What is the programme about?
The iDiv Communicator-in-Residence Programme is designed to foster inspiration and communicating the importance of biodiversity and biodiversity research for our planet and our society.
The Communicator in Residence spends the majority of time in residence at iDiv or one of our partner institutions. The programme is based on communication and engaging with the iDiv community: e.g., social and intellectual interactions with iDiv researchers and members, sharing professional expertise, experiences and passion for communicating science.
How does it work?
Interested journalists, editors or science writers can apply for a one- to six-month compensated residency. During this time, the communicator will work on one or multiple biodiversity topics of their choosing in an exchange with iDiv scientists from various research areas.
A call will be published to announce the next application period.
Questions?
iDiv Media and Communications Committee
Dr Volker Hahn
presse@idiv.de
Past Communicators in Residence
Dan Charles
Journalist Dan Charles stayed at iDiv until September 2024. He was previously a correspondent on the science desk at National Public Radio (USA), covering climate, environment, and agriculture. His work has also appeared in National Geographic, Science, New Scientist, Technology Review, and in several podcasts, including Planet Money from NPR. He is the author of books about the creation of genetically modified crops and the chemist Fritz Haber. He has been a Knight Science Journalism Fellow at MIT (1989–90) and taught journalism in Ukraine through the Fulbright program (2009–2010).
Gayathri Vaidyanathan
Gayathri stayed at iDiv from August to November 2023. She is a science and environment journalist, her print and audio work has appeared in Nature, Discover Magazine, the New York Times and other publications. She previously ran a podcast seeking to decolonize the history (of science, among others) of South Asia, and earlier covered climate change news for DC-based E&E News. She has a bachelor’s in biochemistry from McMaster University and a master’s in journalism from Columbia University. She’s currently based in Stuttgart.