Do you regularly have informed opinions on a consistent topic? Do you enjoy writing, research and critical thinking? You could be one of The Ubyssey’s next opinion columnists.
A column is a series of opinion articles on a set subject published in a newspaper and written by the same person. They have the freedom to determine their own views and what specific topic they wish to write about, and the editor’s job is to assist them with developing ideas, edit drafts and perform fact-checking.
For example, The Globe and Mail's Andrew Coyne writes about federal and foreign politics. The Toronto Star's Social & Racial Justice Columnist Shree Paradkar writes about all things diversity and inclusion in public life. At The Ubyssey, we currently operate a column called Living the Institutions, where fourth-year philosophy student Marie Erikson writes about the institutions and norms that affect undergraduate life and learning at UBC.
While we welcome original ideas for new columns, we are especially interested in students writing columns about:
- the AMS, Senate and/or Board of Governors;
- the intersection of UBC communities and municipal, provincial, federal and Indigenous governments;
- internet cultures and campus; and
- the urban and architectural experience and design of campus.
No prior experience in journalism is needed. Editorial advice and training will be provided by the opinion editor. The only prerequisite is that your application demonstrates you are able to say something new, insightful and interesting about a UBC-relevant subject matter. We especially welcome and encourage applications from members of marginalized communities.
Columnists will be paid an honorarium of $30 per article, and can expect to write a minimum of four and a maximum of six articles between January and April 2025.
If a columnist wishes to continue their column into the next school year, that can be discussed over the summer upon mutual consensus between the columnist and opinion editor.
Please see this form to complete an application, and please send questions about columns or the application to Opinion Editor Spencer Izen at opinion[@]ubyssey.ca.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until they close on January 2, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Spread the word!
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