Deadline: 30-Sep-22
The University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute is seeking applications for Blue Beat Initiative: Short Course on Marine Science Communication, free five-day in-person media training and capacity-building workshop on science and environmental journalism that will equip early to mid-career journalists with the added expertise, skills, and resources to effectively develop and report stories on science and the marine environment and popularize scientific findings for development.
Fifteen (15) journalists from each of the three island regions will undergo an intensive workshop that is designed to enhance skill sets in effective science communication through a specialized training module that endeavors to weave together the science aspects of environmental protection while putting on a premium the power of journalism in the context of the Philippines.
The ultimate vision of this project is to increase the conversation on science research and environmental issues, specifically in the marine landscape, by encouraging a more extensive media coverage of interesting discoveries and relevant scientific results, while also discussing important environmental issues.
A highlight component of the project is the production of science reports based on marine research of the UP-MSI and the immersion of the ongoing projects and assigned communities in Bolinao, Pangasinan. The journalistic outputs will be shared to their respective media outlets, as well as on the official AYEJ and UPMSI media platforms.
The Blue Beat Initiative is a project of the UP Marine Science Institute under the National Security Council funded project “Upgrading Capacity, Infrastructure, and Assets for Marine Scientific Research in the Philippines (UPGRADE CIA)” and the Association of Young Environmental Journalists (AYEJ).
What’s in it for you?
- All-expense paid trip to Bolinao, Pangasinan
- Mentorship engagement with Senior Journalists
- Training certificate with 40 training hours
- Network-building with Marine Science Experts
- By the end of the training, you will be able to:
- Understand the basic concepts of the marine environment and its current state which will equip you with the proper background and context for your writing;
- Analyze the role and significance of reporting about important scientific findings that will be shared by the general public, ushering in a more informed, technologically-conscious, and development-oriented society
- Identify relevant threats to the marine environment, ongoing environmental problems, unsustainable practices, and their impacts on society as needing media attention;
- Apply techniques in effectively reading through published research for the purposes of writing a science story;
- Demonstrate the ability to write about breakthroughs in science and research which further explain the significance of the scientific findings, its impacts and implications in the community, and help raise the people’s level of awareness for environmental concerns;
- You will also get to:
- Hone your leadership by being part of a network of environmental journalists and science communication who use the power of media and storytelling to further causes in environmental sustainability and climate action;
- Have direct access to experts and sources in the field of journalism and marine resources environment whose wisdom and expertise have changed many lives;
- Expand your network to be a member of a larger community of reporters with access to opportunities, story grants, and other training engagements.
They are looking for someone who
- Already has a minimum background or knowledge in journalism or writing (whether as a course take-up, with experience in campus journalism, or part of the campus paper, or even simply writing as a hobby or strong interest point);
- Is passionate about environmental sustainability and climate action;
- Is willing to learn more about how to effectively tell stories on environmental issues and climate change to positively impact the community.
Eligibility Criteria
- Between 20-45 years old;
- Early-career to mid-career journalists working in any journalistic medium (online, print, multimedia)
- Currently residing or working in the Philippines;
- Available to fully and actively participate in an in-person 5-day training in the UP MSI Bolinao Marine Laboratory in Bolinao, Pangasinan;
- Able to create one (1) article by the end of the training, which should be pitched and published to their own media outlet and the UP MSI and AYEJ websites.
For more information, visit https://www.msi.upd.edu.ph/Blue-Beat-Initiative