The Walrus Fellowship Program

The Walrus has an educational mandate and is invested in the idea that a healthy society relies on informed citizens. Every year, The Walrus Fellowship Program trains emerging journalists and media professionals in the art and science of fact checking, editing, and the production process as well as gaining a keen understanding of nonprofit management. This program exists to nurture and develop the next generation journalists, editors, and storytellers who have the skills to produce well-researched, trustworthy, and fact-based journalism.

The fellowship program is made possible by the generosity of individuals, foundations, and companies that are invested in training tomorrow’s reporters, editors, and storytellers. We thank the following philanthropists and companies for their investment in the future of journalism:

  • Adventure Canada
  • Birks Family Foundation
  • Cannonbury Foundation
  • CIBC Foundation
  • Chawkers Foundation
  • Justice Fund
  • Journalists for Human Rights
  • Power Corporation of Canada
  • McLean Foundation
  • TD Bank Group

Meet the Fellows

Filipa Pajevic

Power Corporation of Canada Senior Fellow

Filipa Pajevic is a journalist and fact checker based in Tkaronto/Toronto. Her work has appeared in the Toronto Star, The Guardian, CityLab, and other publications. She was a 2024 Fellow in Journalism and Health Impact at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto. Previously, she spent over 12 years in academic research and teaching as an economic geographer trained in urban studies. Filipa holds a PhD from McGill University and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Toronto. She has taught urban development theory and research methods, and mentored graduate students on research design and ethics. Passionate about sharing knowledge, she strives to inform the public through well-researched, factual and engaging journalism.
X: @filipouris

Arthur Dennyson Hamdani

Canadian Race Relations Fellow

Arthur Dennyson Hamdani is an early career journalist based in Toronto. Alongside writing, copy-editing, and fact-checking, he has experience as a photographer, illustrator, and graphic designer. His works have appeared in blogTO and Ricepaper Magazine. He was a mentee at a journalism mentorship program for BIPOC called Shared Bylines. Before The Walrus, he worked as a design editor at the University of Toronto’s student paper, The Varsity. He holds an honours bachelor’s of arts in journalism, English literature, and migration studies from U of T.

Mihika Agarwal

Cannonbury Fellow

Mihika is an Indian cultural journalist who writes about mental health, South Asian diaspora, film and television, and digital culture, among other things. She has worked in newsrooms in India, U.S., and Canada and her work has appeared in The New York Times, Hyperallergic, Chatelaine, The Georgia Straight, Architectural Digest, Vice, and more.
X: @itmemihika

Dhriti Gupta

Chawkers Fellow

Dhriti is a journalist and fact-checker based in Toronto. Before joining The Walrus, she spent a year reporting on education, culture, urban affairs and business for the Toronto Star. You can find more of her work in Maclean’s, The Local, Exclaim! and This Magazine, among others.
X: @dhritigupta

Makda Mulatu

CIBC Digital Fellow for Emerging Black Journalists

Makda Mulatu is a writer and podcaster based in amiskwaciwâskahikan, or Edmonton, Alberta. Her poetry, interviews, and culture writing have appeared in publications like Contemporary Verse 2, filling Station, and This Magazine, among others. From 2020-2023, she hosted and produced Glass Bookshop Radio, a literary podcast that connected readers with some of the most exciting authors and publishers in Canada. These days, you can find her talking about her favourite books on CBC Edmonton’s Radio Active or teaching figure skating at her community rink.

Where Are They Now?

Many of our past fellows have gone on to work at esteemed publications in senior positions. Some have even published their first books. Since its founding in 2003, The Walrus has been privileged to have worked with over 100 emerging media professionals and has witnessed their careers flourish. Here is a selection of past fellows and their recent activity:

  • Julia-Simone Rutgers, our inaugural Justice Fund Writer in Residence (2021/22), is now the Manitoba reporter for The Narwhal
  • Lucy Uprichard, our 2020/21 Chawkers Fellow, is now Editor-in-Chief at Maisonneuve
  • Leila El Shennawy, our 2021/22 Cannonbury Fellow, is now the Digital Editor at The Public Policy Forum
  • Tajja Isen, former fellow at The Walrus (2018/19), published Some of My Best Friends: Essays on Lip Service in 2022
  • Aimee Louw, our 2020/21 TD Fellow on Disability and Inclusion, is currently CBC Montreal’s City Columnist

Tobin Ng, former Chawkers Editorial Fellow, 2023/24

“Having the opportunity to talk through editorial decisions and collaborate with seasoned editors has been a deeply valuable experience, and I’m excited to further develop my editing skills after the fellowship.”

