{"id":43401,"date":"2025-03-26T13:50:39","date_gmt":"2025-03-26T17:50:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/rinsfepscor\/?page_id=43401"},"modified":"2026-04-05T15:48:28","modified_gmt":"2026-04-05T19:48:28","slug":"the-open-newsroom","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/rinsfepscor\/the-open-newsroom\/","title":{"rendered":"The Open Newsroom"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Open Newsroom<\/h1>

A fellowship for undergraduates to explore science-related issues impacting communities via local news<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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Apply site-wide<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
2025 Open Newsroom fellow Jezell Green<\/div>
Photo by Therese Iacono<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n
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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.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Through The Open Newsroom<\/strong>, a partnership between RI-NEST and URI’s Metcalf Institute<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n

\"metcalf<\/div>

Journalism, Science & Discovery Combined<\/h2>

RI-NEST is partnering with URI\u2019s Metcalf Institute, which brings scientists and journalists together to foster informed, inclusive public conversations about environmental issues.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

Learn More<\/div><\/a><\/div>\n

The program culminates in the Community Conversation Night<\/strong>, an opportunity for the RI-NEST community and beyond to engage with news stories developed through The Open Newsroom and learn about the students’ experiences first-hand. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

What students will do<\/h2>\n

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:<\/p>\n

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

    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.<\/p>\n

    2025 Student Portfolios<\/h2>\n
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    \"SANKOFA-Sara<\/div>

    What makes a brownfield site (thrive)? <\/h2><\/div><\/div>
    Sara Homma, Brown\/RISD<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n
    \"SANKOFA<\/div>

    Research, resources behind family caregivers<\/h2><\/div><\/div>
    Dylan Brenner, RWU<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n
    \"J<\/div>

    Air and asthma among Providence youth<\/h2><\/div><\/div>
    Jezell Green, URI<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    2026 program dates <\/h2>\n
    \"a
    2025 Open Newsroom Fellow Sara Homma visited Southside Community Land Trust, harvesting vegetables and reporting on how gardens on remediated brownfield sites support community connection. Photo by Sara Homma<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Application Period:<\/strong> Monday, January 26 to Thursday, March 26 (<\/em>selected students will be notified by mid-April). <\/em><\/p>\n

    Fellowship Period:<\/strong> Tuesday, May 26 to Friday, August 14<\/em><\/p>\n

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    Expectations & outcomes <\/h2>\n

    By the end of the program, students will be able to: <\/p>\n