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Journalism | Periodismo

Journalism is an integral part of Under the Volcano’s three-week January residency. With inaugural leadership from Ginger Thompson, the program views investigative journalism as a crucial way to expose injustice and misinformation on both sides of the border.

We welcome working reporters committed to telling stories that matter, including applicants writing from or about areas of conflict or crisis. By bringing journalists together across borders in a community that also includes poetry and novelists, Under the Volcano offers solidarity, community, professional guidance and ongoing connection to accomplished peers.

Taken as a whole, our journalism program and masterclasses in literary non-fiction embody our commitment to what we call Writing of Witness and our core belief in freedom of expression.

Who's Who
in Journalism @UTV

GINGER THOMPSON, Chief of Reporters at ProPublica
David Barstow, formerly of the New York Times & Pulitzer Prize winner.
Alejandra Xanic, co-founder of Quinto Elemento, Mexico’s independent incubator for investigative journalism & Pulitzer Prize winner;

Tyrone Beason, senior reporter at the Los Angeles Times;

Alicia Quiñones, coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean of PEN International;

Alfredo Corchado, Mexico City Bureau Chief of the Dallas Morning News;

Angela Kocherga, news director and a correspondent for public radio station KTEP and professor of journalism at the University of Texas at el Paso.

What makes our journalism program unique

Early to mid-career journalists live and work alongside novelists, poets and writers of literary non-fiction, sharing meals, ideas and work-in-progress
Participants brainstorm, source and develop a full investigative piece that takes their voice (and byline) to the next level
While sessions are taught in English, the journalism master class is bilingual and open to working reporters in either Spanish or English
One-on-one mentoring is provided in each writer’s native language
Full and partial financial support is available to qualified applicants (talent + need)
Writers of color especially encouraged to apply

The passion behind the headlines…

Faculty member David Barstow and Breen Fellow Karla María Gutiérrez on why journalism matters.

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Journalism Fellowships

We currently offer three full fellowships to our journalism master class—two for Mexican reporters in honor of Robert L. Breen, and the Truthteller fellowship for an English-language reporter. In addition, the International Women’s Media Foundation, through their Howard G Buffett Fund for Women Journalists, has agreed to cover tuition for two women or non-binary reporters once accepted to the program. Our Black Writers Matter Fund offers sliding scale support to qualified Black applicants (talent + need).

The Robert L. Breen Distinguished Journalist Speakers Series

Established with a generous gift from Mark and Sue Real, this series brings seasoned reporters from Mexico and the United States to Under the Volcano to share their expertise with the journalism master class, the general public and other interested program participants.
The Changing Face Of Journalism
Alejandra Xanic Co-Founder, Quinto Elemento Lab, Mexico City. Recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for Investigative...
The Science of Narrative
Deobrah Blum Director, Knight Science Writing Program, MIT Guest presenter, UTV 2021 Acclaimed science...
Tools of Transparency
Steve Fisher Mexico-based investigative reporter with a focus on criminal justice and organized crime....
The Work is What Matters
Alice Driver Independent journalist based between Mexico City and Arkansas. Author of More or Less Dead:...
Reporting From The Ground Up
Dudley Althause Independent reporter covering Mexico, Latin America and beyond for over three decades....
Interviewing and Trauma
Marcela Turati Co-Founder, Quinto Elemento Lab, Mexico City. Award-winning investigative journalist based...
Telling The Story
Carrie Kahn National Public Radio’s correspondent for Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America. Prize-winning...

Recent Work by Our Journalism Alumni

in their own words

Testimonials

“I got my first Mexico dateline! I couldn’t have done this reporting if not for the help and encouragement of my colleagues at UTV. It doesn’t get much better than that.”

Gabriel Sandoval

Queens, New York

“En tiempos oscuros para el mundo, Under the Volcano fue oasis y refugio para mí y mis letras. Ahora me siento parte de una verdadera comunidad de escritura con integrantes de todo el mundo.”

Karla María Gutiérrez

Chiapas, Mexico

“As an independent journalist working on a labyrinthine project, I received invaluable guidance from Alfredo and Angela when I was unsure about the roads that lay ahead.”

Rebecca George

Brooklyn, New York