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New Call for Applications from Lebanon, Palestine and Syria for Said-Asfari Fellowships for Journalists

07 Jun 2012

We are pleased to announce that there is still an opportunity to apply for the new Said-Asfari Fellowship jointly sponsored by the Asfari Foundation and the Said Foundation. This gives a unique opportunity for journalists from Lebanon, Palestine and Syria (candidates should ideally be based in the Levant region or Egypt and intend to work there upon the completion of the Fellowship) to benefit from a funded fellowship at the University of Oxford. The Said-Asfari journalist fellows will spend one or two terms (three or six months) in Oxford based at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, where they join a diverse group of journalists from other parts of the world. The fellows attend regular seminars each week and occasional special lectures relating to journalism, and they are encouraged to attend other academic and social events at Oxford University. During their stay in the UK arrangements are also made for the fellows to visit several major media organisations such as Thomson Reuters and the BBC. In addition, the fellows undertake a study project on a topic of their choice, leading to the completion of a 5,000-8,000 word paper at the end of their stay. Each fellow is assigned an academic advisor; usually an Oxford academic specialising in the Said-Asfari Fellow's chosen area, for the purpose of this project. To be considered, applicants are asked to submit a proposal which gives details of the proposed research topic. This is normally related to the business, economic and/or social development of a country or of its media. There is a minimum requirement of 5 years' professional journalistic experience, but exceptional applicants who do not meet this requirement may be considered. In order to take full advantage of the excellent facilities of the Institute and of Oxford University, evidence of a good working knowledge of spoken and written English is also required. All Institute and University/College fees will be paid by the Fellowship, and the fellows will also receive their travel costs and a modest stipend to cover housing and living expenses. The deadline for applications is Friday 10th August at 12.00 noon.