KSJ Names 2026-27 HBCU Science Journalism Fellowship Class - Knight Science Journalism @MIT Representing five different Historically Black Colleges and Universities, the students are interested in everything from AI to astronomy.

We're proud to announce the 10 outstanding undergraduate journalism students to our 2026-27 HBCU Science Journalism Fellowship class. 

Sarah McBride has built her career on finding the human stories behind Silicon Valley’s biggest technologies. We spoke with her about her path to journalism, navigating hype cycles, and finding the human elements of technology stories.

🔗: https://ksj.mit.edu/news/2026/03/13/sarah-mcbride/

Quote: "I think that what motivated me for all of this is my passion for transformation. I've long been captivated by butterflies because they are the symbol of transformation from phase to phase even if their life is very short." - Samira Hamza. Photo of her on the bottom right.

Celebrating Samira Hamza this #InternationalDayOfWomenAndGirlsInScience — the 2025 recipient of the Springer Nature Fellowship for Advancing Science Journalism in Africa and the Middle spklr.io/63326DZSoY @ksjatmit.bsky.social.

👉 spklr.io/63322DZSoq

#WomenInScience #WomenInSTEM #IDWGS

We had the privilege of hosting former Mutter Museum executive director Kate Quinn for a fascinating conversation about museums, human remains, the media, and public trust. It was a thought-provoking seminar, with a lively Q&A.

Lab Dog author Melanie D.G. Kaplan at the KSJ offices with beagle pal Moira Rose.

We have a VIP (and a VIB!) at the @ksjatmit.bsky.social offices today. @melaniedgkaplan.bsky.social is speaking to Knight fellows about her book Lab Dog.

If you're in the New England area, don't miss the chance to see former KSJ fellow @melaniedgkaplan.bsky.social discuss her fascinating new book about the world of animal research.

Environmental Journalist Paula Moura, a 2025-26 KSJ Fellow and a transplant from Brazil to the U.S., sees herself as a bridge of communication between the two countries.

🔗: https://ksj.mit.edu/news/2026/01/16/paula-moura/

Yvette Cabrera, On Covering the ‘Broccoli’ of Environmental Beats Environmental justice reporting can be emotionally heavy and hard to swallow, but “there are some really uplifting stories,” the KSJ Fellow explains.

Uproot member @ashleydsouza.bsky.social spoke with @ksjatmit.bsky.social Fellow and founding member of The Uproot Project, @ycabreraoc.bsky.social, about the highs and lows of covering the environmental beat. ksj.mit.edu/news/2026/01...

Yvette Cabrera, On Covering the ‘Broccoli’ of Environmental Beats Environmental justice reporting can be emotionally heavy and hard to swallow, but “there are some really uplifting stories,” the KSJ Fellow explains.

Environmental justice reporting can be emotionally heavy and hard to swallow, but “there are some really uplifting stories,” KSJ Fellow @ycabreraoc.bsky.social explains.

A Better World Is Possible "Helpful and hopeful." —John Green, #1 New York Times–bestselling author of The Fault in Our StarsA Better World Is Possible is a comprehensive and graph...

@meerasub.bsky.social  (‘17) collaborated with illustrator Danica Novgorodoff to create a nonfiction graphic novel for a young adults featuring four real-life youth climate activists

Shade by Sam Bloch: 9780593242766 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books An extraordinary investigation into shade, this “compelling . . . conversation-starter draws examples from history, city-planning and social policy” (NPR) to change the way we think about a...

In “Shade: The Promise of a Forgotten Natural Resource," @samkbloch.bsky.social (KSJ '22) examines the key role that shade plays in protecting human health and enhancing urban life, and looks for ways we can bring shade back.

A rare opportunity to ask KSJ's director your questions about applying for our world-renowned fellowship program. Don't miss it!

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Applying to the Knight Science Journalism Academic-Year Fellowship . After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. KSJ directors will host a live webinar to answer questions about the academic-year fellowship and the application process. This session is a great way to learn what we look for in candidates and how t...

Interested in applying to KSJ's world-renowned science journalism fellowships? Attend our informational webinar THIS THURSDAY, Dec 18 at 2:00 pm EST, where @usha.bsky.social and @ashleythesmart.bsky.social will be on hand to take your questions. Registration Required: mit.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

America’s Overheated Landfills Have Been Making People Sick Beneath layers of waste, landfills around the US have been reaching scorching temperatures, spewing toxic gases and geysers of trash juice.

Laura Bliss (‘23) published an investigation in July about toxic consequences of trash smoldering beneath the surface of landfills in California and the waste industry's efforts to avoid regulation. @bloomberg.com 

The Indian Ocean disaster is a climate tragedy — and needs more attention A region unused to tropical cyclones has had three in a week. The world needs to ask why this happened, not look away.

Dyna Rochmyaningsih (KSJ '24) calls for attention to the disaster in the Indian Ocean.

