Technology Salon - Accra: How Can Drones Accelerate Ghana's Development?

RSVP now to join the next Technology Salon

How Can Drones Accelerate Ghana’s Development?



March 10th Accra Salon - RSVP Now

Ghana is making good progress toward achieving accelerated development using ICT. It is time we consider unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to circumvent key developmental challenges and accelerate the socio-economic development of the country.

UAVs do have an image problem from military uses of drones. Yet with improvements in technology and lowering cost, UAVs now have applications in development, with key roles in aerial photography and videos, remote sensing, and automated package delivery in both humanitarian response and long-term change.

Please RSVP now to join the March Technology Salon Accra where we will discuss key questions and issues surrounding the possibilities, prospect and challenges of deploying drones for development in Ghana:

• What are the prospects of drone technology for Ghana’s development?
• In what specific areas of Ghana’s developmental framework can drone technology be deployed?
• What are the challenges and regulatory issues surrounding the application of drones in Ghana
• What local research and development opportunities exist to support home-grown drone solutions?

Please RSVP now to join us and fly a drone during this Tech Salon session. We’ll have two key thought leaders to guide our discussions and lead a way forward:

   Kwamena Hazel, drone flyer for AeroShutter
   Kwami Ahiabenu, II, GIS specialist at PenPlusBytes
   Dr Amos Kabo-bah - Energy and Environmental Engineer and Ag. Head, GEONETCast Centre

Please RSVP now to join them and your esteemed peers at the next Technology Salon Accra. We’ll have hot coffee and catered breakfast treats for a morning rush, but seating is limited. Once we reach our 35-person capacity there will be a waiting list!

Drones for Ghana's Development
March Technology Salon Accra
8:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Tuesday, March 10th
New Media Hub at PenPlusBytes
No.1 Ostwe Close, Ako Adjei, Osu,
Accra, Ghana (map)
RSVP is Required

About the Technology Salon
The Technology Salon™ is an intimate, informal, and in person, discussion between information and communication technology experts and international development professionals, with a focus on both:

• technology's impact on donor-sponsored technical assistance delivery, and
• private enterprise driven economic development, facilitated by technology.

Our meetings are lively conversations, not boring presentations. Attendance is capped at 35 people - and frank participation with ideas, opinions, and predictions is actively encouraged.
It's also a great opportunity to meet others motivated to employ technology to solve vexing development problems. Join us today!

Job Opportunity : Media Capacity Development Associate

The Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) helps people to realize the benefits of their countries' endowments of oil, gas and minerals. We do this through technical advice, advocacy, applied research, policy analysis, and capacity development. We work with innovative agents of change within government ministries, civil society, the media, legislatures, the private sector, and international institutions to promote accountable and effective governance in the extractive industries. For more information, please see www.resourcegovernance.org.

Good governance of oil, gas and mining resources and the revenues they generate requires effective oversight. An active, knowledgeable media plays a critical role in helping inform and engage the public, citizen groups and parliaments and thus help them hold government and companies accountable. NRGI currently offers training and related professional support to journalists in selected countries to improve their ability to report about oil, gas and minerals under the program for strengthening media oversight of the extractive sectors.

DESCRIPTION

NRGI seeks a full-time Media Capacity Development Associate preferably to be based in Accra, Ghana.

Reporting to the Program Officer for Media Capacity Development, the Program Associate will provide administrative and programmatic support to the management and implementation of media project activities with primary, but not exclusive, focus on programming in selected Anglophone African countries. These include Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Country-level activities are primarily implemented by local partners, with guidance and support from NRGI. Working in tandem with the Program Officer, the Associate will ensure close coordination with partners to harmonize planning and monitor activities against agreed work plans and budgets. He/she will support efforts to evaluate progress as well as to document and facilitate the sharing of lessons, experiences, and practices across countries.

The media program is designed to be responsive to the changing and emerging needs of and challenges facing journalists, the media industry, and the extractive sector. The position will therefore require familiarity with the African media landscape and competence in basic research and analytical skills to be able to discern and document trends in media coverage of oil, gas and minerals and extractive journalism generally.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Conduct routine background and operational research on media development and training practices to inform NRGI's programming;

Track and monitor the coverage of extractive issues by the media in NRGI's priority and limited-engagement countries in Anglophone Africa;

Contribute to the development, and lead on the implementation of, the methodology for curating news and stories on extractives by current and previous NRGI training beneficiaries and participating media houses;

Support the management of relationships with local partner organizations and grantees to ensure coordinated planning, harmonization of activities, and successful grant-making;

Manage relationships with alumni of NRGI's media program to foster ongoing engagement and continuous learning;

Gather, archive, and keep a record of all training materials including the management of access to proprietary content;

Support the planning and organization of program events;

Collect and disseminate news and information about the media program's activities and act as the program's liaison with NRGI's communications team.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in journalism, media, communication or related fields in the social sciences, humanities, and international development;

At least two years of substantive experience related to media capacity development;

Ability to deal with staff, partners, and beneficiaries in remote locations at multiple levels of intervention (global, regional and national);

Some familiarity with the latest thinking in the field of media development and a host of capacity development approaches relevant to the needs of early- to mid-career journalists;

Knowledge of key organizations and networks active in the field of media capacity development and extractive sector governance is desirable;

Background knowledge of extractive sector governance issues is desirable;

Experience in using ICTs for capacity development is highly desirable;

Fluency in English is a must; fluency in another language of relevance to the Africa region will be an added advantage.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Project management skills, including ability to multi-task, work efficiently in a fast-paced environment, troubleshoot and follow projects through to completion, with strict deadlines and without loss of attention to detail, budget and reporting;
Excellent written, verbal, organizational, analytical and interpersonal skills;
Excellent computer skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office;
Good listening and communication skills with sensitivity to cultural differences;
Ability to work effectively as a team member and independently, with a high-level of self-motivation and ability to set and meet goals;
Discretion and ability to handle confidential issues.
SALARY AND CONTRACT:

A term based full time post initially for one year, subject to satisfactory performance. Salary is commensurate with experience.

START DATE:

As soon as possible.

LOCATION:

Accra, Ghana

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

Please email by 13 March 2015 an application letter stating your salary requirements and provide your CV with names of three referees to: africatemprwi@resourcegovernance.org

Send the application letter and CV in one PDF document as an attachment.

Use Media Capacity Development Associate as the subject line of your email.


http://www.resourcegovernance.org/news/job-media-capacity-development-associate

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International Institute for ICT Journalism
www.penplusbytes.org

Penplusbytes New Media Hub hosts DRILLING DOWN: Ghana extractives data dive

In order for Journalists in Ghana to play a better watchdog role through generating data driven stories on the extractive sectors, the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), the School of Data, African Spending and Penplusbytes, is running “DRILLING DOWN: Ghana extractives data dive” training from the 25th – 27th February, 2015 at Penplusbytes’ ultra-modern New Media Hub in Accra.

