Grist leadership is pleased to announce its new class of fellows, which will commence on May 5. Fellows spend a year on a specific beat working as reporters at Grist, and receive training and career development during their time in the newsroom.
“This moment in our nation’s history requires rigorous, authoritative journalism to hold power to account,” said Katherine Bagley, Grist’s editor in chief. “Our incoming class of fellows is filled with reporting talent and diverse perspectives that will undoubtedly bolster Grist’s coverage. We also hope the program continues to foster the next generation of exceptional environmental journalism leaders.”
Climate News Fellow Rebecca McCarthy will cover the intersection of climate change, policy, and politics. She worked as a freelance science writer, a bartender, and in independent publishing for many years before returning to school to finish her bachelor’s degree in 2024. Her work has appeared in The New Republic, The Baffler, Philadelphia Magazine, Yale 360, and many other outlets. She’s an editor at Full Stop and lives in Philadelphia with her husband and stepson.
Indigenous Affairs Fellow Miacel Spotted Elk (Navajo / Northern Cheyenne) will cover Indigenous communities across the U.S. and the world. A journalist based in Salt Lake City and a lifelong resident of Utah, her reporting has focused on tribal affairs and Indigenous issues in the western U.S. She has also worked on podcasts including The Alaska Myth, which focused on Native Alaskan history, and was a Periplus 2023 fellow. Her work has appeared in publications such as High Country News, Mother Jones, In These Times, and The American Prospect.
Climate Solutions Fellow Sophie Hurwitz will cover the people, companies, and governments implementing climate solutions. Hurwitz splits their time between St. Louis and New York City, and has previously worked for Mother Jones, New York magazine, and the St. Louis American.
The Grist Fellowship Program is a paid opportunity for early-career journalists to hone their skills at a national news outlet and deepen their understanding of environmental issues. The experience is designed to give these journalists the skills and tools to succeed in climate and enviromental media.
Grist offers real-world experience at a fast-paced news site, training in a variety of skills key to a journalism career, and exposure to the leading sustainability thinkers and theories of our time. Past fellows have gone on to outlets including The New York Times, CNN, The Atlantic, Capital B, Politico, Investigate Midwest, The Verge, Wirecutter, Outside, Atlas Obscura, Greentech Media, and of course, Grist.
