4th annual Templeton-Cambridge fellowships awarded to 10 noted journalists

NEW YORK, February 28 – Ten prominent journalists from the United States and the United Kingdom have been selected for the fourth annual Templeton–Cambridge Journalism Fellowships in Science & Religion. Widely praised since their launch in 2004, the fellowships include a program of research and scholarship at the University of Cambridge in England. The 2008 fellows were announced today by the New York office of the Templeton–Cambridge Fellowships, which are funded by the John Templeton Foundation of West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.

In the fellowship program, a diverse group of eminent journalists examine key areas in the broad field of science and religion through independent research as well as seminars and discussion groups, led by some of the world’s foremost physicists, cosmologists, and theologians, at the University of Cambridge. Fellows are provided a $15,000 stipend, a book allowance, and travel expenses.

“The fellowships provide some of the top journalists worldwide with an opportunity to engage in a rigorous and wide-ranging examination of the field of science and religion,” says Templeton–Cambridge Fellowships Co-director Fraser Watts, Reader in Theology and Science, University of Cambridge. “With the deeper understanding that they gain through the fellowship program, these journalists will be better able to promote a more informed public discussion of science and religion.”

The 2008 fellows represent a broad sweep from the field of journalism, a reflection, the program’s organizers say, of the extent of the current interest in science and religion. Included are journalists, editors, and correspondents from the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, Orlando Sentinel, Discover, New Republic, Slate.com, and three freelance writers.

The Templeton–Cambridge Journalism fellows named today are:

• Sandi Dolbee, Religion and Ethics Editor, San Diego Union-Tribune
• Tim Folger, Contributing Editor, Discover
• Marc Kaufman, National Desk Reporter, Washington Post
• Michael McGough, Senior Editorial Writer, Los Angeles Times
• Jeffery Paine, Freelance Writer
• Mark Pinsky, Religion Writer, Orlando Sentinel
• Mark Vernon, Freelance Writer
• Christine Whelan, Freelance Writer
• Emily Yoffe, Columnist, Slate.com
• Jason Zengerle, Senior Editor, New Republic