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Overview

AHFMR's media fellowship program provides opportunities for Alberta university students with strong biomedical science backgrounds to spend 12 weeks during the summer working as reporters, researchers, and production assistants with mass media organizations in the province.

AHFMR's program began in 1991 and has 35 graduates.

Program aims are to:

  • strengthen the relationship between scientists and the media;

  • provide young scientists, at a critical stage in their careers, with the opportunity to observe and participate in how events and ideas become news;

  • improve the fellows' skills in communicating complex technical subjects to the public;

  • increase the fellows' understanding of editorial decision-making and the ways news is communicated to the public;

  • enhance the coverage of science and technology issues by the media; and

  • contribute to improved public understanding and appreciation of science and technology.

Choosing Students and Hosts

Student career centres and appropriate faculties at the University of Alberta and University of Calgary have applications to send to AHFMR. The media host and Janet Harvey, Manager, Publications, interview the short-listed candidates. Hosts must provide quality training and be committed to science coverage.

Monitoring

Midway through the 12-week program, AHFMR visits hosts and students. Hosts and students are asked to submit a final report.

Application Process

Applications for 2011 will be posted in February 2011.

Success

The enthusiasm of students and sponsors and the products of the students' writing and research indicate the program has achieved many of its established goals.

Previous Placements

2010

  • Ryan Roszko, an undergraduate student in kinesiology at the University of Alberta, worked at CBC radio in Edmonton
  • Peter Kublik, a PhD student in Medical Sciences at the University of Calgary, worked at CBC radio in Calgary

2009

  • Zaheed Damani, a Bachelor of Health Sciences student at the University of Calgary, worked at CBC radio in Calgary
  • Kelsey MacLeod, a medical student at the University of Alberta, worked at CBC radio in Edmonton

2008

  • Joshua Bezanson, a Bachelor of Health Sciences student at the University of Calgary, worked at CBC radio in Calgary
  • Lesley Baldwin, a PhD student in medical physics at the University of Alberta, worked at CBC radio in Edmonton

2007

  • Jonathan Davies, an M.Sc. student in the neuroscience program at the University of Calgary, worked at CBC in Calgary
  • Kristy Baron, a B.Sc. student in immunology and infection at the University of Alberta, worked at CBC in Edmonton

2006

  • Chris Willie, a Bachelor of Health Sciences student at the U of C worked at CBC radio in Calgary
  • Piotr Klakowicz, a M.Sc. graduate at the U of A worked at CBC radio in Edmonton

2005

  • Branco Lazarevic, a 4th year BSc student in Biological Sciences at the U of C worked at CBC radio in Calgary
  • Tara Narwani, a PhD student in plant genetics at the U of A worked at CBC radio in Edmonton

2004

  • Kieran Halloran, a Medical student at the U of A, worked at CBC radio Edmonton
  • Dominika Boczula, a Science student at the U of C worked at CBC radio Calgary

2003

  • Erin Nerland, a U of C MSc student, worked at CBC radio Calgary
  • Lisa Lemieux, a U of A medical student, worked at CBC radio Edmonton

2002

  • Francesco Mosaico, a Medical student at the U of A, worked as a CBC Radio Edmonton reporter
  • Theresa Wu, a U of C Biological Science and Psychology student, worked as a reporter at CBC Radio Calgary

2001

  • Salah Sultan, an Engineering student at the U of C, worked as a CBC Radio Calgary reporter
  • Shelby Haque, a U of A medical student, worked as an Edmonton Journal reporter

2000

  • Sara Binder, a medical student at the U of C, worked as a CBC Calgary radio reporter
  • Laura Mireau, a U of A student, interned with Global News in Edmonton

1999

  • Jason Ding, a science student at the U of A, worked as a CBC Edmonton radio reporter/researcher
  • Carmen Kinniburgh, a U of C student, worked as a reporter/researcher at the Calgary Herald

1998

  • Melanie Bodnar, a second year U of A, medical student worked as a CBC Edmonton radio reporter/researcher and collaborated with
  • Thiloma Fernando, a fifth year U of C science student, who worked as a CBC Calgary radio reporter

1997

  • Hakique Virani, a fourth year U of C biology student was a researcher/reporter for Channel 3 CFCN News in Calgary
  • Brett Poulin, a U of A genetics student interned with ITV News in Edmonton

1996

  • Darren Nichols, a first year U of A medical student worked as a researcher/writer for CBC Radio-Edmonton AM
  • Chris Tenove, had a B.SC.in genetics and worked at the Edmonton Journal

1995

  • Marianne Kulka, a third year English and Biochemistry major, interned at the Calgary Herald

1994

  • Malcolm Ferrier, a U of A physics student worked at CBC Alberta News

1993

  • Shazia Qurechi, a U of C zoology student worked for CBC Newsworld

1992

  • Linda Pulik, a U of C genetics student interned at the Calgary Herald
  • Andrea Chung, a U of A student worked on the CFRN news team

1991

  • Lisa Gaede, a U of A medical student worked with the local CBC Morning Show
  • David Wong, a U of C student interned at the Calgary Herald

If you have any questions about the program, please contact:

Karen Thomas
Media Relations Specialist
(780) 423-5727
karen.thomas@albertainnovates.ca