Britain needs more great science writers – particularly from backgrounds which have been traditionally under-represented in the media.
To address this, for the fourth year running the New Statesman and the Wellcome Trust are offering two paid three-month placements to student or graduates from an ethnic minority background*.
Each placement will last 12 weeks, to be taken in one go or in blocks, and will be paid at London living wage.
Over the course of the placements, the successful applicants will:
- Work alongside the New Statesman web and magazine team, learning about the editorial and production process, and how articles are conceived, written, edited and laid out
- Visit Wellcome’s headquarters in Euston and learn about its mission to improve health and make great ideas thrive
- Undertake a data-driven journalism research project on a scientific topic, which will be published on the New Statesman website
- Visit Parliament and learn about how science-based legislation is developed and debated in the select committee system
- Have an opportunity to interview a leading scientist or policy-maker
- Write a regular bylined science blog on the New Statesman website
- Receive regular feedback and editing from the editorial team
- Meet journalists at other titles in the sector (previous Wellcome Scholars have met writers for the Atlantic, and presenters for the BBC)
Over the course of the placements, you will be paid London living wage (£9.75/hour), thanks to the generous support of Wellcome. The placements should be taken before April 2018.
To apply, follow the steps below and apply direct to the New Statesman.
Please write an 800-word blogpost on a recent or upcoming scientific development which you feel has the potential to change lives significantly. Explain clearly and concisely what stage the research is at, and how it is likely to proceed. It should be written as if for the NS audience – interested, intelligent laypeople.
Please also write up to 200 words on why you are right for this placement and what you would hope to get out of it. You don’t need to send a CV, but do give an indication of what stage you are at in your education, and when you would be able to take the placement.
Please only use Word files, or paste your text into the body of an email.
Send your application by email to Helen Lewis (Helen @ newstatesman co uk) with the subject line “Wellcome Scholarship 2017”.
Applications close on 23 June 2017. Interviews will take place soon after.
* This is a positive action scheme under the Race Relations Act.
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