Purpose
Program Overview
Eligibility
Requirements
Mailing and Contact Information
PURPOSE
To provide print and broadcast journalists in the Middle East and Gulf region with the opportunity to increase the depth and breadth of their reporting on health care, medical and scientific developments.
To increase the number of articles, reports and news items about health, medicine and science issues relevant to the region’s population.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Fellowship program is a joint initiative of Dubai Harvard Foundation for Medical Research (DHFMR), the Harvard Medical School Office of Public Affairs and the Mohammed bin Rashid School for Communication (MBR School) at American University of Dubai.
Through the Science Writers & Journalists Fellowship Program, the Dubai Harvard Foundation for Medical research will invite 10 – 12 participants (the “Fellows”) following an application process. Ideal participants in this three-day program should be early- or mid-career science writers, medical reporters and print and broadcast journalists who cover science or medical issues.
The program’s immersion approach will enable the Fellows to interview leading Harvard Medical School and affiliated researchers, and regional researchers currently supported by DHFMR. The Fellows will discuss the process of transforming scientific research material into a prose or presentation style that will engage a lay readership and audiences and retain accuracy. |
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| 2007 Fellows: Abrar Mikkawi (Gulf Today), Nadeya Ibrahaim (Al Bayan), and Alia Al Theeb (Gulf News) |
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| 2008 Fellows: Mohammed Spartali, a journalist from Al Bayan, Dr. Ali Singel, anchor on Dubai TV, Yomna Kamel, freelance reporter |
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| Dr. Ali Singel and Dr. Sehamuddin Galadari, Assistant Dean and Associate Professor of Biochemistry, United Arab Emirates University School of Medicine, and a member of DHFMR
Scientific Advisory Committee |
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They will also develop their skills to interest media decision makers in healthcare issues, to convey credibility and expertise to their editors and to write about or present complex research and scientific subjects.
Topics covered during the program will include:
- Basic science research, translational and clinical research: how new discoveries may lead to revolutionary ideas in medicine in the future
- Clinical innovation: improvements in treatment as a result of new approaches, diagnostic techniques and the integration of different areas of care
- Regional healthcare: subjects chosen from the November 19th Challenges in Healthcare conference (development of national / regional healthcare policies in response endemic diseases and public health issues)
- Science Writing Tools and Interviewing Skills: writing about complex subject matter; choosing relevant and sometimes controversial topics; creating balance in story; using statistics to develop a point; and posing questions to scientists and healthcare administrators.
- Writing for TV and Multi-media story-telling: interpreting press releases and scientific papers into TV scripts and news bites; presenting credible, in-depth healthcare reports for consumers; developing and using blogs (and other communication vehicles)
ELIGIBILITY
Candidates must:
- be Arab-speaking science writers or journalists, writing in Arabic and / or English
- have at least three (3) years demonstrated experience in writing, reporting or broadcast journalism (radio or television), currently with some focus on medicine, medical research, healthcare or science, and a desire by the individual and their editor to increase their focus on these topics
- be in the early or mid-stage of their career, currently working in the Arabian Gulf and Middle East region
- have a good command of English
- have a degree in writing, communications, journalism or similar discipline or program
Candidates must submit:
- Application form (word document | PDF)
- CV in English
- A personal statement in English of no less than 500 words outlining their ambitions, interests, abilities, and how the Fellowship will help their career
- (writers & journalists) Two recently published articles (in English or Arabic) on a scientific or medical subject
- (broadcast journalists) Two visual samples or audio tapes of their work on a scientific or medical subject, or a visual sample or audio tape of their work, and a written sample of their work on a scientific or medical subject
- A letter of support and endorsement from their senior editor or division head
- Please also indicate areas of specific interest to you or your organization, for example: any medical, research or health-related issues; or any media-related skills that you wish to develop.
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Upon completion of the program, the Fellows will provide a full report in Arabic or English to the Dubai Harvard Foundation and to their agency or organization.
The Fellows will also be expected to send the Foundation copies of any articles published or copies of broadcast reports made as a result of the Fellowship within one year of the completing the program.
MAILING, CONTACT INFORMATION, and QUESTIONS
Jasmin Mehovic
Program Manager
Dubai Harvard Foundation for Medical Research
401 Park Drive, Suite 22 West
Boston, MA, 02215
USA
t: +1 617 998 8859
f: +1 617 384 8487
jasmin_mehovic@hms.harvard.edu
www.dhfmr.hms.harvard.edu
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