The Dart Center Ochberg Fellowship is a unique seminar
program for senior and mid-career journalists who want to deepen their
knowledge of emotional trauma and psychological injury, and improve reporting
on violence, conflict and tragedy.
Reporting responsibly and credibly on violence or traumatic
events — on street crime and family violence, natural disasters and accidents,
war and genocide — is a great challenge. Since 1999 the Dart Center for
Journalism and Trauma, a project of the Columbia University Graduate School of
Journalism, has offered the annual Ochberg Fellowships to outstanding
journalists interested in exploring these critical issues.
Fellows attend an intensive weeklong program of seminars and
discussions held at Columbia University in New York City. Program activities
include briefings by prominent interdisciplinary experts in the trauma and
mental health fields; conversations with journalist colleagues on issues of
ethics, craft and other aspects of professional practice; and a host of other
opportunities for intellectual engagement and peer learning.
The Ochberg
Fellowship covers all travel, accommodations and other expenses directly
related to program participation. The program does not cover costs related to health
insurance or ground transportation in fellows’ home cities.
Eligibility
Eligibility
Dart Center Ochberg Fellowships are open to outstanding
mid-career journalists working across all media.
Past Fellows have ranged from small-town and regional
general-assignment and crime reporters to war photographers and foreign
correspondents for international news organizations. Applicants’ work must
demonstrate journalistic excellence and a strong track record of covering
violence and its impact on individuals, families or communities.
Fellowships are open to print, broadcast and online
reporters, photographers, editors and producers with no fewer than five years’
full-time journalism experience. Approximately half of the Fellowship
participants are based in North America, with the balance drawn from Central
and South America, Europe, the Asia Pacific region, Africa and the Mideast.
All fellowship seminars are conducted in English. Fellows
must be fluent in spoken English to participate in the program.
Application Deadline and Details
This 2013 online
application deadline is October 11, 2013.
The Fellowship
program will be held January, 20-25, 2014 at Columbia University in New York
City.
Click here
to apply now.
Selection Criteria
Applicants are reviewed by a judging committee comprised of
Dart Center staff, Fellowship core faculty and past Fellows. Selection is not
based on any single factor. Among judges' considerations are whether
applicants:
- demonstrate consistent and thoughtful journalistic engagement with issues of violence, conflict, tragedy and their aftermath;
- have demonstrated journalistic excellence and leadership;
- will likely benefit personally and professionally from the Fellowship experience and contribute meaningfully to the program.
Other considerations may include geographic and other
diversity, and overall group composition.
The judging committee will review applications and select
10-15 fellows for 2013. Selected fellows will be notified by phone and email in
mid-November.
Click here
for further fellowship details
