Climate, Sustainability and Health:
Promoting Science Writing and Policy for Journalists in the Arab World
January 20th-25th, 2025
Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE
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Hosted by
About
This intensive, 6-day workshop will equip science journalists with the skills and knowledge to effectively report on the science of climate change, the impacts of climate change on the Arab world, and a variety of potential technological and policy interventions to respond to climate change.
Limited Spots – Act Fast!
With only 25 spots available, early application is encouraged to secure your place.
The Challenge
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region faces a multitude of challenges due to climate change, including public health crises, environmental degradation, and the potential for the region to become uninhabitable. Experts warn that the region may be warming faster than others, and immediate action is necessary to mitigate and adapt to these challenges An effective societal response will have to include technological and policy solutions.
The Role of Science Journalism
An informed public is crucial to navigating these challenges. Science journalists play a vital role in communicating complex scientific concepts and technological advancements related to climate change. With their writing, science journalists can also influence the societal understanding and response to future policy decisions made to address climate change.
Workshop Details
Dates:
January 20th-25th, 2025
(six-day program)
Location:
Khalifa University,
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Participants:
25 science journalists from across the Arab world
(application required)
The workshop will cover
Visa, Flights, Accommodation, and Meals
for accepted participants
Speakers and Trainers
Deborah Blum – Director
Deborah Blum is a Pulitzer Prize-winning science journalist and author, directing the Knight Science Journalism Program at MIT. She’s the founding publisher of Undark and has led the National Association of Science Writers, advising on science communication.
Tom Zeller Jr. – Editor in Chief, Undark
Tom Zeller Jr., a veteran journalist, leads Undark with over two decades of experience in technology and environmental reporting, including 12 years at The New York Times. He is a former Knight Science Journalism Fellow and has received international journalism grants.
Bothina Osama – Regional Coordinator, SciDev.Net (MENA)
Bothina Osama is the regional coordinator of SciDev.Net for the Middle East and North Africa and the managing editor of the Arabic edition, and Co-founder of SciComm X. She is also a founding member of the Arab Science Journalists Association and a co-founder of the Science Journalism Forum and Arab Forum of Science Media and Communication.
Drew Story, PhD – Managing Director
Drew Story leads MIT faculty in strategic policy engagement, helping them influence public policy through research. He previously served as a US Senate policy advisor, contributing to key legislation like the Energy Act of 2020. Drew has a PhD in Chemical and Environmental Engineering with a focus on Public Policy.
Nadia El-Awady – Global Editorial English Market Lead, Medscape
Nadia El-Awady oversees Medscape’s editorial strategy for the English market, managing content across the UK and Europe. She has extensive experience in science communication and global content development.
Ashley Smart, PhD – Associate Director
Ashley Smart is the Associate Director of the Knight Science Journalism program and a former Physics Today editor. Holding a PhD in Chemical and Biological Engineering, he manages KSJ activities and advises on science writing initiatives.
Claire Sadar – Learning and Events Coordinator
Claire Sadar is an experienced events professional and journalist, specializing in religion, politics, and social justice. With an MA in Religion and Society, she managed programs at Historic New England before joining MIT, focusing on virtual events and partnerships.
Lylla Younes- Staff Writer at Grist
Lylla Younes is a Brooklyn-based investigative journalist focusing on toxic exposure and environmental justice. Her work at Grist has earned prestigious awards, including the Nina Mason Pulliam and John B. Oakes Awards. She was also a key member of the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Lawless” series.
Diana Francis, Assistant Professor, Earth Science, Khalifa University
Dr. Diana Francis is an internationally renowned Atmospheric Scientist and Environmental expert with a Ph.D. from Sorbonne Universités. She has over 10 years of experience leading research teams, managing climate projects, and publishing in high-ranked journals.
Katherine Lane, PhD Candidate in Civil and Environmental Engineering
Kate Lane is an oceanographer researching biogeochemistry in our changing oceans using chemical, genetic, and computational tools. She is pursuing her PhD at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution as a National Science Foundation GRFP Fellow.
Mena Mohamed, Master’s in City Planning (MCP)
Mena Mohamed is a graduate student in city planning at MIT and a research assistant with the Displacement Research and Action Network. With experience in international affairs and economic development, her planning and research interests include displacement, participatory community engagement, and local governance.
Amy Rogin, Master’s Student in City Planning (MCP)
Amy Rogin is a Masters of City Planning student at MIT. She previously worked as a Data Scientist at the Urban Institute where her research focused on the intersection of climate adaptation, affordable housing, and disaster resilience.
Akila Saravanan, PhD Student in AeroAstro Department
Akila Saravanan is a PhD student in MIT’s AeroAstro Department, specializing in planning under uncertainty for multi-agent robotics. In addition to her engineering focus, she is dedicated to environmental sustainability and community engagement, leading initiatives like plastic bag bans, community gardens, and healthy eating programs. Her minor in science writing has fueled her passion for effective communication, inspiring her contributions to student-run magazines.
Marwa Alameer, PhD Candidate in Molecular Life Sciences, Khalifa University
Marwa Alameer is a dedicated PhD student in Molecular Life Sciences at Khalifa University. With a strong foundation in biomedical engineering, Marwa’s research focuses on embryology, tackling critical challenges in infertility and exploring the impacts of climate change on fertility to develop innovative solutions for improving reproductive health.
Who Should Apply?
This workshop is designed for science journalists from across the Arabic-speaking world with a passion for reporting on climate, health, and environmental issues.
Application Criteria
Residency
You should reside primarily in an Arabic-speaking country. However, we welcome applicants who are not natives of the Arab-speaking world.
Language Proficiency
You must speak and understand English. To ensure you meet this criterion, we may conduct brief interviews with finalists.
Professional Background
Whether you are a full or part-time journalist or a recent graduate with some experience in science journalism, we want to hear from you. You can submit up to 3 clips or files that showcase your work. If you are a recent graduate, your degree should reflect an interest in science. If your previous journalism work does not include science topics, explain in your statement of interest how you plan to incorporate what you learn at the workshop into your future work. Preference will be given to full-time journalists covering science.
Workshop Key Takeaways
This workshop empowers journalists to:
Gain a deeper understanding of climate science and its regional implications.
Explore potential technological and policy responses.
Develop skills for effective science reporting and policy analysis.
Learn best practices for clear and engaging communication with the public.