"A region unused to tropical cyclones has had three in a week. The world needs to ask why this happened, not look away." www.nature.com/articles/d41...

McElheny Award: Submission Guidelines - KSJ@MIT The Victor K. McElheny award honors outstanding coverage of science, public-health, technology, and environmental issues at the local or regional level.

Jump to the full submission and eligibility guidelines here: ksj.mit.edu/mcelheny-awa...

The Victor K. McElheny Award for Local and Regional Science Journalism The Victor K. McElheny Award honors outstanding local and regional journalism covering issues in science, public health, technology, or the environment.

What does it take to win the $10,000 McElheny Award for Local Science Journalism? Investigative, compelling narrative journalism that makes a difference for communities. 

Submissions close Jan 31. Get started in the submission portal and read about past winners: 

Journalist Charles Piller speaking at podium at WCSJ conference in Pretoria.

“If I’m not getting attacked…I would have felt I failed.” @charlespiller.bsky.social at #WCSJ25 on how his work exposing fraud in Alzheimer’s research was attacked and called misinformation and how he responded. “Ignoring scientific misconduct invites public distrust.”

The Knight Science Journalism Fellowship at MIT genuinely changed my life. I learned a ton, witnessed how science is done firsthand, and took my writing career in a new direction. If you write about science/tech, you should apply!! ksj.mit.edu/fellowships/...

Attendees of WCSJ25 posing

I haven’t found every @ksjatmit.bsky.social fellow here at #WCSJ25 but here’s a start. Rosalia Omungo, Fabio Turone, and our inaugural Africa/Middle East fellow @sharonmuzaki.bsky.social

Alumni Notes: A Bounty of Books and Breaking News - Knight Science Journalism @MIT A recurring roundup of news about former KSJ Fellows, including a compendium of what the fellows have been writing.

Alumni Notes: From unchecked garbage fires to academic freedom, our alumni are telling the stories that link science to policy, and the everyday impacts on communities.

ksj.mit.edu/news/2025/12...

The Victor K. McElheny Award. $10,000 for outstanding local science journalism. Submission deadline: Jan 31

The Victor K. McElheny Award will accept nominations until January 31, 2026. The award recognizes outstanding coverage of science, public health, technology, or the environment at the local or regional level with a $10K prize.

Get started: ksj.mit.edu/news/2025/12/02/mcelheny...

A Hidden Health Crisis Following Natural Disasters: Mold Growth in Homes - KFF Health News As extreme weather wreaks havoc, the risk of dangerous mold looms. An estimated 47% of homes already have mold or dampness, leaving their residents exposed to mold spores and associated allergens that can cause respiratory problems.

"When it comes to our disaster response system, mold remediation is one of the most neglected areas at the local, state, and national levels"
👇 Strong reporting from Jonathan Charles, KSJ HBCU Fellow '25

Logos of 25 sponsors of the World Conference of Science Journalists

We're proud to be a sponsor of the World Conference of Science Journalists. Communities all around the globe benefit when science journalists gather to learn from one another.

Can't make it to South Africa? Online access is still available. 
https://www.wcsj2025.org/

Here, Have A Fancy-Ass Turkey As Americans prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, a quick dive into turkey taxonomy and anatomy.

Jason Bittel's newest book, GRIZZLED: Love Letters to 50 of North America’s Least Understood Animals, comes out March 3, 2026. In the meantime, @bittelmethis.bsky.social (KSJ '21) has plenty to say about one animal in particular...

Alumni news: @beebrookshire.bsky.social (KSJ '20) fought a turkey once, and you can read about it in her book!

Every month, the Institute for Independent Journalists holds FREE webinars to nurture your network, sharpen your skills, and perfect your pitches. Check out our full schedule here: theiij.com/webinars

Christian von Preysing-Barry on How Television Journalism Can Survive The veteran broadcast journalist and current Knight Science Journalism Fellow sees social media as more an opportunity than a threat.

Christian von Preysing-Barry on How Television Journalism Can Survive

The veteran broadcast journalist and current Knight Science Journalism Fellow sees social media as more an opportunity than a threat.

ksj.mit.edu/news/2025/11...

Knight Science Journalism Academic-Year Fellowship 2026-27

▶️Full-time journalists, whether on staff or freelance
🔹at least 3 consecutive years covering science, health, tech and environmental reporting
💰$85,000 paid out in installments over 9.5 months

⭕January 9, 2026

ksj.mit.edu/fellowships/...

I was able to explore my curiosity deeply and broadly, surrounded by an amazing group of fellow journalists. Quote from Cynthia Graber, KSJ class of 2013 and cohost of the Gastropod Podcast. Knight Science Journalism Fellowships. Applications close January 9, 2026

To experience fellowship life for yourself, start your application soon and submit before January 9, 2026

Academic-Year Fellowship: 
ksj.mit.edu/fellowships/academic-yea...
Fellowship for Africa and the Middle East:
ksj.mit.edu/fellowships/africa-middl...