Current Opportunities

POSITIONS WE ARE CURRENTLY HIRING FOR:

  • The Walrus Editorial Fellowship (September 15 deadline)
  • The 2024 TD Fellowship on Disability and Inclusion (August 28 deadline)

The Walrus Editorial Fellowship

The Walrus provokes new thinking and sparks conversation on matters vital to Canadians. As a registered charity, we publish independent, fact-based journalism and produce national, ideas-focused events. The Walrus and its strong community of supporters are invested in the idea that a healthy society relies on informed citizens.

We are currently accepting applications for The Walrus Editorial Fellowship. This paid, one-year educational fellowship begins Monday, November 18, 2024. Two editorial fellowship positions are available.

Editorial fellows’ primary responsibility is to fact-check print and online stories that The Walrus publishes. Our fact checkers verify everything from broad claims to small details, such as dates and the spellings of names, using both interviewed and gathered sources. Fellows have the opportunity to attend story meetings, contribute to editorial-planning sessions, and shadow-edit articles. They receive seminars led by the editors, staff, and contributors to The Walrus, which include in-depth training in fact-checking and sessions on topics including copy editing, long-form editing, and feature writing. In addition to gaining journalistic training, Editorial fellows will also be able to participate in non-editorial aspects of the organization, such as events, development, etc.

Responsibilities

  • Fact-checking editorial content
  • Helping to review unsolicited submissions
  • Helping to select and prepare letters to the editor for publication
  • Supporting editorial and non-editorial departments at The Walrus as needed

Qualifications

  • Fluency in English (spoken and written)
  • Background in journalism is an asset
  • Strong research and critical-thinking skills
  • Ability to work independently and participate collaboratively in a team environment
  • Curiosity and a willingness to learn
  • Prior fact-checking experience is not required, but an understanding of editorial fact-checking methodology is an asset. The Truth in Journalism Fact-Checking Guide, written by current and former heads of research Allison Baker and Viviane Fairbank, is a helpful resource in this regard.

Compensation and Benefits

This one-year position pays $700 per week for a thirty-five-hour workweek. The Walrus supports hybrid and remote work, and offers a collaborative office environment in downtown Toronto. A laptop will be provided. Fellows receive ten days of annual vacation, plus statutory holidays. ​​We also have half-day summer Fridays and a week off over the winter holiday break.

How to Apply

Please send a cover letter, résumé, and up to two letters of reference to [email protected] with the following subject line: “Editorial Fellowship: [your name].” The deadline for applications is 11:59 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 15, 2024. Referees may send their letters to the applicant or directly to The Walrus. Interviews will take place over Zoom in mid-October. Candidates selected for an interview will be asked to complete an editorial and fact-checking test; a $50 honorarium is offered as compensation for the test. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

The Walrus is committed to diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in the workplace. We value employment equity and strongly encourage applications from Indigenous, Black, and racialized people; people with disabilities; people of all genders; and the LGBTQ2+ community. If you require any accommodation in the recruitment process, please let us know by email at [email protected].

As this is a full-time position, full-time students are ineligible and it is not recommended for part-time students, except in very limited circumstances. Applicants must be eligible to work in Canada to qualify. Thank you for your interest.

The 2024 TD Fellowship on Disability and Inclusion

The Walrus is accepting applications for the TD Fellowship on Disability and Inclusion. This role is open exclusively to media professionals with a disability. The senior fellowship position reports to the marketing manager and allows The Walrus to further incorporate inclusion as a pillar of our work and to reach audiences through media relations, events, and marketing. This is a fully paid nine-month opportunity for one senior fellow to work with the marketing, events, digital, and editorial teams to help plan, develop, and produce a range of marketing initiatives and content for The Walrus.

