The school's faculty include leading science journalists and journalism educators.

Keynote Speaker:

Jennifer Gardy
Jennifer Gardy is an Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia's School of Population and Public Health, a Canada Research Chair in Public Health Genomics, and a Senior Scientist at the BC Centre for Disease Control. Her research focuses on the field of communicable disease genomic epidemiology, much of it centered on tuberculosis. She has regularly appeared as a guest host of CBC’s documentary series The Nature of Things and Discovery Channel Canada’s Daily Planet. She was recognized as one of the YWCA’s 2014 Women of Distinction in the Science, Technology and Research category. She is also a mentor for young scientists interested in communicating science.

Special Lecturers:

André Picard
André Picard is the health columnist at The Globe and Mail and one of Canada’s top public policy writers. His latest book is MATTERS OF LIFE AND DEATH: Public Health Issues in Canada.

Amélie Daoust-Boisvert
Since 2008, Amélie Daoust-Boisvert has been covering political, scientific and social issues related to health at Le Devoir. She also teaches science journalism at Laval University.

Vik Adhopia
Vik Adhopia is a senior reporter with the Health Unit at CBC News in Toronto. He has previously worked as a reporter in Nunavut, Newfoundland and British Columbia. In 2001, his stories about the doctor shortage in northern B.C. won him a Jack Webster Award, one of the top journalism awards in the province.

Faculty:

Andrea Hunter
Undergraduate Program Director, Associate Professor, Department of Journalism

Andrea Hunter has worked for CBC Radio on national and regional shows for over a decade. She was a producer, on-air contributor and fill-in host of The Roundup, a daily national arts and entertainment program on CBC Radio One.

Aphrodite Salas
Assistant Professor, Department of Journalism

Aphrodite Salas is an award-winning journalist who has worked across Canada and around the world and a journalist for CTV Montreal. She also hosted her own radio show and anchored the 6 o'clock news for Global Quebec. Prior to that, she covered national politics on Parliament Hill for CityTV's Toronto and Vancouver stations.

David Secko
Chair and Professor, Department of Journalism

Now a science journalism scholar and leader of the Concordia Science Journalism Project, David Secko previously worked as a science journalist for The Scientist magazine, Vancouver’s Tyee, the Science Creative Quarterly, Canadian Medical Association Journal and the U.S. Public Library of Science (PLoS).

Cristina Sanza
Coordinator, Projected Futures 3

Cristina Sanza has worked as a writer and editor for outlets including The Review, The Concordian and Concordia University’s Faculty of Arts and Science. She currently produces multimedia content for a division of Montreal’s healthcare network. She was awarded the 2017 Gordon Fisher Prize for Journalism, given to the top Concordia Journalism graduate.

Projected Futures 3 is a unique, blended course that occurs both online and in person. It is an unforgettable experience.

Students will complete the following during the course:

July 29 – August 3
Convene online to explore the foundations of evidence-based science journalism and to get to know each other.

August 4
Students arrive in Montreal and head to Concordia University’s residence.

August 5 – 7
In person classes begin in the Department of Journalism to examine a mixture of
(i) Journalism skills workshops for multimedia platforms;
(ii) Theoretical examinations of models of science journalism; and
(iii) Interdisciplinary group-based mapping of science and society connections.

August 8
Teams are issued an all-day collaborative experimental challenge. The day ends with a public lecture and reception with noted science journalist and researcher Jennifer Gardy. (The rest and relaxation will be well earned!)

August 9
In the morning, teams present their work – a projected future – at the third edition of the Science Journalism Educator Summit, an event dedicated to improving and shaping next generation science journalism education. In the afternoon, everyone heads home.

August 12 – 15
Course debrief online and the creation of an alumni network.
 

Tuition Waiver Awards

Top applicants are eligible for tuition waiver awards. Those interested in awards are encouraged to apply before March 15, 2019. 

These awards will take into account your course of study, past accomplishments, particular career and/or research directions, as well as financial need if your home institution, affiliated research center, department or supervisor cannot support your travel or registration costs.

Awarded tuition waivers cover tuition costs and administrative fees associated with attending the International Graduate Summer School.

Accommodations and Food

Students living outside Montreal are also eligible to apply to recieve free accommodations at Concordia's Grey Nun's Residence. Priority will be given to international students and spaces are limited. 

Some breakfasts and lunches are included during the week, with the exception of Thursday lunch. Dinners will not be provided.

Travel

Please note students are responsible for their own transportation to and from Montreal. During your stay, students have free access to the Concordia shuttle, to travel from the residence to the Loyola Campus.

Application Deadline: March 15, 2019

Note that we will accept late applications based on available space. When the school is full, it will be announced on this page. 

Admission is competitive and based on demostrating your interest in the fundamentals of science journalism and new forms of scientific storytelling, as well as your past accomplishments. 

Interested students are invited to send, as a PDF:

1. A letter of intent (500 words);

This letter should cover your background, current program of study, motivation for attending the school, academic/professional interests and any other relevant information. 

2. A current CV;

3. Optional: 1-2 samples of any journalism, communication or media-related work.

Application packages and queries should be directed to:

david.secko@concordia.ca 

If you cannot find what you are looking for, please email us.

• Can I get credit for this course?

Yes, but if you are not registered at Concordia, contact us and we will work with you to provide you with all the information your home institution requires.

• When does the summer school start? 

The summer school begins online on July 29. Students will be given access to an online course platform to participate. Students from outside Montreal should arrive in town on August 4. The first in-person class is on August 5. 

• Can I apply for more funding?

Yes, you may absolutely. Funding offered for a student admitted to the school will not decrease if the student has access to other sources of financial support. However, please note that tuition waviers, in part, consider finanical need when being awarded to top applicants. 

• What is the language of instruction?

The language of instruction is English.

• I am about to start a MA or a PhD at Concordia. Can I apply to the summer school?

Yes, you can. Please contact us at david.secko@concordia.ca for more information about how to proceed.

• Can non-students apply?

Yes, you can. While designed for graduate students to enhance their studies and communication skills, those not in a graduate program can apply as non-students. 

• Where do the classes at Concordia take place? 

The classes will be held in the CJ Building on Loyola Campus.

• What is a typical day like during Projected Futures?

The first lecture/class of each day begins at 9 a.m. Students will have a lunch break from noon to 1 p.m., and have a second lecture/class from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

• What materials should I bring?

It is recommended to bring a cell phone (that is able to capture audio, photos and videos). A laptop or tablet may also be helpful, particularly for the multimedia-based workshops.