June 2002 workshop offers 12 fellowships for journalists in all media.
Narragansett, R.I. — January 18, 2002 — Journalists interested in sharpening their scientific-based reporting skills are invited to apply for a week-long fellowship offered by the Michael P. Metcalf Institute for Marine and Environmental Reporting The Metcalf Institute offers 12 fellowships annually for journalists in all media to attend a hands-on science workshop that focuses on the science underlying marine and environmental issues. The five-day workshop, “Coastal Impacts: Marine and Environmental Science for Journalists” will be held at the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO) on June 23-28, 2002.
During this immersion workshop, journalists will come to URI’s Narragansett Bay Campus and work in the field and labs with scientists and public policy experts to conduct scientific research, computer research, and to review the principles and ethics that guide scientific inquiry. The workshops emphasize the links of science, public policy, and local communities. Metcalf fellows attend lectures, debates, and panel sessions given by leading journalists, scientists, and policy experts.
“The Metcalf Institute offers journalists opportunities to work directly with scientists to learn the basics of research,” said Executive Director Jackleen de La Harpe. “But just as important as science education is the informal time that writers have to talk shop with other journalists and scientific experts. Its an energizing experience.”
The journalists who attended last year’s workshop came from the United States, Russia, and Ghana and work in print, film, radio, and .com media. The workshop covered water quality, fisheries, and coastal geology, and included lectures by Ross Gelbspan, author of The Heat Is On; Dr. Robert Howarth, Program Director, Environmental Defense, The Oceans Program; Dr. James McCarthy, Harvard University; Senator Lincoln Chafee; and a panel debate on fisheries issues.
Journalists beginning to specialize in environmental and marine reporting and beat reporters who want to sharpen their reporting skills are invited to apply for a fellowship that provides room, board, and tuition to attend this workshop. The application deadline is February 25, 2002.
The Metcalf Institute was established in 1997 with an endowment from the foundations of three news organizations: A.H. Belo Corporation, owner of the Dallas Morning News and parent company of The Providence Journal, The Providence Journal Company, and the Philip Graham Fund, the foundation of The Washington Post. Additional funding was provided by the Telaka Foundation. The institute was established with the intent of helping journalists become better informed about science and research and to strengthen communication between journalists and scientists.
For more information about the workshop or to download an application, visit the Metcalf Institute website at www.gso.uri.edu/metcalf, or contact de La Harpe at (401) 874-6211.
Contact: Lisa Cugini, (401) 874-6642, lcugini@gso.uri.edu