The TD Fellow on Disability and Inclusion serves three purposes: removing barriers for a media professional with a disability to work in the sector and gain direct and relevant experience; strengthening the capacity of The Walrus as an inclusive organization; and benefiting The Walrus audiences by exposing them to more critical content related to disability and inclusion. This is the fifth year that TD Bank Group has supported the TD Fellowship on Disability and Inclusion with this focus.

The successful applicant will receive education and training in every aspect of marketing at The Walrus, including developing marketing campaigns, producing copy for different marketing platforms, as well as executing tasks for events marketing, such as planning, community and media outreach, drafting marketing copy, and production. They will also have the opportunity to deepen media skills and networking by attending workshops and opportunities available to all fellows at The Walrus. The TD Fellow will learn about processes in the marketing department, such as creating and leading campaign briefs, brainstorming, conceptualizing and executing those briefs, newsletter and email production, advertising, and more.

Responsibilities

  • Produce marketing copy, including event descriptions, web ad copy, social media posts, media pitches, email marketing copy, and other promotional materials
  • Identify gaps and opportunities for brand awareness and for marketing The Walrus, with a focus on disability and inclusion
  • Research and reach out to media outlets, organizations, and new avenues and platforms to promote The Walrus and its offerings
  • Build and execute marketing communications to The Walrus audiences, external organizations, attendees, and speakers
  • Build reports on marketing initiatives for events and media coverage
  • Research topics related to Canada’s conversation and help curate content for marketing channels and events that is fresh, innovative, and exciting
  • Attend briefing meetings to learn about new events, products, campaigns, and stories.

Qualifications

  • Business Administration degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
  • A minimum of three years of proven success in an administrative/operational role
  • Must be familiar with Mac operating systems
  • Must be familiar with Google Suite and MS Office Suite
  • Excellent computer and office equipment skills, including Salesforce, Excel, and Xerox machines
  • Accounting and accounts receivable experience is an asset
  • Knowledge of how to troubleshoot common computer and IT issues

Skills Required

  • Bachelor’s or college degree or equivalent work experience
  • Excellent reading, writing, and communication skills
  • Strong organizational skills with an attention to detail
  • 3–5 years of experience in any or all these fields: content creation, marketing, digital, and/or media relations
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and/or Google Suite
  • Strong research and critical thinking skills
  • Ability to work independently and participate collaboratively in a team environment
  • Comfortable with balancing projects in a deadline-driven environment
  • Knowledge of database software and social media platforms is an asset
  • Experience using Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Audition, Animate), newsletter-building software, WordPress and basic HTML/CSS/JS is an asset.

Compensation and Benefits

This nine-month position pays $800 per week for a thirty-five-hour work week. The fellowship begins on October 15, 2024 and ends on July 11, 2025. The Walrus supports hybrid and remote work and offers a collaborative office environment in downtown east Toronto. A laptop is provided. Fellows receive 7.5 days of annual vacation, plus statutory holidays. ​​We also have half-day summer Fridays and a week off over the winter holiday break.

How to Apply

Please send a cover letter, résumé, and up to two letters of reference to [email protected] with the following subject line: “TD Fellowship on Disability and Inclusion: [First and last name].” The deadline for applications is 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, August 28, 2024. Referees may send their letters to the applicant or directly to The Walrus.

The Walrus supports diversity and inclusion in our work. This post is open specifically to people with disabilities. We value employment equity and strongly encourage applications from Indigenous, Black, and other racialized people; people of all genders; and the LGBTQ2S+ community. If you require any accommodation in the recruitment process, please let us know by email at [email protected].

The Walrus office is located in downtown Toronto, but our staff are based across Canada. This fellowship can be hybrid or remote. Applicants must be eligible to work in Canada to qualify. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Applicants who are invited to continue after the first interview will be asked to share examples of their work ahead of the second and final interview. Thank you for your interest.

Partner with Us to Secure the Future of Journalism

The Walrus Editorial Fellowship Fund allows philanthropists to support this annual program, and ensure the longevity of the fellowship year after year.

Donate directly to The Walrus Editorial Fellowship Fund by choosing “The Walrus Editorial Fellowship Fund” in the drop-down list.

Support The Walrus and commit to independent, fact-based journalism.

To enquire about full sponsorship for a Fellow with naming and recognition opportunities please contact email Laura Lavie, Development Director, at [email protected].