AlgorithmWatch is running a new round of its Algorithmic Accountability reporting fellowship
You can now apply to the fourth round of AlgorithmWatch's Algorithmic Accountability Reporting Fellowship. Running since January 2023, the program has connected journalists and researchers from across Europe and unveiled new stories about automated discrimination on the continent.
This application call is now closed.
Starting in October 2024, the new cohort of fellows will have six months to work on their research. Candidates from fields other than journalism are welcome to apply. We expect at least one journalistic story, research report, audio or video feature, or similar to be included in the outcome of each proposal. The application deadline is 15 September 2024 23:59 CET.
In this round, we will focus on the political economy of Artificial Intelligence (AI) such as generative AI or recommender systems: our goal is to understand how the AI value chain is constructed and how it impacts society, both broadly and on specific population groups. Possible areas of research could be:
- Conflicts around infrastructure: Data centers and communication cables are causing conflicts with local communities around water and electricity consumption, space, pollution. Who is impacted and how?
- Data extractivism: AI models require massive amounts of data. How are European companies involved in the violation of rights for data extractivism along the value chain? Where is the data taken from? Who labels and polishes it? Are there any groups of people susceptible to having their rights violated in this line of work (e.g. young people or migrants)?
- Rights violations of people along the value chain: How are the rights of people working to build AI (e.g. click workers) affected? What about people working on the other side of the AI value chain (i.e. platform workers)? Are there people overly susceptible to doing this work and to having their rights violated as a result (e.g. young people or migrants)?
- The TESCREAL ideology: TESCREAL is a bundle of ideologies linked to the far-right and pervasive in the corporate world of AI (see Gebru and Torres, 2024). How are followers of the TESCREAL ideology organized in Europe? Who are their champions in politics and in the administration? And who is fighting them? In other words, how is the far right linked to AI policy in Europe?
- AI as national security: Governments increasingly see themselves as running a new arms race, this time with AI. How does this thinking impacts society at large? Can data centers or other technological constructions be militarised? How is nationalism creeping into tech?
We encourage applicants to propose stories or research plans based on real-life cases in Europe related to any of these topics (we are not looking for theoretical approaches). This call for application is different from the automated decision-making angle we have previously focused on in our reporting fellowships, but we believe it is closely related to algorithmic accountability. The power structure, be it physical or ideological, underpinning the development of AI, needs to be scrutinized.
During the selection process, we will evaluate potential connections between the proposals and may suggest shortlisted candidates to work jointly with other fellows. This is a suggestion and not a requirement.
We will host two Q&A sessions on Zoom to solve doubts and further questions on 14 August at 10:00 CET and 4 September at 18:00 CET. Please find the link to each meeting attached to the respective date.
What to expect
The fellowship will start on 15 October 2024 and end on 15 April 2025.
We will choose 5 or 6 applicants that will receive a total of 7.800€ (gross) each to conduct their research.
Fellows will be free to choose the media outlet for the publication and also decide whether they wish to sell their stories. They can otherwise be published on AlgorithmWatch’s platforms. The fellowship includes outreach support. The fellowship will also provide mentorship sessions with AlgorithmWatch team members ― besides journalists ― and external researchers in the algorithmic accountability field.
Fellows will also be invited to attend and/or participate in an investigative conference at the end of the fellowship period to present their work and meet the rest of the team in person.
Who can apply
Any person above 18 is welcome to apply. We very strongly encourage persons from minoritized or marginalized groups and communities to apply.
Applicants do not need to have a background in computer science. Just like you do not need a degree in climate science to report on the climate crisis, the effects of automated systems can be researched by non-technical people. We do expect people who apply to be familiar with the algorithmic field and have some experience with writing.
Applicants do not have to be professional journalists. We welcome people who are not professional journalists to apply, especially but not limited to PhD students, civic-minded technologists, activists, librarians and/or community organizers.
There are, however, some requirements the applicants must fulfil:
- Residence in a country of the European Union, or in an EFTA country (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland), or in a candidate country, or in a former country of the EU.
- Written English at a B2 level in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
- A very strong interest in the topic of algorithmic accountability and automated decision-making.
- A commitment to complete the research within the timeline of the fellowship.
How to apply
Please take into account the following guidelines before completing your proposal:
APPROACH TO THE RESEARCH
Here we are asking you to provide an overview of the story you’d like to research, your research plan and goals. The central topic of the fellowship is generative AI and the value chain it is built on. We are looking for research projects that:
- Focus on the political economy of AI (preferably in one of the categories described above).
- Take place in Europe.
- Take into account the impact of AI on society.
- Bring new information to light, or that provide the point of view of people who are rarely given a voice in the debates on AI.
What we are not looking for:
- Information on commercialisation and manufacturing of tech products, such as hardware (e.g. “Nvidia releases new version of microchips”).
- Major tech announcements without researching its impact on society (e.g. “Meta plans to open a data center in X”).
- Theoretical and/or academic research (e.g. “What is the political economy of AI”).
We will positively value stories that not only reflect the social impact of this structure, but also provide practical cases and real examples that are already influencing or affecting people at an individual or collective level.
Please read the FAQ section listed below. If you have further doubts on whether your proposal fits the scope of the fellowship, please send us an email to bellio@algorithmwatch.org.
FAQs
Are you offering an employment contract?
No. The allowance is paid on invoices. If fellows are unable to invoice, we will work with them to find a solution.
Who will own the copyright to the reporting I do?
You will have to publish it under a CC-BY license.
Will I work together will AlgorithmWatch?
Yes. AlgorithmWatch will coordinate the work of the fellows, and fellows will be invited to connect with other members of the organization.
Will I work together with other fellows?
Yes, it is an option and we strongly encourage applicants to propose joint projects. We will also hold at least one monthly meeting.
Will there be in-person meetings?
Yes. Fellows will meet together at least once, most likely in a journalism conference taking place in 2025.
Do you provide office space for fellows?
No.
Can I participate in the fellowship for less than 7 months?
We expect fellows to complete the full 7 months of the program, but we can offer some flexibility.
Do I have to publish in English?
No. You can publish in your own language, but communication within the fellowship is in English.
Is there an age limit?
Anyone above 18 is welcome to apply.
Can I apply although I’m not a journalist?
Yes.
Can I apply if I’m a student?
Yes.
Can I apply if I do not have a work permit (e.g. asylum-seeker)?
Yes, but you should check that you are allowed to take part in such a program.
What countries are EU members, former members, candidates or EFTA coutries?
Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Kingdom.
Can I apply if I live outside of these countries?
No.
Can I apply if I’m a national of these countries but don’t live there at the moment?
No.
Can I work on stories besides the main investigation during the fellowship?
We are open to working with the fellows on other stories for an additional remuneration. These would be discussed on a case-by-case basis. The fellowship is not exclusive to other reporting grants or programmes.
Will AlgorithmWatch reimburse the travel expenses I incur?
This can also be discussed on a case-by-case basis if needed.
AlgorithmWatch is an advocacy organization. Will I have to do advocacy?
No. Reporting and advocacy are separated activities.