Deadline: 11 October 2013
Open to: working journalists, including freelancers
Venue: 16 – 18 December 2013 at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
Description
Applications are being accepted for Energy and Climate Boot Camp program organized by Knight Science Journalism at MIT. The main purpose of this Workshop is to explore topics from the latest solar power research such as the artificial leaf and wearable solar panels, to understanding the mechanics of climate models. This workshop will be held from 16-18 December 2013.
The objectives are to explore the facts and fictions of climate change, explore the intersection of science and politics, and discuss the question of whether leaders have begun to turn their backs on science and progress in challenging political times.
This is the issue of our time: how humans extract energy from nature and what price we will pay for how we do it. As a news story this one can only grow and get more complex. We can see the crises coming, and we know there will be great opportunities in the coming change as well. Reporters will need access to the best minds across science and technology in order to keep up.
In this three-day boot camp, first-rank thinkers on energy and climate will talk about how we got where we are, what the essential issues are, and how they might be addressed in a difficult political climate. The faculty for the workshop will be leaders from science and engineering at universities along with top policy makers as well.
We’ll explore topics from the latest solar power research such as the artificial leaf and wearable solar panels, to understanding the mechanics of climate models. We’ll explore the facts and fictions of climate change. We’ll explore the intersection of science and politics, and discuss the question of whether leaders have begun to turn their backs on science and progress in challenging political times.
Costs
They will select 10- 12 journalists to participate. If selected, they will reimburse you up to $750 of your travel expenses to Cambridge and provide lodging for three nights. They do not reimburse expenses for meals as they provide most during the boot camp. (Travel reimbursement is by check in U.S. dollars only. Electronic transfers are not available. Reimbursement typically arrives 4 to 6 weeks after travel concludes.)
Sessions are held on the MIT campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. Participants are required to attend all sessions.
Eligibility
Working journalists, including freelancers, are eligible to apply.
Application
The deadline is 11 October 2013. The application process for all Knight Science Journalism Fellowships and Boot Camps is now entirely online. Please carefully review the information at the website HERE for the entire application procedure.
Before starting an application for the first time, you must create a user account on their application website HERE, and then click the “Start New Application” button to begin. You can save your progress and return to the application multiple times before submitting.
In the course of completing the online application form, you will be asked to submit several supporting documents. For each required document, you can either upload a PDF file or type (or copy/paste) the document’s contents into the text area provided. The following documents are required for Boot Camp applications:
- Professional Statement: Tell us about your journalistic experience and why you want to attend this Boot Camp. Not to exceed 500 words.
- Résumé or Curriculum Vitae: Be sure to include your education and work history.
- Freelancers: (Non-freelancers are not required to submit this item.) Provide a list of all your freelance jobs in the last 12 months. Include each story, venue, and date of publication or broadcast. If your client is not widely known, provide some idea of who or what it is. A few words for each job is sufficient.
Applicants to all KSJ programs will be asked to provide examples of their professional work. Choose samples that best illustrate your interests and abilities. For Boot Camps, four samples are required.
Letters of recommendation should come from individuals familiar with your work and should comment on your abilities and your commitment to journalism. For Boot Camps: Two letters are required. Non-freelancers, please submit a third letter from your organization’s publisher or your immediate supervisor supporting your application and granting a two- to four-day absence to attend the Boot Camp, if selected. (Freelancers may skip this item.)
The final page of the online application form includes a button to submit your application. You must complete this step in order for your application to be considered.
Visit the My Applications page at any time to check the status of your applications and any associated letters of recommendation. You will also find links to review your completed applications and generate printer-friendly copies for your records.
Please contact ksj.admissions@mit.edu with any questions regarding the application process. For further details, see the official website HERE.
