Junior Journalism & Research Fellow

Overview

The Junior Journalism and Research Fellow supports the Peace Economy Project’s research and public education work related to militarization, public accountability, and community impact. This role is designed for early-career applicants or recent graduates who are interested in journalism, policy research, or advocacy and want hands-on experience in investigative and research-based work within a supportive, mentored environment.

Fellows work closely with senior researchers and editors to build foundational skills in research, writing, source evaluation, and issue analysis while contributing meaningfully to ongoing projects such as Domestic Militarization Watch.

Key Responsibilities

Research & Information Gathering

• Conduct background research on assigned topics related to militarization, policing, surveillance, or public policy
• Locate, summarize, and organize credible sources (government reports, academic articles, journalism, advocacy reports)
• Assist with fact-checking and verification
• Help compile timelines, issue briefs, and research summaries
• Support data collection and organization (spreadsheets, trackers, source logs)

Writing & Editorial Support

• Draft short research summaries, background memos, or preliminary write-ups
• Assist with editing and proofreading content for clarity and accuracy
• Help prepare material for reports, blog posts, or public-facing resources
• Revise drafts based on editorial feedback

Organizational & Collaborative Support

• Work collaboratively with fellows and staff using tools such as Google Docs, Slack, and Zoom
• Participate in check-ins, trainings, and mentorship meetings
• Help maintain organized research folders and documentation
• Support special projects as needed

Learning & Mentorship Opportunities

This fellowship emphasizes skill-building and guided learning. Fellows can expect to gain experience in:

• Journalism and investigative research fundamentals
• Evaluating sources and identifying credible evidence
• Writing for public audiences
• Understanding militarization and its social impacts
• Collaborative research workflows
• Ethical research and advocacy practices

Mentorship and feedback are provided throughout the fellowship.

Desired Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree or current student in political science, journalism, international relations, sociology, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• Strong interest in journalism, research, or public-interest work
• Basic research and writing skills
• Attention to detail and willingness to learn
• Ability to meet deadlines and communicate reliably
• Comfort working remotely
• Familiarity with Google Docs and basic digital tools

Nice to have (not required):

• Coursework or experience in political research, public policy, or advocacy
• Exposure to grassroots organizing
• Interest in investigative or accountability journalism

Time Commitment

• Approximately 5–10 hours per week
• Flexible scheduling
• Remote / virtual

Compensation

• This is a volunteer fellowship
• Includes mentorship, training, and professional development
• Letter of recommendation available upon successful completion