Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
AM I ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?
The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism offers fully funded Fellowships to well established mid-career journalists from throughout the world. Applicants must have a minimum of five years' experience in any branch of journalism and demonstrate sufficient proficiency in English to be able to participate fully in the life of the Programme and write a research paper in English of publishable quality.
I AM A FREELANCE JOURNALIST, CAN I STILL APPLY FOR A FELLOWSHIP?
Yes, we do accept applications from freelance journalists, however they must be working journalists who plan to work as journalists after the Fellowship. Unfortunately, we cannot accept applicants with no recent experience or only limited experience of working as a journalist or who have no intention of returning to work as journalists. If you are a freelance journalist, we will accept a professional reference from a colleague or higher education tutor.
HOW LONG ARE THE FELLOWSHIPS?
Fellowships may be for three, six or nine months covering one or two terms or a full academic year (October – June) respectively.
WHAT KIND OF PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Priority will be given to journalists proposing projects that will have a demonstrated impact, and to which they bring particular passion or lived-experience expertise. Note that these are not academic research projects but journalistic research projects. Some common themes our projects explore:
- Journalism and Democracy This encompasses projects exploring the functions of media in political information, engagement, and participation, the roles of journalism and other media and communication platforms in democratisation, the interplay of politics and the media, and public policies toward media.
- Business of Journalism These projects are focused on the practices and effects of business decisions in media, and variations in practices around the globe. They encompass topics including workflows and management practices.
- Journalism Practice These includes projects exploring topics such as the role of news and journalism in creating awareness and understanding of science and medicine, reporting of risk, business/financial reporting, relationships between journalists and sources, and on how journalism affects public opinion and governmental policies.
- Media Policy This incorporates projects investigating policies and proposed policies affecting media, particularly with regards to emerging trends, such as structural and behavioural regulation of broadcasting, press regulation, pluralism policies, ownership controls, content regulation, ethics, taxation, and subsidies.
Other areas of research can be considered providing these are clearly related to the professional work of applicants and will lead to greater excellence in journalism.
WHAT DOES THE FUNDING INCLUDE?
Awards may include travel expenses (including air travel economy class) and a modest living allowance. This arrangement is subject to variation. Spouses and partners (including with dependents) are welcome but under no circumstances will the Fellowship Programme pay the travel or living costs of visiting spouses or dependents.
Journalists on Fellowships from the Thomson Reuters Foundation, Mona Megalli, Wincott and Google will receive a monthly stipend of £2,000 for their living costs during their stay in Oxford, as well as covering travel costs within reason.
CAN I FUND MYSELF ON A FELLOWSHIP?
Journalists may also arrange their own funding, but they should then approach the Director of the Programme, in the first instance before making a formal application. Self- funded fellows may apply at any time. Please email reuters.institute(at)politics.ox.ac.uk if you wish to fund yourself on the programme.
CAN I WORK WHILE ON THE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMME?
No, the Fellowship is a full-time programme and we expect all Fellows to commit to the numerous academic and social activities of the Reuters Institute.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO LIVE IN OXFORD?
The main university website gives guideline information for the expected average living costs for graduate students living in either college accommodation or a shared house at Oxford for between 9 and 12 months a year, which will act as a useful estimate for prospective candidates for RISJ fellowship programmes. RISJ Fellows often stay in accommodation provided by the North Oxford Overseas Centre.