3 March 2023 | Tübingen

Call for journalist-in-residence

Next round of Cyber Valley program for AI and journalism begins

Graphic: Cyber Valley

How do journalists report on current developments in artificial intelligence (AI) research? How can machine learning, computer vision and other AI applications be used for journalism? In our journalist-in-residence program, you will develop your own answers in conversation with our researchers.

Interested journalists can apply now until April 15 for a three- to six-month paid stay. During this time, the journalist-in-residence can conduct research on a topic of his or her choice in exchange with AI researchers from various disciplines - completely independently. Cyber Valley explicitly does not expect any reporting on AI topics or about Cyber Valley during this time.

“I recommend applying to anyone who is willing to take a deep dive into research on intelligent systems - and at the same time wants to be in a city that closely follows such developments,” said data journalist Christina Elmer, who was journalist-in-residence from April to June 2021 and is now Germany's first professor of data journalism at TU Dortmund University. After the 2021 pilot, the “AI and Journalism” program has become a permanent part of the Cyber Valley Public Engagement Strategy. Other journalist-in-residence since then have been Julia Merlot, Der Spiegel, and Bettina Friedrich, MDR.

What does Cyber Valley offer?

Introduction to basics of machine learning, computer vision and robotics.
Building your own network with researchers
Insights into the Cyber Valley ecosystem
Freedom for creativity and reflection on methods, tools and AI-supported journalism
remunerated work contract
Budget for own events (e.g. workshops, expert:ing talks, travel)
Costs for office and accommodation will be covered

How do you apply?

Interested media representatives can apply by April 15 by sending a cover letter, a CV and an idea paper by e-mail to Patrick Klügel. The two-page idea paper illustrates which journalistic challenge is to be solved during the stay with regard to the topic of AI or with the help of AI. The selection criteria are journalistic quality, scope and previous data journalism experience on the one hand, and creativity, relevance and feasibility of the self-selected research or project task on the other. An independent jury will recommend up to two candidates from the applications received for the program by early May.

The JIR program offers space for two journalists, each seeking a three-month stay, or alternatively one journalist for six months. The first residency period begins in July, the second in October 2023. For more information on the call for applications and the Cyber Valley Journalist-in-Residence program process, please take a look at this flyer.

The JIR program is a collaboration of the Center for Rhetorical Science Communication on Artificial Intelligence (RHET AI) and Cyber Valley, funded by the Volkswagen Foundation.

Contact person

Patrick Klügel
Public Engagement Manager

Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen
Zentrale Verwaltung · Dez. II Abt. 1, Forschungs- und Exzellenzstrategie
Rümelinstr. 32 · 72070 Tübingen

Patrick.kluegel@uni-tuebingen.de
+49 151/74238237