The 2×2 Project Wants YOU

APPLY BY MARCH 1 for the Communication in Health and Epidemiology Fellowship at Columbia University

The Fellowship

The Communication in Health and Epidemiology Fellowship (CHEF) at Columbia University is a 1-year, cooperative educational opportunity for students interested in learning about the theory and practice of communicating health information to the public in a hands-on manner. Fellows work intimately with editors of our online and print media to pitch, edit, and write content for these venues. The program combines formal training in health communication in the form of didactic lectures, workshops, and networking events along with formal work experience.

The Fellows

The fellows are students at or recent graduates of programs at Columbia University. Fellows are interested in public health, have strong backgrounds in science (broadly defined, including social as well as natural sciences) and excellent writing skills, as well as the demonstrated ability to work independently, and in collaboration, respond constructively and promptly to feedback, and they are active consumers of health and news media. Each year’s cohort includes four fellows. The Fellowship year starts on June 1 and ends on May 30. Each fellow is paired with a content editor who oversees 1-2 fellows working collaboratively toward completing assignments.

The Training

All fellows engage in, and learn how to pitch articles and commentaries effectively, synthesize topical scientific discussion into compelling narratives for wider public conversation, and understand the logistics, strengths, and limitations of web and print publishing. In order to achieve these aims, our program involves a combination of: 1) real-time mentoring and support, 2) hands on experience with production, editing, and writing, 3) opportunities to provide mentorship to others (“learn one, do one, teach one”), 4) didactic lectures and workshops with professionals in both science and journalism, and 5) networking opportunities with both scientists and journalists.

The Responsibility

We expect that Fellows dedicate 15-20 hours per week to fellowship-related work and learning experiences. Fellows work directly with content editors, as well as with the Editor-in-Chief. Fellows’ day-to-day responsibilities include contacting and working with authors, editing submissions, and writing and/or researching pieces for publication. Fellows are expected to attend weekly meetings with content editors and to complete assignments in a timely manner. Each Fellow is awarded a stipend of $7,500.

The Application

Applications will be accepted beginning January 28, 2013. Applications must include the following six elements in a single document: 1) a CV, 2) a cover letter, which includes a discussion of scientific, writing, and media credentials (e.g. prior work on school newspapers, coursework in social and basic sciences) and an explanation of interest in working with the 2×2 project, 3) a commentary no longer than 800 words about a topical health issue of interest, 4) an image to accompany your commentary, 5) a draft tweet you would send out to followers to promote your commentary (140 characters max, including hyperlink), and 6) a draft Facebook post you would use to promote your commentary. Applications should be emailed to fellowship director, Dana March (dm2025@columbia.edu). The deadline for applying has been extended to March 1, 2013 at 11:59 pm EST.

For More Information

For questions or more information about the fellowship, please contact fellowship director Dana March (dm2025@columbia.edu).