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The Atlantic has announced its first cohort of six early-career journalists for its yearlong 2026–27 editorial fellowship. The program aims to support emerging talent and enhance its journalism efforts. The fellows were selected from over 1,300 applicants and will begin next month.
The Atlantic has announced its inaugural class of six early-career journalists for the 2026–27 editorial fellowship program, marking the first cohort since 2020. The program aims to support emerging talent in journalism by embedding fellows within the newsroom to develop their skills and contribute to the publication’s reporting efforts.
The six fellows—Laney Crawley, Catherine Goodman, Nora Lowe, Jack Rodriquez-Vars, Jacob Smollen, and Katherine Weyback—were selected from more than 1,300 applicants. They will join The Atlantic’s newsroom starting next month for a yearlong program focused on journalism training, research, and editing support. Each fellow brings diverse academic backgrounds, including journalism, English, environmental studies, religion, and public affairs, with prior experience in various media outlets and research projects.
Laney Crawley, a recent UNC graduate, served as editor-in-chief of The Daily Tar Heel and interned at Apartment Therapy and People magazine. Catherine Goodman, from Emory University, managed arts sections and received awards for her arts journalism. Nora Lowe, from Amherst College, focused on environmental and science writing, with internships at NASA and Brookhaven National Laboratory. Jack Rodriguez-Vars, a Yale graduate, has covered homelessness and city politics for The Sacramento Bee and researched legal issues at Yale. Jacob Smollen, a Brown University alum, produced podcasts for Kansas City public radio and covered local politics. Katherine Weyback, from Columbia University, was valedictorian of her journalism program and has covered urban mobility and climate issues.
Why It Matters
This announcement signifies The Atlantic’s renewed commitment to fostering emerging journalistic talent through its fellowship program, which aims to diversify and strengthen its reporting capacity. The program’s return after a four-year hiatus reflects a broader industry trend of investing in early-career journalists to ensure a vibrant and innovative media landscape. For readers, the fellowship indicates ongoing efforts by The Atlantic to produce diverse, high-quality journalism by nurturing new voices.
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Background
The Atlantic’s fellowship program was previously active until 2020, after which it paused amid broader industry and organizational changes. The program’s revival aligns with a growing recognition of the importance of supporting early-career journalists, especially as the industry faces challenges such as economic pressures and evolving media consumption habits. The selected fellows’ backgrounds demonstrate a focus on diversity of experience and academic discipline, aligning with The Atlantic’s mission to produce nuanced, comprehensive reporting.
“We are excited to welcome this talented group of early-career journalists to The Atlantic. Their diverse perspectives and fresh ideas will enrich our journalism and help us better serve our readers.”
— The Atlantic Editor-in-Chief
What Remains Unclear
It is not yet clear how the fellows will be integrated into specific projects or which beats they will focus on during their year. Details about the program’s long-term funding and potential expansion remain undisclosed.
What’s Next
The fellows are scheduled to begin their placements next month, with orientation and initial assignments. The Atlantic will likely announce specific projects or reporting initiatives involving the fellows throughout the year. Additionally, the publication may evaluate the program’s success and consider future cohorts or expanded initiatives.
Key Questions
Who are the new fellows for The Atlantic’s 2026–27 program?
The six fellows are Laney Crawley, Catherine Goodman, Nora Lowe, Jack Rodriquez-Vars, Jacob Smollen, and Katherine Weyback, each with diverse academic and professional backgrounds.
When does the fellowship start?
The fellowship begins next month, with official start dates expected soon after the announcement.
Why was the fellowship program paused after 2020?
The specific reasons for the hiatus have not been publicly disclosed, but it was likely related to broader organizational and industry challenges faced during that period.
Will this fellowship be expanded in the future?
There has been no official statement about future expansion, but the revival suggests the program may continue or grow based on its success this year.
Source: The Atlantic
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