Careers

Call for Expression of Interest: Writer in Residence for PICS Climate Foresight Dialogue

The Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions requests expressions of interests for a Writer in Residence to cover innovative and emergent climate research through its Climate Foresight program. The writer will work on a temporary contract basis to cover an intensive three-day Dialogue retreat exploring models for community-owned infrastructure for decarbonization and climate transitions across British Columbia, Oct. 26 to 28 at the Galiano Inn on Galiano Island, BC.

1. Background

About PICS

The Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS) catalyzes and mobilizes research, partnerships, and knowledge that generate climate action in British Columbia and around the world. PICS is a multi-university institute encompassing the four major research-intensive universities in British Columbia: the University of Victoria, University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, and the University of Northern British Columbia.

In the face of accelerating climate challenge, PICS is increasing our investment in collaboration, research, and knowledge mobilization, guided by our Strategic Plan: 2024 and Beyond. Our work focuses on solutions to the most pressing climate issues facing people, communities, and the land. PICS is here to support B.C.’s collective capacity to act. PICS is a values-based organization committed to equity and to reconciliation, justice, diversity, and inclusion.

The Climate Foresight Dialogues

The Climate Foresight Program incubates new, cross-sectoral collaborations to generate transformative knowledge and solutions to complex climate challenges. Climate Foresight supports multidisciplinary teams of researchers and practitioners to hold intensive Dialogue retreats focused on collaboratively exploring emergent problems on the horizon of climate research and solution development.

Taking place over three days, the Climate Foresight Dialogues offer generative and experimental spaces to collectively define and explore emergent problems, and to co-develop programs of work in pursuit of transformative solutions. Dialogues are led by interdisciplinary teams anchored by researchers at one or more PICS universities. They bring together around 15 researchers and practitioners from across disciplines and sectors to collaboratively explore complex and emergent climate challenges, and to generate programs of work to address these challenges.

2. Collective Ownership of Climate Transition Infrastructure: October 26 to 28, Galiano Island, B.C.

The Dialogue retreat, “Planning for collective ownership of climate transition infrastructure in British Columbia”, aims to advance research and practice around community ownership and social financing models for the development and implementation of climate mitigation infrastructure at the local level. Climate transition infrastructure refers to various technologies and practices that facilitate emissions reductions, including but not limited to renewable energy sources like wind and solar, electric transmission lines, battery storage, and carbon dioxide removal. To date, the development and deployment of these technologies and practices have relied heavily on private investment and project initiation. However, this model too often perpetuates patterns of environmental exploitation and deepens social inequities by locking communities out of meaningful benefits and involvement. In contrast, collective ownership approaches center community self-determination, restoring agency to local groups in shaping their pathways to decarbonization, including energy systems, governance configurations, and decision making processes.

This Dialogue will convene approximately 15 scholars, practitioners, and knowledge holders to build on existing community ownership initiatives across various sectors. Participants will scope a research agenda to co-develop a roadmap for community-led climate infrastructure projects across British Columbia, which in turn can serve as a model for Canada more broadly. Through collaborative discussions, the Dialogue will explore alternative pathways for equitable energy and decarbonization transitions, focused on operationalizing meaningful community ownership of its assets and processes and scaling this model to support broader climate and justice goals.

3. Scope of Work: Writer in Residence

The Writer in Residence plays a critical role in the Dialogue. With general contextual knowledge of climate mitigation and clean energy issues, they summarize and translate the Dialogue insights in two compelling publications:

  • A profile piece of approximately 1,500 words, published on the PICS website for an informed lay audience, will highlight the overall significance of the problem area under exploration in the Dialogue, and illuminate why this issue matters for climate action in BC and beyond. The piece will be published on the PICS website under the writer’s byline, with advertising and publicity support from PICS Communications. Dialogue leads, participants, and PICS staff will be offered an opportunity to review the draft article for any corrections prior to publication.
  • A ghost-written opinion piece of approximately 800 to 1,000 words, targeted to a publication like The Conversation, The Narwhal, Canada’s National Observer, or a publication with a similar profile and audience, with authorship by the Dialogue’s academic leadership. 

All travel and accommodations for the Dialogue will be directly covered by PICS.

The Writer in Residence:

  • meets with Dialogue leads and PICS staff and conducts background reading as needed to develop a substantive understanding of the problem areas that the Dialogue seeks to address, the goals of the Dialogue, and the potential for transformative impact of future research and collaboration on this problem area;
  • works closely with PICS staff and Dialogue leads to determine the appropriate approach to consent, data ownership, data security, and intellectual property for documentation of the Dialogue and the subsequent publication;
  • attends the Dialogue retreat and documents the proceedings through detailed notes, in keeping with the above ethical approaches; and
  • conducts follow-up interviews, as needed, with Dialogue leads and participants in order to confirm or expand on insights from the Dialogue.
  • Publication 1 — PICS website — The writer:
    • prepares a compelling publication for review by Dialogue leads, participants, and PICS staff
      • ; and
    • manages the review process of the publication by Dialogue participants and PICS staff to ensure timely responses and publication.
  • Publication 2 — Opinion piece — The writer:
    • collaborates with Dialogue leads to ghost write an effective opinion piece that communicates the significance of the issue for climate action in BC; and
    • suggests target publications and issue framings, and supports the pitching, editorial, and publication process.

4. Qualifications

  • Background in science journalism and experience in research translation, science communication, and climate change.
  • Ability to work independently and manage publication processes and timelines.
  • Familiarity with relevant publications and pitching process for the op ed.
  • Familiarity with BC energy policy and/or cooperative ownership models a plus.

5. Timeline

Sept. 11, 2025, 11:59 p.m.: Deadline for expression of interest

By Sept 18, 2025: Potential applicants selected for an interview and notified via email

Sept 22 to 26, 2025: Interviews and selection process

By Oct 2, 2025: Applicant selected and notified, and contract prepared.

6. Submissions

Applicants should submit the following by Sept 11, 11:59 p.m., to Sara Nelson, PICS Climate Foresight Lead, at saranelson@uvic.ca, subject line, “Writer in Residence”:

  • 2 writing samples
  • Cover letter highlighting relevant experience (1 page)
  • Outline of your approach to the scope of work, including a timeline (2 pages)
  • Cost proposal – $6,000 to $10,000 is the expected contract range
  • Resume