Kathryn Thier

in Prague, Brno and Bratislava (25-28 March, 2019)

How to connect investigative journalism and Solutions Journalism? How are both approaches similar and what’s needed for journalists to tell the “whole story”? This past March Kathryn Thier from the University of Oregon spoke about these topics on a visit to Central Europe at the invitation of Transitions.

Kathryn is a recognized expert and instructor of Solutions Journalism from the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication. She is the co-founder of  The Catalyst Journalism Project, through which she leads the Solutions Journalism Educators Academy. In cooperation with the Solutions Journalism Network, she created a curriculum for university instruction in Solutions Journalism. Before entering academia, Kathryn works for seven years as a reporter for the dailies Newsday and The Charlotte Observer.

While in the region, Kathryn lectured in Prague, Brno, and Bratislava. Her visit is part of a series of events with the goal of bringing top journalism practitioners to Central Europe to spread new views of the profession, boost the uptake of Solutions Journalism, and support reporters who have a thirst for innovative approaches.

Last year we welcomed Pulitzer prize winners Tina Rosenberg, co-founder of the Solutions Journalism Network (recording of her keynote HERE), and David Boardman, dean of the Klein College of Media and Communication at Temple University in Philadelphia and board chairman of SJN (recording of his keynote HERE).

Prague (25/3)

Monday, 25 March  – Hollar building of the Charles University Faculty of Social Sciences

Kathryn’s keynote speech was followed by a panel discussion on bringing the solutions perspective into reporting practices with Nikita Poljakov, deputy editor in chief of the business daily Hospodářské noviny. Nikita is also head of the project “Nejsi sám” (You are not alone), which uses the solutions approach to tackle the issue of male suicide. The main program will be followed by an informal wine reception. More in the event on Facebook.

Brno (26/3)

Wednesday, 27 March – Masaryk University Faculty of Social Studies

Bratislava (28/3)

Thursday, 28 March  – Comenius University and Pan-European University