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Call for applications from Lebanon, Palestine and Syria for the Asfari Fellowship

19 Jul 2016

The Journalism Fellowship Programme at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism supports talented mid-career journalists from around the world whose professional work would be enhanced by a period of reflection, research and intellectual exchange with other journalists in Oxford. The Fellowship Programme has run for 30 years and has a network of over 500 alumni from 93 countries.We are pleased to announce the call for applications for the Asfari Fellowship sponsored by the Asfari Foundation. This gives a unique opportunity for journalists from Lebanon, Palestine and Syria (candidates should ideally be based in the Levant region or Turkey and intend to work there upon the completion of the Fellowship) to benefit from a funded fellowship at the University of Oxford. The Asfari journalist fellows 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 ideally related to civil society, 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 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 civil society, 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 (IELTS 7.0). 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.

For more information on the Journalism Fellowship Programme, including how to apply, please visit https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/page/journalism-fellowship-programme.

Closing date for applications:  Monday 5th September at midday