Alum John D. Sutter awarded Sharon Begley Award for Science Reporting

Congratulations to alum John D. Sutter, who was recently selected as the winner of the 2023 Sharon Begley Award for Science Reporting! Sutter graduated from the University of Utah's Master of Fine Arts in Film & Media Arts program earlier this year. 

Alan Boyle, a co-chair on the award's judging committee, stated, "In his reports about Earth's changing climate, John brings levels of doggedness, depth and sensitivity that clearly meet the standards set by Sharon (the award's namesake)-- who covered the climate issue extensively during her own career. We're proud to play a pivotal role in bringing BASELINE, John's grand journalistic project, to a global audience." 

Jan Windburn, former assistant managing editor of CNN Investigations and University of Georgia professor who recommended Sutter for the award, stated that Sutter is "a relentless reporter, a lyrical writer, a journalist undaunted by difficult subjects, corporate obstacles, and logistical challenges." Our own professor Emelie Mahdavian said of Sutter, "[he is] that rare example of someone with a gift for storytelling, a powerful intellect, and a compassionate and thoughtful attitude towards the world." Sutter is producing Mahdavian's current film (which she is directing), about a group of scientists on a trip to the ice shelf of Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica. 

According to Council for the Advancement of Science Writing, "The Sharon Begley Award grant will support the first installment of BASELINE, a documentary series that will follow children growing up on the front lines of climate change through the year 2050." The project was earlier supported by a National Geographic Society Explorer grant and a MIT Knight Science Journalism Project Fellowship. You can learn more about BASELINE here.