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In a period of unprecedented challenges for journalism, Harvard University’s Nieman Foundation has selected an innovative and distinguished group of journalists for its 2020-21 fellowship class and has created new visiting fellowships to address racial justice and public health.
Nieman, a center for internationally recognized journalism fellowships, publications and programs, has selected 16 Nieman Fellows for its 83rd class, including investigative reporters, science journalists, editors, television and radio producers, a critic, a columnist and newsroom executives working across all media platforms.
Due to Harvard campus restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the academic-year fellows will begin their fall studies online. The university and Nieman are preparing classes and programming that utilize Harvard’s vast academic and creative resources and take advantage of the interactive capabilities of distance learning.
In addition, Nieman will offer remote visiting fellowships this coming year in support of projects that address racial justice and public health in the U.S., dual challenges underscored by the growing anti-racism movement and the global coronavirus pandemic.
This special initiative, designed to complement our yearlong fellowship program, will offer targeted research opportunities and specialized training to individuals in the U.S. with innovative ideas to advance the representation of journalists of color throughout the news industry; improve coverage of underreported stories and communities; explain the impact of coronavirus on an area or group; or enhance reporting expertise and coverage of public health. Learn more about the visiting fellowship and view the rolling application, due by September 25.
“The challenges for journalism are as consequential as ever, inspiring Nieman to recommit to its mission of fortifying journalists through its fellowships while also creating new opportunities to meet this moment,” said Nieman curator Ann Marie Lipinski. “This will be a historic year at Harvard and we look forward to working with these gifted journalists to redefine what education and fellowship can look like during a pandemic. We are also eager to offer new support for projects focused on fostering racial justice and public health, areas of deep concern for the nation and our industry. Journalism’s new challenges are opportunities for Nieman to help in new ways.”
The Nieman Foundation has educated more than 1,600 journalists from 99 countries since 1938. In addition to taking classes during their time at Harvard, fellows participate in Nieman seminars, shop talks, workshops and master classes and conduct research with Harvard scholars and others in the Cambridge area.
Nieman will host journalists Emily Corwin and Scott Dance as the 2021 Abrams Nieman Fellows for Local Investigative Journalism. After two semesters of study at Harvard, they will receive fieldwork support for a public service reporting project and participate in specialized journalism education. The fellowships are funded by a generous grant from the Abrams Foundationdesigned to strengthen local news coverage in underserved communities across the United States.
Visit the website for the full list of fellows.
