Category Archives: Eric Freedman

Eric Freedman is the director of Michigan State University’s Knight Center for Environmental Journalism

Knight Center and Metcalf Institute Foster Inclusive Science Communication with Second SciComm Identities Project Cohort

The Knight Center for Environmental Journalism and the Metcalf Institute recently welcomed the second cohort of fellows for the SciComm Identities Project (SCIP). The initiative, aimed at transforming science communication training in the United States, held a week-long workshop at the University of Rhode Island (URI) main campus in South Kingstown from January 15 to 19.

The workshop brought together 14 fellows from diverse backgrounds, marking the commencement of a shared journey in science communication. The workshop focused on cultivating inclusive communication techniques and honing skills in public engagement. Throughout the week, fellows immersed themselves in the fundamental aspects of storytelling, exploring characters and narrative structures. Additionally, practical podcast planning sessions provided hands-on experience to further enrich their communication toolbox. Continue reading →

Knight Center Documentary Grant competition for 2024

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The Knight Center for Environmental Journalism will award up to 3 grants of $3,500 each to support the making of environment-related documentaries (video, audio or other digital media) by MSU faculty-student teams.

Here are the essentials

Deadline for submission: February 16, 2024, at 5 p.m.
Decisions to be announced approximately March 8, 2024.
Open to faculty and students from all departments at MSU.
Maximum award: $3,500 for 1 year.

These must be documentaries, not public service announcements or advocacy pieces.
The Knight Center for Environmental Journalism must be credited for underwriting the project.
The Knight Center will be entitled to use your documentary, including linking on our website and presentation in classes, workshops and other activities.
Allowable expenses include travel, essential equipment, supplies, pay for students and festival & competition entry fees. All expenditures must comply with MSU procedures and rules. Any equipment purchased remains the property of MSU. Grant funds must be expended with one year from the date of approval by MSU Contracts and Grants.

What to Submit:

Working title
• Medium: video, audio or other digital media
• Project summary (200 words maximum): What compelling story will you tell?
• Estimated timeline (Be realistic)
• Most likely audiences: Whom do you expect to watch or listen to it?
• For video & audio documentaries, what length do you expect the final version to be?
• Distribution plans: How will you disseminate your product?
• Budget plan: How do you plan to spend the money?
• Team members:
• Faculty: name, rank and department or school and project role, with abbreviated CV
• Students: name, year, major and project role, with resume
• Potential problems and obstacles
• Links to any relevant projects by team members or bring a CD to the Knight Center office at 382 Com Arts Building by the deadline

Email questions to Eric Freedman, Director, freedma5@msu.edu
Email submissions to Barbara Miller, mille384@msu.edu

Knight Center director speaks on newsies and music

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Professor Eric Freedman

Professor Joshua Duchan

Knight Center director Eric Freedman and Professor Joshua Duchan of the Wayne State University School of Music presented their study about the depiction of newsboys and newsgirls in sheet music between the mid-1840s and the late 1930s.

This presentation was part of the “Our Daily Work, Our Daily Lves” series sponsored by the MSU School of Human Resources & Labor Relations and the MSU Library.

Continue reading →

Lessons from the brink

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Eric Freedman

By Eric Freedman

Director, Knight Center for Environmental Journalism

There’s nothing like almost dying to wake you up to the multiple realities of America’s health care system.

I nearly died in April from a still-unidentified collapse and its complications, including pneumonia, blackouts, heavy bleeding, liver damage and ICU delirium during seven weeks at Detroit’s Henry Ford Hospital, four of them on a ventilator.

I have no memory of my first five weeks there.

When it first happened, my children and grandchildren arrived from four states, although I don’t remember their visit or their encouraging words.

For me, the experience highlighted the fragility of life and our vulnerability to sometimes-inexplicable health crises, regardless of how well we’ve taken care of ourselves: eaten – mostly – right, exercised and had regular medical exams and tests.

Beyond that, however, came deeper insights about inequities in the American medical system, starting with access to and the high cost of care.

Medical expenses can push patients and their families without good health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid or VA benefits into a devastating choice between bankruptcy on one hand and foregoing lifesaving treatment on the other hand.

Talk about sticker shock. The retail price – the bottom line – for two days at Lansing’s Sparrow Hospital, where my arduous medical journey began in the emergency department: $87,748. The ambulance transfer while I was comatose and in critical condition from Sparrow to Henry Ford Hospital’s ICU: $13,520. Continue reading →