Two faculty members from Northwestern University in Qatar will join a panel discussion that examines the role of women in journalism.

Organised by the Qatar Professional Women’s Network, the event, on February 1, is part of ongoing efforts to support the development of future women leaders and contribute to the sustainability of the local community through networking and professional development.

Entitled, “Educating Women as Professional Journalists: a Journey in Empowerment,” the event is billed as an engaging discussion dedicated to women in journalism.

It will feature Janet Key, assistant professor at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism in Qatar, and Mary Dedinsky, an associate professor. They will be joined by a third panel member, still to be confirmed.

Key, who will discuss Northwestern University’s efforts to give women a voice, highlighted her own experience teaching and mentoring the next generation of women journalists for the region.

 “It is an absolute pleasure to see them change and say things like, “Yes, I can do this. I can produce material that is aired on CNN or Al Jazeera,” she said. “It’s so incredibly empowering for them. That’s the joy of teaching.”

Dedinsky, who will discuss the struggles, challenges and opportunities for Northwestern University journalism students in Qatar, said: “In the book Qatari Voices, the authors talk about a ‘hinge generation,’ which is about balancing tradition with modernity. Our students stand at the forefront of this transition where they are required to balance the competing demands of family, culture and profession.

"The women I am teaching are trailblazers and they will tell their stories and the stories of this region in a powerful way."

Dedinsky, a seasoned editor and reporter, was the first woman to be named managing editor of a major US newspaper, the Chicago Sun-Times.  She also has served as a juror for the Pulitzer Prize.

Key has taught enterprise reporting in the Middle East for 10 years. She has worked for more than 25 years as a journalist for news outlets that include United Press International, Newsweek, The New York Times, Business Week and the Chicago Tribune.

The panel discussion will take place from 6-9 pm in The Forum, at Northwestern University in Qatar, located in the Carnegie Mellon Building, in Education City. It is free and open to women only. - TradeArabia News Service