Ruth First Fellowship 2021 at University of Witwatersrand (Stipend Available)

The Ruth First Fellowship is a prestigious award made by the University of Witwatersrand that enables journalists, writers, researchers, film makers, or photographers to pursue in-depth projects that can be presented in ways that influence thinking, discussion and debate in South Africa.

The goal is to support a new generation of public intellectuals capable of immersing themselves deeply in the most pressing issues and ideas of the day, engage in original research and to tell great stories – presenting their work in ways that can engage a new generation of audiences.

Ruth First was a journalist, activist, researcher and intellectual. She was assassinated in exile by the apartheid government. The fellowship is intended to allow Fellows to pursue an in-depth project of original research. It should be ground-breaking and in keeping with the tradition of Ruth First’s politically and socially relevant research and journalism.

“The 2021 Theme is Big Tech and the Public Sphere”

Benefits

• Fellows will receive a monthly stipend and research costs.

Eligibility

• Open to journalists, writers, researchers, film makers or photographers.
• Applicant must be resident in South Africa.
• They will be expected to devote at least 50% of their time in April-July 2021 to the Fellowship.
• They will work at the Annual Ruth First Memorial Lecture in August and to submit it for publication in appropriate forums.

How To Apply

Applicants should submit their CV, a project proposal (of no more than two pages) outlining what their focus will be and a motivation letter (one page) by Friday, 16 April to the Ruth First Committee at ruthfirstfellowship@gmail.com.

For more information, visit Ruth First Fellowship

Application Deadline: April 16, 2021