The participants for this 3-day data dive are all alumni of  “Strengthening Media Oversight of the Extractive Sectors” program, drawn from various media organizations in Ghana including Daily Guide, Radio max, The Sun, Joy FM, B&FT, New Crusading Guide, Daily Graphic, GBC, Public Agenda, Citi FM, The Enquirer, The Finder, Radio Max, and Ghana News Agency (GNA).

Building on the knowledge and skills of the extractive sector, the participants are excited about the opportunity to hold public officials to account by producing data driven stories which are supported by solid evidence culminating in greater oversight of prudent utilisation of mining, oil and gas revenue and resources.

The data dive will take participant through topics such as overview of Ghana’s extractive Sector, Understanding what Open Data is, Understanding information and data needs of the sector, Using data for extractives stories within the Ghana context, How to prepare and manage a data journalism project as well as Skills in managing a data project.  The participants are expected to find stories in data, data cleaning and finally generating a data driven story at the end of the day.

According to Samuel Bekoe, Anglophone Africa Regional Associate at NRGI, “the training, with the support of Omidyar Network, forms part of the Institute’s CODEX project ("Catalyzing Open Data for Extractives") which aims to increase the use of extractive industry data to improve linkages between extractive revenues and human development outcomes.”

Participants will learn to use data tools; working on actual extractives data from Ghana. They will pursue ideas for data analysis and will receive support and guidance from the trainers. The final day training will have participants take a short test to demonstrate their acquired data skills on the data tools used during the training. After the data drive, participants are able to apply for story bursaries to generate data driven extractive stories and assigned a mentor to assist them in navigating extractive sector data driven stories approach.

ABOUT

Penplusbytes is a leading organization in Africa working in 3 areas: governance and accountability, new media and innovations as well as oil, gas and mining.

The Natural Resource Governance Institute is a non-profit policy institute and grantmaking organization that promotes effective, transparent and accountable management of oil, gas and mineral resources for the public good.

APPLY NOW: Penplusbytes New Media Certificate Training Course

The International Institute of ICT Journalism, Penplusbytes, is pleased to announce Accelerated Certificate Course in New media, scheduled from 11th to 12th of March, 2015 at the New Media Hub in Osu, Ako-Adjei, Accra.

The two day training course is aimed at increasing the number as well as the capacity of online content managers in order for them to leverage the opportunities of new digital technologies for better results. New Media content will be made up of theoretical and practical components with a clear focus on imparting measurable skills which course participants can take back and integrate in their online information dissemination strategies for successful implementation.

The advancement of ICT tools and the advent of the internet have democratized news information flow which would previously be controlled by traditional media including newspapers, magazines, radio, and television. New media has - and continues to - change the way in which most businesses operate. Unlike the one-way communication paths displayed by “old media” formats such as television, radio and paper-based publications, new media technology is both digital and interactive.

This ground breaking course is targeted at Public Relations managers, persons working in Communications, media persons, journalists and editors, and allied professionals who stand to benefit from an exceptional opportunity to develop their capacity and to acquire International standard training in this new and exciting area.

Course participants will learn more about how to write and edit for the web, social media strategies and monetisation of online content through the “how to make money online” segment. The course would be delivered via face to face means, with an online tutorial component which is expected to give participants additional learning opportunity. Also participants would be expected to undertake a project work to show and tell key lessons learnt during the course.

New media course is also open to government ministries, department and agencies in order for them to manage their online and social media content effectively and efficiently while staying abreast with new development and trends in the online New Media ecosystem.

ABOUT

Penplusbytes is a leading organization in Africa, established in 2001 and working in 3 areas: the use of technology to drive governance and accountability, new media and innovations as well as oil, gas and mining.

 

 

 

Bond College Journalism Scholarships for International Students

The International Student Scholarships are a testament to Bond University’s commitment to quality and outstanding international students. These scholarships are available to international students who have demonstrated outstanding academic ability (academic merit based scholarships).
Value

• 25% to 50% of tuition fees of any undergraduate or postgraduate degree (excluding Bond University's Medical Program, Master of Psychology, Doctor of Physiotherapy)

Availability

• 10 x 25% scholarships annually
• 10 x 50% scholarships annually

Eligibility

• Available for international students only, for undergraduate or postgraduate study.
• Applicants must currently be or have previously been in the top 5% of their high school or university class.
• Students will be selected for scholarships based on outstanding academic ability. In addition, demonstrated strong leadership skills and extensive involvement in extracurricular activities will also be considered.
• Students whose first language is not English must refer to and meet Bond University’s standard. English entry requirements for undergraduate applicants.
• English entry requirements for postgraduate applicants.

Selection Criteria

Successful applicants will be awarded these scholarships based on their ability to meet the eligibility criteria outlined

Application Submission

All international students who have made an application to study at Bond University (by the scholarship closing date for each semester) will be considered for an International Student Scholarship.
It is recommended that when students complete a Bond University Application Form, they submit a personal statement (outlining why you should be awarded a Bond scholarship), references, resume and certified copies of other relevant documentation to assist in supporting your application.
As part of the selection process, all shortlisted applicants will be required to participate in a telephone interview.
Selections for each intake of scholarship students are assessed based on academic merit. Should your submission not be successful at the time of application, your details will be reassessed for future semester intakes up until the point of acceptance.
Please note: Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for an interview. If you are not contacted for an interview by the dates stated in the general information above, then you can assume you have been unsuccessful in your application. Students will not be notified of their unsuccessful application in writing.
International Student Scholarship application closing dates for each semester in 2015 are highlighted below:

Semester	Scholarship Application Closing Date	Winners Announced
January 2015	September 19, 2014	End of October 2014
May 2015	January 23, 2015	End of March 2015
September 2015	TBC	TBC
January 2016	TBC	TBC

2015 Knight-Risser Prize for Western Environmental Journalism

The Knight-Risser Prize for Western Environmental Journalism recognizes the best environmental reporting on the North American West — from Canada through the United States to Mexico. The annual Knight-Risser Prize Symposium brings journalists, researchers, scholars, and policy-makers together with public audiences to explore new ways to ensure that sophisticated environmental reporting thrives in the West.

Eligibility and How to Enter

The Knight-Risser Prize is given for journalism in any media that best illuminates an environmental issue or story in western Canada, the United States or Mexico. Entries are not limited to journalists from western news organizations.

The Knight-Risser prize places a premium on stories that expose undiscovered or covered-up problems, explain detailed solutions in ways that can be put to use, and help readers understand the broader significance of the issues being covered, beyond the immediate details of the stories at hand.
The North American West, for the purposes of this award, includes the United States west of the Mississippi River, Canada west of Ontario, including Nunavut, and all of Mexico.

Eligibility and Selection

Journalists working for U.S., Canadian or Mexican newspapers, magazines, television, radio, and online sites accessible to the general public are eligible to apply, as are freelancers.
Those whose work appears in publications or programs connected to government agencies, advocacy organizations, or to business or trade organizations with a financial stake in environmental issues, are not eligible.
Entries must be predominantly about an environmental subject occurring in or affecting the North American West, and must have been published, broadcast or posted during the calendar year of the current prize. Series that began in one year and ended in another are eligible but may be entered only once.
The Knight-Risser Prize administrators and steering committee are the final authority for determining whether an entry is eligible. The entry fee of any entrant deemed ineligible will be refunded.
Instructions and an online entry form are now available for the 2015 Knight-Risser Prize. The deadline for entries to be submitted is Sunday, March 15, 2015.

