Fara Warner was named the new executive director of the University of Rhode Island’s Metcalf Institute, which provides professional development training to science communicators.
“The Metcalf Institute’s primary work is professional development training for both journalists and researchers, who are also science communicators,” Metcalf Program Director Katherine McDuffie said.
As program director, McDuffie designs and implements programs that carry out the mission of the institution. Metcalf’s goal is to provide training that contributes to journalists having evidence-based conversations surrounding science and environmental topics.
The institute also works with researchers who may not have a background in communications to better present their research to general audiences.
Warner is an award-winning journalist who has a background in environmental journalism as well as working with nonprofits. Previous to accepting this role, Warner worked at Solutions Journalism Network, which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to evidence-based reporting on social problems.
Warner also brings experience from her roles as vice president of custom content, global content director at the Wall Street Journal Custom Studios and as an editorial director at AOL Inc.’s Tech, Business, and Entertainment group.
“She’s got a great mix of experiences that fit really well with our mission,” McDuffie said. “She’s really motivated to do the kind of work that Metcalf does, and she’s interested in professional development training — particularly in the area of climate change for journalists.”
Warner met Sunshine Menezes, the current executive director of Metcalf, two years ago. Menezes reached out to Warner about professional development training through Solutions Journalism, and Warner was able to work with Metcalf this past January.
A few months later, Warner received an email from the Society of Environmental Journalists, advertising Metcalf’s new open position.
“When I read about the position, I thought ‘this feels like me,’” Warner said. “I was really ready for a new adventure, and was looking for an opportunity where I could lead.”
Warner will be starting her new position on Nov. 20, and is already thinking about her goals going forward with the Institute.
“My first and foremost goal, particularly for the coming year, is to do everything we’re doing with as much grace and respect that Sunshine and her team have already done,” Warner said.
After continuing to maintain the excellence in what Metcalf currently does, Warner wants to expand the institute and provide more opportunities for journalists and scientists. She wants to expand Metcalf’s network and better communicate what the institute does to a wider audience.
“I’d like us to think not only on the individual journalist level that we’ve been doing, but also what we can do at the newsroom level,” Warner said. “Also I’d like to think about what we can do by bringing groups of newsrooms together, particularly to cover climate and the environment.”
In addition to her ideas on how to further the work that Metcalf is doing, Warner is also excited to move to Rhode Island and work on a college campus.
“I love being on college campuses,” Warner said. “You walk around and it feels like people are thinking and are engaged, and it’s like an open book.”
Warner expressed excitement about the landscape of Rhode Island, far different from Utah, where she grew up in the mountains and New York, where she currently lives. She enjoys taking walks along the beach, and wants to get more involved in ocean activities such as kayaking.