Announcing: Journalist in Residence Program

An opportunity to collaborate with the Minnesota Journalism Center

What: Journalist in Residence Program
Who: Journalism practitioners at any level in career
​Duration: 4 months (from February to May 2018)
Financial Support: Up to $7,000 (salary and research expenses)
Application deadline: January 17, 2018

The Minnesota Journalism Center invites proposals from professional journalists to collaborate on innovative projects to improve the practice or understanding of journalism. This year we are giving special consideration to ideas and projects focused on solving problems A) created by misinformation and mistrust in the news media and B) innovation and audience engagement in newsrooms. We encourage scholarly research that leads to new understandings about the practice of journalism, and we welcome ideas and projects that could strengthen democracy through better journalism.

The Journalist in Residence will be asked to produce a short 3- to 5-page white paper summarizing major findings, which will be published on the Minnesota Journalism Center website and promoted through our social channels.

The Journalist in Residence program is designed for individuals working in the media industry in Minnesota who want to collaborate with the Minnesota Journalism Center. We are interested in receiving proposals from journalism practitioners working in print, broadcast, digital or social media.

In addition to their ongoing professional work, the Journalist in Residence will have the opportunity to spend time on campus at the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication, to engage the intellectual and technological resources of the Minnesota Journalism Center and the Hubbard School, and to interact with students and faculty on projects of professional and/or scholarly interest. The Journalist in Residence may be invited to speak in journalism classes and/or to organize an event with the Minnesota Journalism Center.

The Journalist in Residence will be provided with salary as a part-time (approximately 5-10 percent time) teaching specialist at the University of Minnesota for a portion of spring semester 2018. In addition to salary support, the Journalist in Residence will have access to research facilities (libraries, focus group room, etc.), and a budget for appropriate and permissible research-related expenses.

Applications for the Journalist in Residence program should be sent to Professor Valerie Belair-Gagnon, Director of the Minnesota Journalism Center, no later than January 17, 2018, at [email protected].

Applications must include a research proposal and a curriculum vitae/resume. The research proposal should include a statement of the research topic; a description of how this project relates to larger themes in journalism; research questions; a detailed timeline for completion of the project (from February to May 2018); and a short budget, if any. Candidates will be evaluated by an external committee composed of professional journalists and faculty members at the HSJMC.

Questions about the Journalist in Residence program should be directed to Professor Valerie Belair-Gagnon, Director of the Minnesota Journalism Center at [email protected].

Laptop and notepad on desk