The MBL (Marine Biological Laboratory) Logan Science Journalism Program

The Logan Science Journalism Program at the MBL, founded in 1986, offers professional science journalists, writers, editors, and broadcast journalists a chance to forget about story deadlines and immerse themselves in the process of basic biomedical and environmental research. Room, board, lab fees, and U.S. travel are covered for accepted fellows.

The Choice Is Yours: The program offers journalists the choice between two introductory intensive courses:

For Science/Health Journalists:
2015 Biomedical Hands-On Research Course
MBL, Woods Hole, Massachusetts

For Environmental Journalists:
2015 Environmental Hands-On Research Course
MBL, Woods Hole, and Plum Island Long Term Ecological Research site, Plum Island, Mass.

A limited number of fellowships are available for 2015. Applicants must be professional science journalists, writers, editors, or producers with at least three years experience. Preference will be given to print, online or broadcast journalists with staff positions, although freelancers will be considered.Staff seniority is not a criterion. A basic knowledge of biological principles and methods is advantageous, but is not essential.
Journalists who previously participated in the Biomedical Hands-On Research Course are eligible to apply for the Environmental Hands-On Research Course.  Journalists who previously participated in the Environmental Hands-On Research Course are eligible to apply for the Biomedical Hands-On Research Course.

Applications from minority group members are strongly encouraged.

2015 Program Dates: May 27 – June 5
Application Deadline: March 2
Apply Here

What the USA FAA's newly proposed drone rules mean to journalists

It will months, maybe years, before journalists can legally fly unmanned drone aircraft to capture video and photos.  But Sunday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) took another step toward issuing new rules that allow for legal commercial drone use.

The FAA and the U.S. Department of Transportation propose that drone operators will not have to hold a pilot’s license. That was a suggestion by some who wanted drone operators to understand air safety as well as an airplane pilot. There may be different licenses for people flying aircraft weighing more than 55 pounds.

The proposed new rule would require unmanned aircraft operators to register their aircraft with the FAA, obtain an “unmanned operator certificate” and also have to undergo a Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) background check. The FAA said the certificates would be “widely available at local testing centers” and would have to be renewed every two years. Licensed aircraft pilots would still need to have certificates to fly drones.

The proposed rule also requires drone operators fly their aircraft below 500 feet.

The FAA and the Department of Transportation said it is considering additional less stringent rules for small aircraft weighing less than 4.4 pounds.

The government release said:

Under the proposed rule, the person actually flying a small UAS would be an “operator.” An operator would have to be at least 17 years old, pass an aeronautical knowledge test and obtain an FAA UAS operator certificate. To maintain certification, the operator would have to pass the FAA knowledge tests every 24 months. A small UAS operator would not need any further private pilot certifications (i.e., a private pilot license or medical rating).

The new rule also proposes operating limitations designed to minimize risks to other aircraft and people and property on the ground:

    •    A small UAS operator must always see and avoid manned aircraft. If there is a risk of collision, the UAS operator must be the first to maneuver away.

    •    The operator must discontinue the flight when continuing would pose a hazard to other aircraft, people or property.

    •    A small UAS operator must assess weather conditions, airspace restrictions and the location of people to lessen risks if he or she loses control of the UAS.

    •    A small UAS may not fly over people, except those directly involved with the flight.

    •    Flights should be limited to 500 feet altitude and no faster than 100 mph.

    •    Operators must stay out of airport flight paths and restricted airspace areas, and obey any FAA Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs).

The public has 60 days to comment on the proposed rules. Here are the FAA’s proposed points.

Mickey H. Osterreicher, legal counsel for the National Press Photographers Association said, “We are really pleased that they approached this in a much more common sense and less burdensome way than we were afraid they were going to.” He added, “These are rules that people will want to abide by and follow. We were worried they would require a pilot’s license and medical exam.”

Osterreicher said he is not worried about the requirement that photographers would need a certificate to fly a drone. “I don’t think anybody has a problem with a photographer having to have a driver’s license to drive a car to an assignment,” he said. “I think these drones will be invaluable. It is just another tool for us, but an important one to tell stories. When you get to higher ground to get a better perspective, it is valuable to photography.”

Matthew Waite, the founder of the Drone Journalism Lab at the University of Nebraska told Poynter.org by email:

“Other than a few twists and turns aside, the rules outlined today seem shockingly sensible,” Matthew Waite, the founder of the Drone Journalism Lab at the University of Nebraska said in an email. “Not requiring a manned aircraft license, not requiring airworthiness certificates, it all seems much better than I expected it to be for journalists wanting to use drones in the near future. We still have to wait 12-24 months for these to become final rules, but I’m more hopeful today than I have been in months. There’s some issues that I have some questions about — operating in restricted airspace requires Air Traffic Control contact, for instance. What does that mean? Radio? A phone call? It makes a huge difference. But this is better than I think any of us were expecting given how the agency has dealt with UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) up to this point.”

 

But Waite says the licensing of drone operation could cause troubles:

“The guy who crashed his drone on the White House lawn tells you that there’s a security issue here…you have to expect people to push background checks and security clearances. But I can see all kinds of room for abuse here. History is loaded with examples of journalists getting extra attention from government security services, and that makes me nervous.”

This is just part of the ten-year journey the FAA has taken to draft rules that would allow everyone from journalists to police, oil platforms and movie companies to use drone photography while keeping the skies safe for manned aircraft and the public below. The rules that would require line-of-sight flying would be a troublesome for companies dreaming of using drones to deliver packages.

Journalists may think of drones as a great way to get photos and videos without hiring a helicopter, but the implications of this rule go far beyond journalism. The AP summarized the FAA’s economic analysis of the business at hand:

It notes that between 2004 and 2012, there were 95 fatalities involving climbers working on cell and other towers.

If the rules would prevent only one fatality by using a small drone instead of a tower climber, the $9.2 million saved — the amount the government says is the economic value of a single life — would exceed the entire cost of the regulations to society, according to the document.

The analysis does not offer a total estimate on the annual economic benefit of regulations, but says it would exceed $100 million a year. For example, about 45,000 annual bridge inspections could be conducted with small drones. Most bridge inspections currently employ hydraulic mobile cranes called “snoopers.” The average cost of an inspection using a snooper is $3,250. Cable bridge inspections are even more expensive because they often require a 200-foot aerial lift.

Where do journalists stand now?

Until any new rule is enacted, journalists’ drones are grounded unless you get specific permission to fly. That permission, so far, has been hard to get and when the government does grant permission it is loaded with rules. For example, an Arizona realtor got an exemption and it included 33 specific FAA requirements. The drone pilot must have a pilot’s license, the airspeed is limited to 30 knots (34 mph) must fly within sight of the operator and not fly higher than 300 feet.

