The application phase for the Journalist-in-Residence Program for 2024 has started!
How should journalists cover new developments in artificial intelligence? How can journalists use intelligent systems, machine learning and computer vision to support their work? If you want to find answers to these questions, you can now apply for the Cyber Valley Journalist-in-Residence (JIR) program.
Cyber Valley's Journalist-in-Residence (JIR) program is designed for experienced journalists who want to explore intelligent systems and the relationship between journalism and AI. During their stay, JIRs will have the opportunity to learn about the latest developments in machine learning, computer vision and robotics within the Cyber Valley community. They will have the unique opportunity to gain access to excellent research at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen and the University of Stuttgart. The residency offers space for creativity and free thinking about methods, future tools and developments for AI-driven or AI-assisted journalism.
Interested journalists can apply for a three- to six-month paid stay at Cyber Valley in Tübingen until February 29, 2024. During this time, the journalist-in-residence can conduct independent research on a topic of their choice in exchange with AI researchers, entrepreneurs and industry partners. Cyber Valley does not expect any reporting on AI topics or on Cyber Valley during this time.
The call for applications is aimed at permanent and freelance journalists who research and report in German or English. Remuneration via a contract for work is based on TV‑L E13. The stay can be completed part-time.
“I recommend applying to anyone who is ready to dive deep into research on intelligent systems — and at the same time work in a city that closely follows such developments,” says data journalist Christina Elmer, who was Journalist-in-Residence in 2021 and is now Germany's first professor of data journalism at the Technical University of Dortmund.
Since the 2021 pilot project, the JIR program has established itself as an integral part of Cyber Valley's public engagement strategy. Other former Journalists-in-Residence include Julia Merlot from Der Spiegel, Bettina Friedrich from MDR, freelance journalist Tobias Asmuth, and journalist Elena Riedlinger from WDR.
What does Cyber Valley offer?
- Introduction to the fundamentals of machine learning, computer vision, and robotics
- Access to a network of researchers
- Insights into the Cyber Valley community
- Space for creativity and reflection on methods, tools and AI-supported journalism
- Paid employment contract
- Budget for own events (e.g. workshops, expert talks and travel)
- Office and accommodation
- Full-time/part-time
- TV‑L E13
How can you apply?
Interested journalists have until February 29, 2024 to apply. Applications may be submitted in English or German. To apply, please send a cover letter, curriculum vitae and an idea paper on the research topic you are interested in by email to Patrick Klügel. The two-page idea paper should explain the journalistic challenge the applicant would like to tackle during their stay. The selection criteria are Journalistic quality, scope, previous experience in data journalism and creativity, relevance and feasibility of the self-selected project. An independent jury will propose up to two candidates for the program from the applications received by March 2024. The jury will make the final selection by early April 2024. Applications may be submitted in English or German.
The JIR program offers space for two journalists to spend three months each, or for one journalist to spend six months. The stay must begin in 2024. For more information about the call for applications and the Cyber Valley JIR program, please contact Patrick Klügel.
The JIR program is a cooperation between the Center for Rhetorical Science Communication on artificial intelligence (RHET AI) and Cyber Valley, funded by the Volkswagen Foundation.
