Projected Futures: Experimental Science Journalism Studies

Projected Futures 5 is an intensive and experiential summer school that will challenge participants to rethink how science is communicated with society. Graduate students will be exposed to the foundations of evidence-based science journalism and then asked to experiment to create new forms of scientific storytelling.

The school issues a collaborative, experimental challenge to participants:

What plausible future do you project for science journalism?

Show us and the world in two weeks!

One of a Kind Experience
A first of its kind in the Department of Journalism, Projected Futures was designed with the World Federation of Science Journalists and the Science Writers and Communicators of Canada. Student work will be presented at a Science Journalism Summit on August 12.

Audience
Local, national and international graduate students from any discipline with an interest in new forms of scientific storytelling and interdisciplinary experimentation. Those interested in communicating about health and medicine, in particular, should apply.

Academic Leader
David M. Secko, Ph.D.
Chair of Journalism and Professor
Concordia University

What skills will you learn?

Faculty

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

Special Lecturers

More to be announced!

Roxanne Khamsi

Roxanne Khamsi is an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in publications such as The Economist, WIRED magazine and The New York Times Magazine. She has taught at Stony Brook University’s Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science and at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York.

Faculty

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
Digital Journalism Instructor, Projected Futures Coordinator, Department of Journalism
Cristina Sanza is a Digital Journalism Instructor at Concordia University, who serves as the Associate Editor of the Departmental magazine, The City, and as the department's writing coach. She previously worked as a multimedia journalist and content producer for outlets including The Review, Concordia University’s Faculty of Arts and Science and Montreal’s healthcare network.

Andrea Hunter
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. She has also been a producer, reporter, and host on morning and afternoon shows on CBC Radio One in Prince Rupert, Halifax, Vancouver, Victoria and Ottawa.

Course Structure

Projected Futures 5 is a unique, blended course that features both synchronous and asynchronous online workshops and lectures. It is an unforgettable experience.

Students will complete the following during the course:

August 1-5
Convene online to explore the foundations of evidence-based science journalism and to get to know each other (mostly asynrchonous).

August 8-10
Synchronous in-person classes begin, which examine a mixture of:

Journalism skills workshops for multimedia platforms (audio, video, photo, social media);
Theoretical examinations of models of science journalism; and
Interdisciplinary group-based mapping of science and society connections.

August 11
Teams are issued an all-day collaborative experimental challenge. The day ends with a virtual public lecture and reception with a noted science journalist (The rest and relaxation will be well earned!).

August 12
In the morning, teams present their work – a projected future – at the Science Journalism Educator Summit, an event dedicated to improving and shaping next generation science journalism education.

August 15-19
Course debrief online and the creation of an alumni network (mostly asynrchonous).

Financial Support (Tuition Waivers)

Tuition Waiver Awards

Top applicants are eligible for tuition waiver awards. Those interested in awards are encouraged to apply before May 16, 2021.

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.

Travel

More information to come.

Time Zone

While parts of this course will be asynchronous, all mandatory synchronous workshops and events scheduled will take place at Eastern Standard Time (EST).

How to Apply

Application Deadline: May 31, 2022. However, the school will accept applications post-deadline until it is full. 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

Tuition and Fees

*May be subject to change, these are 2021 rates. Tuition and fees associated with attending the 2022 International Graduate Summer School are based on the origin of the participant:

For Quebec residents: approximately CAD 360
For Canadian, non-Quebec residents: approximately CAD 900
For international students: approximately CAD 1,900 (incl. Health Insurance*)

*International students must purchase Health Insurance through Concordia’s International Student Office (ISO) at a cost of CAD 91.58

More information on fees.

FAQ

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 August 1. Students will be given access to an online course platform to participate asynchronously. The first synchronous class is on August 8.

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 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 take place?

The classes will be held at the Loyola Campus, in the CJ building, room 3.306.

What is a typical day like during Projected Futures?

During the synchronous week, 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 have?

Students will need access to the internet, a laptop or computer with audio and video capabilities, and a cell phone (that is able to capture audio, photos and videos).