Walter Shorenstein Fellowship in Media and Democracy
Walter Shorenstein Fellowship in Media and Democracy supports media, politics, and public policy leaders in independent projects and public engagement to advance understanding of the information ecosystem.
Funder: John F. Kennedy School of Government
Due Dates: May 1, 2027 (Application) | September 1, 2027 (Program begins)
Funding Amounts: Unpaid fellowship; travel stipends for up to two Cambridge trips during the one-year Shorenstein Fellows Program
Summary: Brings leaders in media, politics, and public policy to Harvard to share expertise and address consequential issues in American public life.
Key Information: Fellowships cannot support film development, and human-subject research requiring IRB oversight is discouraged.
Description
The Walter Shorenstein Fellowship in Media and Democracy brings high-profile figures in media, politics, and public policy to the Shorenstein Center at Harvard Kennedy School. Fellows engage with students, faculty, scholars, and the public on important issues of the moment, contributing their expertise to consequential questions in American public life. The fellowship honors Walter Shorenstein’s legacy of leadership, philanthropy, and political engagement.
The broader Shorenstein Fellows Program brings together journalists, technologists, creators, scholars, policymakers, and political practitioners to explore how essential information is created, conveyed, and consumed. Fellows pursue independent projects developed with the Center and produce original work that advances public understanding of the information ecosystem. Community engagement includes events, student mentoring, and advising on Center projects.
