Science journalists must be independent and critical. This course will help participants with techniques and insights to make their voices heard. You will learn to think beyond current trends and fashions. How do we distinguish false information from fact? How do we examine potential conflicts of interest behind certain scientific findings? And how do we ensure professional standards and questions of ethics in science
coverage are upheld? This course focuses on the current state of science journalism in German media and how German science reporters cope with current and upcoming professional challenges.
Attendance and E-Learning
“Science Journalism in Germany” is a blended-learning program. It consists of three stages: a one day attendance-workshop in Saint Petersburg, a two-month-long e-learning phase and an intensive attendance phase in Hamburg at the end.
The course kicks off with a special workshop in Saint Petersburg which brings together the participants and prepares them for stages two and three. The training will pay special attention to Interlinks e-learning platform.
The workshop is followed by an e-learning phase. In this stage the journalists get to know the German media system with special focus on science journalism. Each week they read through compact but challenging literature. Their newly achieved knowledge is reviewed in regular online-tests. The e-learning requires an average time commitment of 5 hours per week.
During their six days’ stay in Hamburg, the participants will acquire new journalistic skills in a curriculum consisting of lectures, practical group work and discussions. To give a broad overview of current best practice in science journalism in Germany, the program will be complemented by visits of several leading Hamburg-based science editorials – as well as world known scientific institutions. Bringing together science editors, media experts and scientists is aimed to mark a start for networking and new stories. Even after the end of the course, Interlink Academy will remain in close contact with the participants through Alumni and mentoring services.
- September 29: Kick-off meeting in Saint Petersburg, Russia (Stage 1)
- October 1 to November 23: E-learning phase – Participants study and work via Interlinks e-learning platform (Stage 2)
- November 24 to November 30: Attendance phase in Hamburg, Germany (Stage 3)
Trainers
Courses at the Interlink Academy are run by skilled trainers with considerable experience with international study groups. Great attention is paid to the journalistic expertise of lecturers as well as their experience as educators. Ada von der Decken is the course leader.
Who Can Participate?
The “Science Journalism in Germany for Russian Reporters” program is aimed at professional journalists from Russia. Applicants are expected to have demonstrated their journalistic talent as member of an editorial team or as a freelancer. Their work experience should show strong emphasis on scientific topics, respectively data journalism.
The applicants should be interested in using modern technical tools for journalism. An understanding of the role of independent media in democratic societies is a given.
Prospective participants should be open to reflections on the values of their profession.
Applicants must have a good command of the English language (written and spoken), as the program will be held in English.
The Interlink Academy expects salaried editorial staff to be released from their duties for the duration of the attendance phases while continuing to be paid by their employer, and to receive appropriate support from them during the e-learning phase. Applicants must be in possession of valid international travel documents.
Costs
Participants receive a scholarship grant to cover course fees and international travel costs. Participants are expected to organise their trip to the Kick-off meeting to Saint Petersburg by themselves. During the attendance phase in Hamburg, the participants will be accommodated in a hotel at the expense of the Interlink Academy, and receive an adequate daily allowance for meals.
Sponsors and Partners
The program is sponsored by the Foreign Ministry of the Federal Republic of Germany.
How to Apply
Applications will be accepted as from August 1 to August 19, 2018. They must be submitted online using the electronic application form on the Interlink Academy website. Please draft the required motivational letter with care. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
For any queries, please contact ada.decken@interlink.academy.
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