Metcalf Institute and The College of Environment and Life Sciences
Program Goals
- Attendees will understand the basic frameworks of how journalists work, what they look for in story concepts, deadline pressures and more.
- Attendees understand the changing media landscape, focusing on the fracturing of traditional media and the rise of social media as American’s No. 1 news source
- Attendees will leave with a pitch for their scientific research and a two-page brief that will guide them through interviews with journalists, content creators, and the public
- Attendees will pitch their scientific research and papers to Metcalf journalism alumni
Facilitator: Fara Warner, Executive Director, URI Metcalf Institute
Attendees: Faculty, Post-Doctoral Candidates, Graduate Students and Staff
Attendees are eligible to become part of Metcalf’s Affiliated Faculty Program.
Workshop Description
Pre-workshop homework: Attendees will be asked to create a 250-word “pitch” for their research and one data visualization. These pitches and data visualizations will be reviewed by Metcalf facilitators and journalism alumni prior to the workshop.
The 90-minute workshops will consist of a 30-minute discussion of journalism and how it works and the changing media landscape. This will be followed by a 30-minute breakout session that pairs attendees with Metcalf journalism alumni to discuss and workshop their pitches and data visualization. The workshop will close with a 30-minute “pitch” session where attendees will present their pitches to other attendees and journalism alumni for instant feedback (3 attendees max to present).
Following the session, attendees may become Metcalf Affiliated Faculty and sign up for a Metcalf Science Talks session where attendees can present their newest work (embargoed if necessary) to an invitation-only group of journalists, including Metcalf alumni.