“Bear in mind. This is step one of day one of the process,” said Waite. “These rules will not become final for at least — in the greatest of all possible worlds where we all win Powerball simultaneously — 12 months and possibly more than two years if all goes terribly wrong. If you’re a news director or a photo editor or a freelancer, don’t go buying a drone today thinking you’ll get to use it legally tomorrow.”

From FAA.gov

The current unmanned aircraft rules remain in place until the FAA implements a final new rule. The FAA encourages new operators to visit:

    •    http://www.knowbeforeyoufly.org

    •    You can view the FAA’s Small UAS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking later today.

    •    An overview of the Small UAS rule

    •    Overview of Small UAS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

    •    View the fact sheet

    •    More information on the FAA and UAS

 

 

 

 

http://www.poynter.org/news/mediawire/320079/what-the-faas-newly-proposed-drone-rules-mean-to-journalists/

Knight-Bagehot Fellowships

The Knight-Bagehot Fellowship in Economics and Business Journalism offers qualified journalists the opportunity to enhance their understanding and knowledge of business, economics and finance in a year-long, full-time program administered by the journalism school. Fellows take courses at Columbia's graduate schools of journalism, business, law and international affairs; participate in off-the-record seminars and dinner meetings with corporate executives, economists and academics; and attend briefings and field trips to New York-based media companies and financial institutions.

The program is designed to meet the public interest in business and economics news and the demand for trained editors and reporters in the field. In scope and depth, it is considered the most comprehensive business journalism fellowship in the country. Eligible Knight-Bagehot fellows may qualify for a Master of Science degree in journalism upon completion of this rigorous program.

Conducted during Columbia’s academic year from August through May, the fellowship accepts up to 10 fellows each year. Fellows receive free tuition plus a stipend to offset living expenses in New York City. For the 2016 academic year, a stipend of $55,000 will be granted to each fellow. Housing is available in a Columbia-affiliated facility.

The fellowship is named for the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, of Miami, which has established an endowment for the program; and Walter Bagehot, the 19th-century editor of The Economist. The Knight Foundation has been the principal sponsor of the fellowship since 1987. The program also depends on grants from a number of other charitable foundations, corporations and publishing organizations for a portion of its annual budget.

The fellowship’s sponsors have no role in the selection of fellows or the organization of the fellowship’s curriculum, which are controlled by the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

Eligibility Requirements

The fellowship is open to full-time editorial employees of newspapers, magazines, wire services, and broadcast news organizations as well as to freelance journalists. Applicants must have at least four years' experience. There are no academic prerequisites. Though some attempt is made to achieve a diversity of backgrounds, the affiliation of applicants is not a factor in the selection process. Journalists from nationally known organizations are not given preference over those from smaller regional media. 

The chief criterion for selection is demonstrated journalistic excellence. While essays and letters of recommendation are important parts of the application, the greatest weight is given to work samples. Clippings and tapes need not cover business subjects, and applicants do not have to be business specialists. All materials, including letters of reference, college transcripts, essays and work samples, should be compiled and submitted with an online application form.

The program permits fellows to make whatever arrangements are deemed appropriate. Though applicants' employers, except under unusual circumstances, should submit a letter supporting the application, applicants are not required to obtain formal employer approval. While the program recognizes fellows' desire to advance their careers, it urges them to return to their current employers at the end of their year at Columbia.

Fellowships are announced by May 1. The number of fellowships awarded each year, as well as the level of the living-expenses stipend, is determined by the program's financial resources. For the academic year, which begins mid-August 2015 and ends late May 2016, we anticipate awarding ten fellowships of full tuition plus a $55,000 stipend each.

Apply HERE

---

Contact

Terri Thompson
Director, Knight-Bagehot Fellowship
Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
2950 Broadway
New York, NY 10027
(212) 854-2711
tat5@columbia.edu

APPLY NOW: 2015 School of Humanities Honours Scholarship

The School of Humanities offers an annual scholarship to Humanities Honours candidates on both the Gold Coast and Nathan campus

.

The School of Humanities Honours Scholarship is available to highly motivated students who have recently completed their undergraduate degree in Arts, Communication or Journalism and have an interest in pursuing research in Arts, Communication or Journalism.

Students will need to be enrolled in, or eligible for admission into either of the following Honours programs for 2015:

• Bachelor of Arts with Honours (2005/2007),
• Bachelor of Journalism with Honours (2104), or
• Bachelor of Communication with Honours (2105).

Students will be expected to meet the enrolment requirements for

Honours in the School of Humanities and have identified a principal supervisor from within the School.

Each Scholarship is valued at $ 3000, cash payment to be made in two installments of $1500 per semester

.

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for the School of Humanities Honours Scholarship a candidate must:

· have recently completed an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline

· have achieved a minimum GPA of 6.0 in their second and third year courses undertaken during their undergraduate study

·Students will need to be enrolled in, or eligible for admission into either of the following Honours programs for 2015:

i)Bachelor of Arts with Honours (2005/2007),

ii)Bachelor of Journalism with Honours (2104), or

iii)Bachelor of Communication with Honours (2105).

·be an Australian citizen or have permanent resident status

The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of Grade Point Average (GPA)

.

For further enquiries:

Email: scholarships@griffith.edu.au

Web: www.griffith.edu.au/scholarships

Telephone: 07 3735 7974

Applications must be lodged by 5.00pm, 27 February 2015

Job Opening at Penplubytes for a Political/Governance Analyst

Position Title:  Political/Governance Analyst
Position Number:  PPB20151
Announcement Date:  15 February 2015
Deadline for applications:  20th February 2015 
Position Start Date:  1st March 2015 –  31st February 2016
Job Location: Greater Accra, Ghana with occasional travels
Organisation : Penplusbytes

BACKGROUND

The International Institute for ICT Journalism - Penplusbytes (www.penplusbytes.org) is a leader in new media and innovations; mining, oil and gas and the use of new digital technologies to promote good governance and democracy. It is seeking Political Governance Analysts to support roll out of projects under its tech and governance program.

RESPONSIBILITIES 
Under close supervision by the Programs Director, the political/governance analyst will lead with various research works leading to insights, policy recommendations and evidence to drive effective advocacy.

Responsibilities:

• Identify good governance, transparency and accountability key issues for research and analysis in line with program objectives.
• Review, synthesize and analyze academic, scientific, private and public sector research and reports relevant for Penplusbytes line of programs
• Monitor existing and developing change leaders at local and national level to improve analytical capacity related to mapping emerging leadership.
• Conduct primary research in line of Penplusbytes programs
• Gather and organize data / qualitative insights to fed Penplusbytes information and knowledge management system
• Produce intelligence products to meet planned or tasked information and knowledge management requirements
• Interpret and forecast key trends related to good governance, transparency and accountability issues and their relationship to technology.
• Identify policy strategies in support of Penplusbytes program goals
• Work with Communications department to increase awareness of Penplusbytes policy work and goals including providing media commentary.
• Support organising policy events
• Assist in training and mentoring teams and interns
• Assist with online and social media platform management of the platform
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS 
Qualifications for this position include:

1. Aminimum of a Masters Degree in Political Science or related qualification
2. At least 2-3 year of overall professional experience
3. Ability to generate thorough and completed research products that may require only minor revisions and/or editing.
4. Highly professional and reliable, able to work independently and without close supervision while adhering to strict deadlines.
5. Technology savvy with experience and knowledge of citizens’ engagement
6. A successful track record in setting priorities; organization and problem solving skills which support timely research output generation.
7. Excellent communication and relationship building skills with an ability to prioritize, negotiate, and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders
8. Goal-oriented, continuously seeks new ways to achieve a desired outcome.
9. Exceptional team player and ability to multi task
10. Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and dedication to the mission of ensuring greater citizens participation in governance process

TO APPLY 
To apply for this position, send your resume and a cover letter that clearly discusses your experience and its applicability to the position to staff@penplusbytes.org . Your email must include the position title and position number in the email subject line. The application deadline for this position is February 28th 2015.

