December 04, 2009 The Watson Institute has received a $145,000 grant from the AT&T Foundation and AT&T Corp. to develop the “Global Conversation,” an online media portal of documentary films, podcast series, and other audio/video addressing social challenges. Included in the initiative are up to 10 AT&T New Media Fellowships, providing support for undergraduates to use media in documenting international projects during the summer of 2010. The deadline for applications for the AT&T New Media Fellowships is January 29. Also included are research assistantships for Brown faculty incorporating media into their work, with a deadline for applications of March 15.
Applications are now being accepted for the AT&T New Media Fellowships, with a deadline of January 29. Details about the portal and research assistantships will be forthcoming.
AT&T New Media Fellows will pursue impact-driven, innovative international projects or internships this summer and document the experience with new media to engage an online global audience. Fellows will participate in a New Media Undergraduate Study Group during this spring, as well as engage with a larger community of student innovators undertaking Brown fellowships during the summer. In addition, they will keep a blog of their summer experience. They will produce multimedia products, such as documentary films, podcast series, or other audio/video, upon their return to Brown to be posted on the Global Conversation website.
“In recent years there has been a buzz at Brown at the nexus of social entrepreneurship, new media, and pressing international issues,” said Institute Deputy Director Geoffrey S. Kirkman ’91, who is leading the project. “With AT&T’s support, we can seize this moment to powerfully illustrate successful approaches to critical global challenges in ways that promote and inspire international social entrepreneurship and citizen engagement on campus and beyond.”
The Watson Institute has for several years incorporated media into its research and teaching missions. The Institute currently hosts the Open Source podcast series, hosted by former NPR personality and current visiting fellow Christopher Lydon. Watson also disseminates its activities via audio and video. In the classroom, its Global Media Project has been a pioneer in exposing Brown students to dialogue among scholars, activists, and documentary filmmakers. These and other efforts have been aimed at leveraging new media to bring attention to the outcomes of global conflict, poverty, environmental degradation, and other issues.