Avian Flu? SARS? Bioterrorism?

The Next Big (Health) Crisis – And How to Cover It

A conference for journalists – Nov. 30-Dec. 2, 2006

Presented by
the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University

Sponsored by:
the Association of Health Care Journalists
and the Dart Foundation

Renowned scientists, public health officials and journalists will examine the threat of an influenza pandemic – and how to cover it – while sharing lessons learned in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, during the SARS outbreak and anthrax attacks.

The Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University will host the conference to address the challenges journalists face when covering a health crisis of local, national or global proportions.

Confirmed speakers include:

David Nabarro, senior U.N. systems coordinator for avian flu and influenza
Michael Osterholm, director, Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy
Peter Sandman and Jody Lanard, risk communicators
Glen Nowak, director of media relations, Centers for Disease Control
Stan Tiner, editor, The (Biloxi, Miss.) Sun Herald
Kathleen Carroll, executive editor and senior vice president, The Associated Press
John Pope, medical writer, The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune
Maggie Fox, senior science editor, Reuters
Christy Feig, CNN medical correspondent
Helen Branswell, medical reporter, The Canadian Press

Who should apply:

The conference is designed for working journalists from print, broadcast and online media with at least three years of journalistic experience. There are no conference fees and all meals are provided. Attendees will pay their own travel and lodging expenses. Seating is limited and we are trying for a diverse audience, so apply now for a spot.

To apply, send the following information by e-mail or postal mail to Stefanie Friedhoff at the Nieman Foundation (contact info below):

• a brief letter explaining your interest in attending the meeting
• three published/aired clips or other samples of your journalistic work (or URLs where we can download samples)

A limited number of travel stipends will be available for journalists who don’t have other support. If you need financial assistance for travel or lodging, please briefly tell us about your circumstances in your letter of application.

For more information on the conference and the application process, go to: www.nieman.harvard.edu/events/conferences/crisis2006

Send applications to:
Stefanie Friedhoff
Nieman Foundation for Journalism
1 Francis Ave
Cambridge, MA 02138:
phone: 617-496-8511
stefanie_friedhoff@harvard.edu