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted. We thank all applicants.

African Journalist Study Programme – Workshop in Nairobi 2015: Fahamu Emerging Powers in Africa project

Media professionals in print, broadcast, radio and online platforms as well as freelance reporters based in Africa are encouraged to apply for the workshop. Lecturers from journalism schools and media programmes in Africa may also apply - Deadline: 20 February 2015

Fahamu’s Emerging Powers in Africa project will be conducting a three-day Journalist capacity building workshop in Nairobi. The workshop seeks to strengthen the voice of African media on investigating and reporting the impact that emerging actors (including China, India, Brazil, South Korea and Turkey) have on Africa’s external engagements and development landscape.

1. Introduction 
Africa’s relationship with the emerging powers from the Global South has received considerable media focus, most notably China. Even where Africa media has sought to develop a continental perspective, the narrative of western views and opinions has largely influenced this outlook. As such there is a growing need for an independent inquiry and investigation into the engagement of the Emerging Actors footprint in Africa by African media sources. Of key interest is the necessity to examine how these emerging powers define their role and stakes in aid, bilateral trade, investment and diplomatic ties with African states. More importantly, there is also overwhelming need for African media to be able to hold these emerging actors as well as African governments accountable to the obligations and action plans signed in bilateral and multilateral agreements, like the FOCAC Plan of Action and the India-Africa Action Plan.

In view of the above, Fahamu’s Emerging Powers in Africa project is issuing a call for applications for a journalist capacity building workshop to be hosted in Nairobi from 15-17 March 2015. The workshop will seek to assist media practitioners with important insights and reporting techniques regarding the general coverage of the emerging powers’ footprint in Africa and more specifically how to evaluate outcomes from meetings like the India-Africa Forum Summit and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit, which are scheduled to be hosted in 2015.

FOCAC and the India-Africa Forum Summit will inform the workshop in terms of how African media understand and measure Africa’s relations with these actors’ vis-à-vis perceptions from international media. Furthermore the workshop will nurture the development of more nuanced insights into how ordinary African citizens inform their views about these emerging powers. Within this context the need for greater collaboration and interaction amongst African journalists for analysis, interrogation and investigation will become ever more pertinent.

Five successful applicants will be chosen to participate in the programme that aims to:
 
- Strengthen the capacity of African media commentators;
- Facilitate greater understanding of perceptions of the emerging powers in Africa, and vice versa;
- Expand on knowledge amongst African media of the emerging powers’ political, economic, societal and media footprint across the continent;
-Create an opportunity for African media organisations and journalism schools to develop long-term relationships, collaborations and exchanges between themselves

- Provide a platform to facilitate the implementation of capacity building projects and greater media coverage amongst African media on the activities of the emerging powers in Africa; and
- Include greater media participation in discussions and advocacy in Africa about the role of the emerging powers in Africa

2. Call for Applications
Media professionals in print, broadcast, radio and online platforms as well as freelance reporters based in Africa are encouraged to apply for the workshop. Lecturers from journalism schools and media programmes in Africa may also apply. Applicants must:

- Provide frequent reports to their national, regional, or local print media, radio, television channels or online fora on topics related to the engagement between African countries and the emerging powers. In the case of individuals from journalism schools or training programmes at a higher education institution issues related to the emerging powers in Africa must demonstrate how this will improve their curriculum development;

- Have at least 8- 10 years experience as a journalist or teaching in the profession;
- Be fluent in English;
- Have a valid passport and comply with their country's visa criteria for travel to Kenya;
- Be able to attend the workshop on the proposed dates.

The following costs will be reimbursed:
- Return ticket, economy class to Nairobi
- Accommodation in Nairobi for the duration of study tour,
- Visa costs,
- Meals and transport for duration of study tour.

Applications close on 20 February 2015 and successful applicants will be notified in the first week of March 2015. Late submissions and incomplete applications will NOT be accepted.

3. Requirements
All applications are to be submitted electronically and must include:
- A current resume including professional work history;
- A brief proposal in English outlining a story you wish to cover in Africa related to specifically the India-Africa Forum Summit and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) that will be of interest to your target audience;
- A letter of recommendation from your organisation head/faculty head. If journalist applicants are not employed directly through a media organisation, please provide a letter of support from the organisation to which you are affiliated, including your relationship to the organisation;
- A letter, signed by your (affiliate) organisation or faculty head, motivating how participation in the training workshop will benefit your professional work and the work of your organisation. This should include an action plan detailing how your experience in the workshop will be incorporated into further capacity building and knowledge development within your organisation/journalism school in the three months following completion of the training workshop;
- Provide samples of three professional pieces of written work/manuscripts that have been printed or broadcast in the last 12 months; or an outline of courses taught;

Please ensure that all documents are compressed and/or zipped in compressed files to ensure all applications can be uploaded.

Applications must be submitted in English

4. Concluding Remarks
A contract will be signed between Fahamu and participants in order to fulfil the following obligations:
- Produce at least 2 commentary pieces for the Fahamu Emerging Powers in Africa Newsletter on India/China-Africa relations in the run up to and following the two Summits;
- Make at least 3 regular contributions on civil society perspectives for publication in the Fahamu Emerging Powers in Africa Newsletter on topics agreed with Fahamu.

Applications should be sent to emerging-powers@fahamu.org 
Deadline: 20 February 2015
For further information please contact Sanusha Naidu: Sanusha@fahamu.org Or Edwin Rwigi: Edwin@fahamu.org *
Fahamu (www.fahamu.org) is committed to serving the needs of organisations and social movements that aspire to progressive social change and that promote and protect human rights. Fahamu has extensive experience in distance learning for human rights organisations.

The Fellowship in Global Journalism

Applications are open now and will close on February 20, 2015. We will interview a short-list of candidates by phone, and will advise successful candidates of their selection in April 2015.

Admission Requirements

We are recruiting only 20 Fellows from around the world—and we’re seeking something different than conventional journalism programs:

• Specialization
• The relevant graduate degree, professional degree or work experience to report knowledgeably on any specialty. If in doubt, please send us your application anyway.
• Prior experience as a journalist is NOT necessary, but some specific qualities are: Read Qualifications to understand the kind of personality we’re seeking.
• Written and spoken fluency in English.

