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Google bursary for aspiring investigative journalists launches at Birkbeck

Fellowship opportunity opens for students on new Investigative Reporting MA

A new Google-funded bursary has opened up at the School of Arts for the first cohort of students on Birkbeck’s new MA in Investigative Reporting.

Taking the form of partial or full fee waivers, the Google Investigative Fellowship is now open for applicants who are already enrolled on the new Master’s programme starting in September 2016 academic year. Applications must be made by 20 May2016. 

Google has provided a total of £27,000 in funding for the bursary, as part of its commitment to supporting innovative journalism training programmes

The MA Investigative Reporting brings together leading practitioners and institutions to deliver advanced training in emergent investigative and in-depth reporting skills applicable to a range of professional contexts, within and beyond journalism.

Designed and delivered at Birkbeck’s Department of Film, Media and Cultural Studies, the innovative degree will introduce students to critical theories and concepts surrounding watchdog journalism and reflect the constants that underpin investigative ethics, newsgathering and storytelling. 

It presents the opportunity to study and do investigative journalism, under the guidance of award-winning journalists and experienced academics including:

  • Ewen MacAskill (Defence and Security Correspondent, Guardian)
  • Iain Overton (Director of Policy and Investigations, Action on Armed Violence)
  • Siobhan Sinnerton (Current Affairs Commissioning Editor, Channel 4)

Dr Justin Schlosberg, programme director for the MA Investigative Reporting, said: “These inaugural fellowships offer an unrivalled opportunity for practicing or aspiring journalists to develop state of the art skills, critical thinking and produce stories under the guidance of leading figures in the world of investigative reporting. Birkbeck is uniquely suited to this kind of degree, with its evening classes designed to accommodate those with on-going professional commitments whilst offering a world class degree in the process”.

Those wishing to apply for the Google Investigative Fellowship must submit their applications to the MA Investigative Reporting programme no later than 20 May 2016. Following this, applicants will receive instructions on how to apply separately for the fellowship. Candidates will be notified of the outcome of their fellowship application by 30 June 2016.

Please note, successful candidates cannot receive the award in combination with any other fee-waiver bursary offered through Birkbeck.

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