Category Archives: David Poulson

David Poulson is the senior associate director of Michigan State University’s Knight Center for Environmental Journalism.

Knight Center collaboration with University of Rhode Island seeks to bring more diverse voices to science communication

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Dr. Bruno Takahashi, research lead for the SciComm Identities Project. Photo by Phoebe Neel

A recent partnership between Michigan State’s Knight Center for Environmental Journalism, the University of Rhode Island’s Metcalf Institute, and URI’s Science and Story Lab aims to expand diversity and create more inclusive spaces for the next generation of science communicators.

The SciComm Identities Project (SCIP) is a five-year project backed by $2.8 million in grant funding from the National Science Foundation. The project aims to promote racial and ethnic diversity within the field by developing science communication training that is centered on the identities, motivations, and experiences of racial and ethnic minority scientists.

While progress has been made to bring more voices into the field, historically marginalized scientists still face obstacles throughout their careers.

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Knight Center receives Mott Foundation grant to increase diversity of environmental reporters

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A lack of diverse and inclusive staff can hinder the ability of a news organization to explain environmental challenges and solutions. In Michigan, the situation is compounded by the need for more and better Great Lakes and environmental reporting by emerging journalists.

The Knight Center for Environmental Journalism at Michigan State University’s School of Journalism looks to address both concerns through a new partnership with the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. Underwritten by a $150,000 grant from Mott, the two-year project will build on the assets of the two organizations through the creation of internships, reporting positions and scholarships for tuition and professional conferences. Continue reading →

Introducing the inaugural SciComm Identities Project Fellowship cohort!

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The University of Rhode Island’s Metcalf Institute, Michigan State University’s Knight Center for Environmental Journalism, and the URI Science and Story Lab are excited to introduce the first cohort of SciComm Identities Project Fellows. Out of a competitive applicant pool, thirteen Fellows were selected to participate in this innovative science communication fellowship for pre-tenure faculty of color. The 2023 Fellowship will focus on the intersections of climate change and energy, and Fellows study issues that range from data-driven sustainable transportation to institutional barriers of energy poverty. Fellows come from diverse ethnic backgrounds ranging from Indigenous North African to Cuban, and show a strong history of personal commitment to science communication and inclusivity of underrepresented communities. Many are first-generation Americans and the first to attend college in their family.

All of the Fellows have shown a specific emphasis on improving engagement and science communication with either Black/African American, Asian, or Latinx communities, with a common theme being education and outreach to K-12 students of color. “I believe the SCIP fellowship will help me facilitate a more inclusive program of research,” says Dr. Dominic Bednar, a new Fellow and Assistant Professor at Arizona State University. “I’m interested in being a part of the future of peer-reviewed science communication products beyond academic articles that may actually reach stakeholders in the community and policy makers.” Check out the rest of the Fellows here!

DEADLINE LOOMS! Join the MSU J-School’s Environmental Solutions SWAT team and save the world

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DON’T MISS OUT!  ONE MORE DAY TO APPLY1

Get paid to tell the world’s most important stories on creative news platforms.

MSU’s Knight Center for Environmental Journalism is hiring an MSU student team to report on climate change, food systems innovation, social injustice, alternative energy, endangered wildlife, toxic air and myriads of issues that transcend every beat.

You don’t even have to like the environment – just be passionate about reporting solutions and pioneering journalism. You’ll come to love the world’s most important beat.

We’re one of eight student newsrooms in the nation that the Solutions Journalism Network chose this year to fund and train in a new way of framing stories. We have additional support to turn research by the Cooperative Institute of Great Lakes Research into environmental news stories that demand to be read.

We’re hiring writers, podcasters, TikTok producers, solution seekers, videographers and others.

Your stories will appear on the award-winning Great Lakes Echo news service, The Food Fix podcast and on Knight Center affiliated social media – including our new TikTok channel.

Reporters work regularly scheduled six to 10 hours a week. You’ll build your resume, sharpen skills and help save the world. (And did we mention we’ll pay you?)

Want in? Email Echo Editor David Poulson, poulsondavid@gmail.com, a resume, about 100 words on why you’re right for this job, example(s) of or links to your work and at least one reference with contact information. Work examples can be published or coursework.

Helpful – so mention if you have it – but not required:
• Interest in the environment
• Experience in producing any form of journalism

Required:
• Willingness to work hard and learn
• Reliability

Application deadline is 11:59 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2, 2022.