Application Procedure and Materials

Once you have read Qualifications, and have decided to apply for this program, please follow the following three steps carefully.
1. Because of the limited number of spots available, please e-mail us before you begin your application to tell us you will be applying. Please send that e-mail to munk.journalism@utoronto.ca, under the subject line: “last name, first initial prepping application”. (e.g. Smith, J prepping application)

2. Please complete all of the following materials by February 20, 2015 and submit all of it as attachments or links, by e-mail, to munk.journalism@utoronto.ca. Please use the subject line “last name, first initial application”. (If you are sending materials in more than one e-mail, please indicate the order using the following format in your subject-line, eg: “last name, first initial application 1/2”; “last name, first initial application 2/2”). Please name all files with your last name, first initial and the subject. (e.g. Smith_J_resume.pdf, Smith_J_transcripts.pdf, etc.)

• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Official Academic Transcripts and/or Professional Designation. (PDF scan)
  Official transcripts of your academic record from each university attended and/or an official record of your professional designation are required for admission. Please either scan or take a screen shot of your transcripts and/or designations, and attach them to the application. Applicants who attended universities outside North America must provide notarized English translations to accompany all documentation not written in English.
• Two Story Proposals
  Please identify two important stories in your field that have not received enough media coverage. Pitch each of those stories in a separate 200-word proposal, indicating why the story is important and some evidence for the story you are proposing.
• One Fully-Reported Story, with visual treatment
  Please report one of the stories, in written form. Please do not write an opinion-piece; we’d like to see a clear story that is well researched and reported, and that includes information obtained through on-the-record interviews with sources. 800-1000 words. (Stories that exceed this length will not be read.) In addition to the article, please include a brief written description of how you would treat this story in video / broadcast form. Specifically: what characters, what imagery and what narrative arc would best deliver this story to a viewer.
• Additional Communications Examples
  Please provide up to three other examples of your past writing or communications products in any format, including: blogs, articles, papers, video or audio. If you tweet, please tell us your handle.
• Personal Essay
  Why are you interested in this program, and what path—through your life and career—has brought you to the point where you wish to apply for it? (500 words)
• Video Statement
  Please record a maximum 60 second video of yourself explaining the path you hope your career will take after completing this program. Please post this at an on-line video-service like YouTube and include the link in your e-mail to us.
• Statement of Integrity
• Please print, sign, date and scan the following statement:
  “I hereby certify that the information presented in my application is accurate, complete and honestly presented. I authorize the Fellowship in Global Journalism at the Munk School of Global Affairs to verify any aspect of my application and/or my credentials for admission. I understand and agree that any inaccurate information, misleading information, or omission will be cause for the rescission of any offer of admission, or for discipline or dismissal if discovered at a later date. This application is my own, honest statement to the Selection Committee for The Fellowship in Global Journalism.”

3. Three letters of recommendation are required, from referees who are familiar with your academic and/or professional work.

• Please have your referees e-mail their letters directly to us at munk.journalism@utoronto.ca, using the subject line “candidate’s lastname, candidate’s first initial—reference”.
• Your referees should attest to your knowledge of your subject matter and their experience of the personal qualities we expect in a Fellow (Please see Qualifications)

Online Editors - Ghana formed: Calls for Ethics to Streamline Online news management

The International Institute of ICT Journalism, Penplusbytes, on Wednesday, February 4th, as part of its mission of improving the quality of journalism using new digital technologies, facilitated the formation of Online Editors Ghana; a network of online news leaders in Ghana committed to promoting quality journalism and maintaining high ethical standards that govern online news ecosystem.

The network’s formation is the outcome of a unanimous agreement of 20 online news editors who were present at the one-day “Strategic Briefing for Newsroom Online Editors,” organised by Penplusbytes at its New Media Hub in Accra with the key objective of creating a unified platform to connect, inspire and share ideas to define the future of online Journalism in Ghana.

The online editors were drawn from Daily Graphic, Spy Ghana, Citi FM, Ghana News Agency, Daily Guide, TV3, Starr FM, Radio XYZ, Metro TV, Inform Ghana, Ghanaian Chronicle, Modern Ghana, Spy News Agency and, Business and Financial Times.

The group, which has set out to become Ghana’s ultimate affiliate body for online Editors, has elected Isaac Yeboah of Graphic Communication as its interim Chairman with Charity Tetteh-Roberts of Radio XYZ as vice-chair and will formally be inaugurated in April, 2015.

In a short speech, Mr. Yeboah decried the habit of disregarding sound ethical considerations by some online news portals all in the name of the “We broke it first” syndrome, characterized by a rush to break news online first while throwing caution to the wind and disregarding professional ethics. “Competition has a way of bringing the best out of online news but it would require hard work and responsibility on the part of its players,” he added.

Online editors Ghana has therefore set in motion a campaign to curb the abuse of ethics. It also indicated its readiness to partner with the Ghana Journalist Association to streamline the conduct of online Editors and also with Journalism Schools to put online journalism ethics at the centre of their curriculum.

Mr. Charles Ayiku, a Web Communications expert and a facilitator at the briefing, warned Editors to prioritize credibility in online content delivery without which their audience cannot trust news from their respective online news outlets and desist from slanderous practices that will attract libel or the risk of being sued.

Another facilitator at the briefing Mr Asamoah Boahene, a New Media Expert, took the editors through exciting key trends and developments in the global online news environment in order for them to maintain a competitive edge.


ABOUT

Penplusbytes is a leading organization in Africa, established in 2001 and working in 3 areas: the use of technology to drive governance and accountability, new media and innovations as well as oil, gas and mining.

 

 

Illicit Finance Journalism Programme

This course is aimed at practicing journalists who are keen to investigate tax avoidance, corruption, money laundering and asset recovery.

 

City University London

12 May 2015 - 15 May 2015

The Tax Justice Network and the Centre of Investigative Journalism are pleased to hold the fifth training workshop at City University London.  #ifjp

Course Outline

The course offers journalists - primarily from the developing world - training in uncovering illicit finance, financial secrecy and asset recovery. We bring together journalists from countries where often corruption, tax havens and harmful tax practices stall development and entrench poverty.

To develop closer links between journalists working on these issues throughout the world, there are also limited places available to paying journalists from the UK, Europe and North America. The course fee for journalists from UK and Europe is £650. Course fees go towards subsidising travel and accommodation costs for other participants.

#ifjp (Illicit Finance Journalism Programme)

Application Information
The bursary for journalists from the developing world will cover visa fees, travel, accommodation and per diems for food and travel in London. Due to the limited number of bursaries, applicants will be selected based on their track record in investigative journalism. But you do not need to have a financial background to apply. Class instructions will take place in English.

To apply for the Sping 2015 course please fill in the online application form. Please do not copy and paste entire articles into the form, where possible, please provide links or a few lines summary of the article and date of publication.

Deadline for applications - 18 February 2015. Successful applicants will be contacted by 24 February. 

Innovation in Development Reporting Grant Programme (IDR)

Can you tell a development story in an original and unprecedented way? Is your story inquisitive and engaging? Does it combine critical thinking with good “old school” fact checking and an exploration of new technology developments?

