Projected Futures 4: Experimental Science Journalism Studies
International Graduate Summer School (3 credits)
July 12 -16, 2021 (synchronous online)
With mainly asynchronous online components before and after
Projected Futures 4 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. This year's school will focus on hype.
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 July 15.
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?
The school's faculty include leading science journalists and journalism educators.
Special Lecturers:
Ivan Semeniuk
Ivan Semeniuk is a science reporter for The Globe and Mail. Throughout his career as a journalist, editor, and broadcaster, he has worked for the journal Nature, New Scientist magazine and Discovery Channel, garnering several awards and nominations.
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:
Paul Gott
Lecturer, Department of Journalism
Paul Gott produced the evening news for CBC Television and Global News in Montreal for almost 20 years. He also worked as a political commentator on radio and managed a station for five years. Before than he worked in print, including editing and publishing his own music tabloid for almost a decade. He has finally found steady employment teaching at Concordia.
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
Cristina Sanza is a Digital Journalism Instructor at Concordia University, working on the Departmental magazine, The City. She has 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.
Projected Futures 4 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:
July 5-9
Convene online to explore the foundations of evidence-based science journalism and to get to know each other (mostly asynrchonous).
July 12-16
Synchronous 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.
July 15
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!).
July 16
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.
July 26-30
Course debrief online and the creation of an alumni network (mostly asynrchonous).
Tuition Waiver Awards
Top applicants are eligible for tuition waiver awards. Those interested in awards are encouraged to apply before March 29, 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
This course will take place online only, therefore students do not have to travel to Montreal.
Time Zone
While parts of this course will be asyncronous, all mandatory synchronous workshops and events scheduled will take place at Eastern Standard Time (EST).
Application Deadline: March 29, 2021
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
*May be subject to change. Tuition and fees associated with attending the 2021 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
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 5. Students will be given access to an online course platform to participate asynchronously. The first synchronous class is on July 12.
- 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 take place?
The classes will be held online, more info to come.
- 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).
Be one of the first to join a new community of students interested in fresh forms of science journalism.
Work with scholars, journalists and students to articulate, debate and project your future science stories.
Share your experiments with the science journalism community.
