Based in New York as the investigative projects editor at Reuters, Blake Morrison has overseen and edited three projects that were finalists for the Pulitzer Prize: The Child Exchange, an investigation of America’s underground market for adopted children; The Echo Chamber, a special report that revealed how a handful of lawyers came to have an outsized influence in the U.S. Supreme Court; and Cheat Sheet, an investigation of how standardised tests used by universities to determine whom to accept have been compromised by rampant and systematic cheating and other security failures. Projects he has overseen have also resulted in decades of jail time for individuals whose wrongdoing the Reuters investigations exposed. Prior to joining Reuters, Blake served as the investigations editor, deputy enterprise editor and investigative reporter at USA TODAY. His investigation of the impact of industrial pollution on schoolchildren spurred the U.S. government to launch a $2.25 million project to examine the air outside more than 60 schools across the nation. The reporting earned honours including the Grantham Prize, a Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism, the Fourth Estate Award, the America’s Promise Journalism Award, the Kevin Carmody Award for Outstanding Investigative Reporting, the Fred M. Hechinger Grand Prize, the John B. Oakes Award and the Philip Meyer Journalism Award. Before joining USA TODAY, Blake spent six years as a beat reporter, investigative reporter and editor at the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
Summer School of Investigative Reporting 2024 Sessions
Let’s investigate: Sparking Curiosity and Creativity in Investigative Journalism:
This interactive presentation is designed to reignite our curiosity and creativity in the field of investigative journalism.
Generating Story Ideas, How to Investigate While Covering a Beat:
We will focus on how to generate compelling story ideas and conduct in-depth investigative work while covering a beat.
The Art of the Interview. Techniques, Strategies and Finding Your Own Style
This session will explore the techniques and strategies essential for conducting effective interviews. From developing a personal interviewing style to navigating difficult conversations.
Mastering the Pitch. Ways to Focus Your Story Ideas, Avoid Over-Promising and Imagine What Success Looks Like
Learning how to refine and focus your story ideas to create pitches that resonate with editors and audiences alike.
Refining Your Pitches: Applying Lessons from This Week:
Building on lessons learned throughout the week, this final session will guide participants in crafting a compelling pitch that captures the essence of the story.