The Open Newsroom

A fellowship for undergraduates to explore communicating science-related issues impacting their communities

Photo by Ellen Fritz, 2024 SURF

In our daily lives, uncertainty and complexity are a given. We strive for our own understandings of the world and, through our work, seek to help others achieve theirs. Journalism is a formidable framework for comprehending such complexity and engaging others through stories of human experience around science and research.

Through The Open Newsroom, a partnership between RI-NEST and URI’s Metcalf Institute, undergraduates will assume the role of a local journalist and develop a deeper understanding of science issues facing RI communities. Through their work, Open Newsroom fellows will support public conversations about research and its role in society and culture.

2025 Open Newsroom Fellows

Dylan Brenner (he/him), Roger Williams University
I am currently a junior pursuing a bachelors of science degree in Public Health at Roger Williams University. I am also a member of the baseball team. I look forward to learning about communicating and making science more accessible around Rhode Island through the use of journalism.

Jezell Green (she/her), University of Rhode Island
I am a rising senior at the University of Rhode Island studying Cell and Molecular Biology with a concentration in Biochemistry. I have conducted research on the evolution of gene families and copies in mosses as well as developing innovative ecological management strategies to control the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus. Outside of academics, I serve as a student ambassador and peer mentor for the College of the Environment and Life Sciences. In my free time, I enjoy reading, exercising and doing crafts

Sara Homma,(she/her) Brown University/RI School of Design I am a Mexican-American artist from San Antonio, Texas, and a rising fourth-year student in the five-year Brown-RISD Dual Degree program studying Painting and International and Public Affairs. My work and writing explore governance and social systems through the conventions of modern art practice. I hope to communicate science via data and visual language, making issues more accessible to RI communities, particularly to Hispanic populations.

What students will do

Over 12 weeks, students will report on issues around science of their choice for a community to which they belong or care most about. Students in the Open Newsroom will:

Explore topics of interest and conduct journalistic research.
Establish trusting relationships with community members and expert sources to ethically report on issues of mutual interest.
Engage with mentors, peers and journalism professionals from across RI to develop a portfolio of creative pieces of journalism.
Reflect on how science journalism and the Open Newsroom experience impacts their perspectives on science and society.

Students will be paid for a 40-hour work week at $15 per hour. Over 12 weeks, this rate will total $7,200. Additional funding for mileage and supplies is also available.

Program dates

Journalism, Science & Discovery Combined

RI-NEST is partnering with URI’s Metcalf Institute, which brings scientists and journalists together to foster informed, inclusive public conversations about environmental issues.

Learn More

Application Period: Tuesday, April 1 to Tuesday, April 22
Fellowship Period: Monday, June 2 to Monday, August 18
More dates forthcoming!

Expectations & outcomes

By the end of the program, students will be able to:

Develop solutions-based approaches to reporting on potentially sensitive issues around science.
Build authentic and trusting relationships with community members in order to report on issues of science ethically.
Identify credible sources and summarize essential information about a science topic through journalistic research.
Create engaging news pieces that capture the current moment around an issue and make research accessible to non-expert audiences, as well as human experiences of those trying to solve environmental, societal and economic issues via science.

Both mentors and students will be expected to listen to and support each other throughout the Open Newsroom experience.

For questions, contact RI-NEST Communications & Outreach Coordinator Shaun Kirby at skirby@uri.edu. You may also view past student journalism projects supported by RI-NEST.

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