If so, then pitch us the heart of your story.
Should we find your proposal to be substantial, innovative, or even visionary, we will contact you with a request to submit a full-fledged application.
Incomplete applications and mere news-gathering or news-reporting efforts will not be considered for funding.

There are no fees required for submitting an entry.
Only online application forms that are written in English will be processed. Please note however that the story pitches will not be judged on the quality of the language of the proposal and this will not in any way influence the decision regarding the awarded grants. All applications, regardless of the quality of the language used, will be given thorough consideration on the basis of the content of the story pitches.

Once your application has been received, you will get an email confirmation. Programme staff may contact you via telephone or email should they require more information about your pitch. All communication will be done in English.

Alongside of this open call for proposals, the EJC will also proactively solicit entries from selected news outlets in the nine eligible countries.

APPLY HERE

Call for applications : International M.A. in New Media and Digital Culture ­at the University of Amsterdam

International M.A. in New Media and Digital Culture ­at the University of Amsterdam

Call for Applications for­ Fall 2015, rolling admissions close on 1 April 2015

One-year and two-year New Media M.A. Programs available. For the two-year "Research Master's Program: New Media Specialisation," see below.

### International M.A. in New Media & Digital Culture (one-year program) ###

/// Overview

The MA Program in media studies New Media and Digital Culture offers a comprehensive and critical approach to new media research, practices and theory. It builds upon the pioneering new media scene that Amsterdam is known for, with an emphasis on the study of Internet culture. The University of Amsterdam has been ranked among the top 10 universities worldwide for studying Media and Communication by the QS World University Rankings. Students gain an in-depth knowledge in new media theory, including perspectives such as software studies, political economy, media history and other critical traditions, and applied to such topics as social media, data cultures, and locative devices, whilst exploring what is actually 'new' in new media. They engage with the emerging area of digital methods, an ensemble of Internet research approaches and techniques that work with web data and are specific to the study of natively digital objects. Additionally, students can choose to train in the areas of issue mapping, creative industries, digital writing and publishing, and social media research. The MA program combines a variety of teaching formats, ranging from lectures and group projects to lab sessions. Interested students are also supported in undertaking research internships. Students produce a wide portfolio of work, including theoretically engaged essays, empirical research projects, new media experiments, blog and wiki entries, in addition to organizing symposia. The program thereby enables students to contribute to timely discourses on digital culture, to conduct innovative research projects, and to critically engage in new media practices.

Students maintain a new media issues blog, http://mastersofmedia.hum.uva.nl, recognized as among the leading academic blogs on the subject of digital culture, where they critique and discuss books, events, and emergent digital objects. Students also get involved in a lively new media culture, both at the university, where internationally renowned speakers present their work and collaborative research projects are developed, and beyond. Cultural institutions, such as the Waag Society, the Balie Center for Culture and Politics, and Mediamatic regularly host inspiring events. The Institute of Network Cultures, initiators of such events as UnlikeUs, Society of the Query, MyCreativity, and Video Vortex, regularly collaborates with the program. Digital media practitioners, such as Appsterdam, various Fablabs, and hacker festivals regularly open their doors to interested audiences and students are invited to blog at new media festivals like Impakt or Cinekid.


/// Curriculum

The New Media and Digital Culture program is a one year MA (60 EC) that begins in early September and ends with a festive graduation ceremony at the end of August. It is divided into two semesters:

First Semester (September - January)
In the first semester all students follow new media core courses which focus on practices, methods and theories. Students learn how to research digital media and how to use digital media for research. They engage in recent methodological debates around big data, realtime research, and software analysis, conduct experimental new media projects, run a wiki wiki.digitalmethods.net/MoM/ and the Masters of Media blog mastersofmedia.hum.uva.nl.

The New Media Research Methods and Digital Methods Data Sprint units, taught by Prof. Richard Rogers, train students in digital methods research, a set of novel techniques and a methodological outlook for social and cultural research with the web (see www.digitalmethods.net). Students use "natively" digital methods to investigate state Internet censorship, search engine rankings, website histories, Wikipedia, Twitter, Facebook, and other web platforms by collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data through various analytical techniques.

New Media Theories introduces students to major theoretical frameworks in new media studies, including cybernetics, software studies, digital labor theories, network criticism, media ecology, and cognitive/communicative capitalism. An important aspect involves reading influential texts on media forms and digital networked technologies, addressing key thinkers such as Marshall McLuhan, Norbert Wiener, Vilem Flusser, Friedrich Kittler, Alexander R. Galloway, N. Katherine Hayles, Matthew Fuller, Wendy Hui Kyong Chun, and Jodi Dean. Students engage with theories through creative and reflexive assignments, including a symposium presentation.

Second Semester (February - June)
In the second semester, students have the opportunity to further specialize by following electives and conducting their MA thesis. In the last years electives offered contained courses on issue mapping for politics, social media & creative industries, the digital book, new media literary forms, and other courses offered outside of new media (subject to change). Issue Mapping for Politics is concerned with mapping online discourse, and is a member of the international network of mapping courses following, amongst others, Bruno Latour's methods. Social Media, Creative Industries, and Ubiquitous Systems addresses the role of social media in the creative industries. The Digital Book investigates how the concept of the 'book' is translated into new media forms that coincide with transformations in the contemporary publishing industry. The subject contains both theoretical and practical components. Against a background of current debates from media and literary theory, the New Media Literary Forms class applies digital methods techniques to the end of researching and creating new forms of digital fiction.

The program of study concludes with the MA thesis, an original analysis that makes a contribution to the field, undertaken with the close mentorship of a faculty supervisor. The graduation ceremony includes an international symposium with renowned speakers.


/// Career perspectives

Graduates in New Media and Digital Culture will have gained the critical faculties, skills, and outlook that will enable them to pursue a career in research as well as in the public and private sectors, ranging from NGOs, government, and cultural institutions to online marketing, software development, startups and the growing field of creative industries. Various alumni have also started their own successful new media business. As the exposure to the Internet and related technologies continues to grow, new media researchers are in demand in a variety of sectors. With digital technologies becoming the preferred platforms for business, information exchange, cultural expression, and political struggle, research skills focusing on these complex and dynamic environments are becoming central to working in these fields. Many alumni also pursued a research oriented career, either within organisations or in academia, by continuing with a PhD program. Past and present staff of the new media team, including Anne Helmond, Esther Weltevrede, and Natalia Sanchez, are alumni of the MA in New Media and Digital Culture or have followed the New Media Research Master.


/// Student Life

The quality-of-living in Amsterdam ranks among the highest of international capitals. UvA's competitive tuition and the frequency of spoken English both on and off-campus make the program especially accommodating for foreign students. The city's many venues, festivals, and other events provide remarkably rich cultural offerings and displays of technological innovation. The program has many ties to cultural institutions and companies active in the new media sector, where internship opportunities and collaborations may be available, in consultation with the student's thesis supervisor. Students attend and blog, tweet or otherwise capture local new media events and festivals, while commenting as well on larger international issues and trends pertaining to new media. The quality of student life is equally to be found in the university's lively and varied intellectual climate. New Media and Digital Culture students come from North and South America, Africa, Asia, Australia, and across Europe; they draw from academic and professional backgrounds including journalism, art and design, marketing, engineering, the humanities, politics and the social sciences.


/// Application and Deadlines

Rolling admissions from November 17, 2014 to April 1, 2015 for fall 2015 admission.

More Info & Questions

- Applications, entry requirements, scholarships & fees: http://gsh.uva.nl/ma-programmes/programmes/item/new-media-and-digital-culture.html.

- Student information website - http://student.uva.nl/mnm/

- Further questions regarding admission & applications? Please write to UvA's Graduate School of the Humanities, graduateschoolhumanities-fgw[at]uva.nl http://gsh.uva.nl/contact

- Specific questions about the curriculum? Please write to Dr. Carolin Gerlitz, New Media Program Coordinator, University of Amsterdam, c.gerlitz[at]uva.nl




### Research Master's in Media Studies, New Media Specialization (two-year program) ###

/// Overview

The New Media Research Master is a specialization within the Media Studies Research Master's Degree Program, and focuses on the theoretical, artistic, practical and methodological study of digital culture. The University of Amsterdam has been ranked among the top 10 universities worldwide for studying Media and Communication by the QS World University Rankings. The intensive and selective two year program has been developed for students with proven ability in, and passion for, research. The New Media Research Master has two 'routes,' the theoretical aesthetic and the practical empirical ones. In the theoretical aesthetic route, students focus on contemporary media theory and critical media art. The other route is the practical empirical, which is the other specialty of new media research in Amsterdam: digital methods and issue mapping. Students also may combine coursework from each of the two routes, putting together a course package that treats aesthetics and visualization, on the one hand, or media art and digital methods, on the other.

As a crucial component of the Amsterdam New Media Research Program, the New Media Research Master encourages fieldwork, studying abroad, and lab work, which can also provide materials for the thesis. In undertaking fieldwork, students are given the opportunity to spend a period abroad for structured data collection and study, doing either a 'research internship' or an independent project, supervised by a staff member. For example, in the past students have studied ICTs for development in Africa, and electronics factories in China. The lab work can result in a research project that combines web data collection, tool use and development as well as visualisation. It often addresses a contemporary issue, such as NSA Leaks or international protests, and brings together a group of researchers in a data sprint, hackathon or barcamp, intensively working to output new infographics, blog postings and research reports which contribute to international new media debates.

Outstanding New Media research master graduates are expected to compete favorably for PhD positions nationally and internationally, and have gained skill sets which enable new media research in scholarly and professional settings.

The New Media Research Master Specialization has as its target 15 students annually.


/// Curriculum

- Year one
1st Semester: students follow the core courses of the MA New Media & Digital Culture, which provide in-depth training in Internet critique and empirical analysis of the web. The core courses cover an introduction to searching & collecting, key communities & journals in the field, blogging, the Amsterdam scene, new media events, academic writing, working with data, and relevant methodological debates in new media research. Building on these skills, students are trained in Digital Research Methods with Prof. Richard Rogers and learn how to collect, analyse and visualise web data. Concurrently students take New Media Theories classes, which introduce students to some of the major theoretical traditions in new media, including perspectives such as software studies, political economy, media ecologies, and other critical traditions. (For more details on these courses, see the one-year MA description above.)

2nd Semester: the students follow the research master core course Media & Politics, which places both historically crucial and contemporary political manifestos in relation to media analyses, encouraging a consideration of concepts such as labour, spectacle, the machine, identity and affect. Students also have an elective, and may choose between the electives of the one year program, attending Winter or Summer Schools, or tutorials specifically offered for the Research MA. (For more details on theme seminars, see the one-year MA description above.)

- Year two
1st Semester: students follow the research master core course Comparative Media Studies or may pursue a "research internship" or a study abroad program with partner universities. They may undertake fieldwork for a research project, or join a digital methods lab project. Students also may follow an elective course or tutorial, taken from the broader offerings of the faculty of the humanities.

2nd Semester: students follow an elective course and also write the thesis, which is expected to be original and make a contribution to a discourse in the field. The research master's degree program concludes with a thesis conference and a festive graduation.


/// Application and Deadlines

Rolling admissions from November 17, 2014 to April 1, 2015 for fall 2015 admission.

More Info & Questions

- International Research M.A. in Media Studies - University of Amsterdam - http://gsh.uva.nl/ma-programmes/programmes/item/media-studies-research.html for details, including fees. When applying, indicate that your application is for the "New Media Specialization."

- Student information website - http://student.uva.nl/mmic/

- Further questions regarding admission & applications? Please write to UvA's Graduate School of the Humanities, graduateschoolhumanities-fgw[at]uva.nl http://gsh.uva.nl/contact

- Specific questions about curriculum and student life? Please write to Dr. Bernhard Rieder, Media Studies Research Master Coordinator, University of Amsterdam, b.rieder[at]uva.nl


### New Media M.A. Faculty - University of Amsterdam ###

Richard Rogers, Professor and Chair. Web epistemology, digital methods. Publications include Information Politics on the Web (MIT Press, 2004/2005), awarded American Society for Information Science and Technology's 2005 Best Information Science Book of the Year Award, and Digital Methods (MIT Press, 2013). Founding director of govcom.org and digitalmethods.net.

Bernhard Rieder, Associate Professor. Digital Methods, software theory and politics. Current research interests include search engine politics and the mechanization of knowledge production. http://thepoliticsofsystems.net

Jan Simons, Associate Professor. Mobile Culture, gaming, film theory. Publications include Playing The Waves: Lars von Trier's Game Cinema (AUP, 2007). Project Director, Mobile Learning Game Kit, Senior Member, Digital Games research group. http://home.medewerker.uva.nl/j.a.a.simons/

Carolin Gerlitz, Assistant Professor. Digital research, software/platform studies, social media, economic sociology, topology, numeracy, value and valuation, brands, and issue mapping online. http://home.medewerker.uva.nl/c.gerlitz/

Niels van Doorn. Assistant Professor. Materialization of gender, sexuality, and embodiment in digital spaces. http://home.medewerker.uva.nl/n.a.j.m.vandoorn/

Thomas Poell. Assistant Professor. Social media and the transformation of activist communication in different parts of the world. http://home.medewerker.uva.nl/t.poell/

Erik Borra, Lecturer. Data science, digital methods, issue mapping online. Digital methods lead developer. http://home.medewerker.uva.nl/e.k.borra/

Esther Weltevrede, Lecturer. Controversy mapping with the Web, temporalities and dynamics online, device studies. http://home.medewerker.uva.nl/e.j.t.weltevrede/

Marc Tuters, Lecturer. New media literary forms, avant-garde media history, locative media. http://home.medewerker.uva.nl/m.d.tuters/

Anne Helmond, Lecturer. Digital methods, software studies, platform studies, social media and data flows between web platforms. http://home.medewerker.uva.nl/a.p.helmond/

Sjoukje van der Meulen, Lecturer. New media theories, media art, curating, art criticism.

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International Institute for ICT Journalism
www.penplusbytes.org