Kristen de Jager, a graduating Master of Journalism student at the University of British Columbia, has been selected for a prestigious 2026 CBC News Scholarship.
The four-month, in-person program places emerging journalists in national programming units in Toronto and in regional newsrooms across the country.
It provides hands-on training that can lead to long-term opportunities within CBC.
De Jager credited the MJ program with preparing her to pursue the opportunity.
“The journalism program at UBC laid a foundation for reporting skills that I look forward to building throughout the rest of my career,” de Jager said.
“In my first year, technical skills like pitching, interviewing, chasing, and crafting stories were all lessons that I first learned in the classroom, and then got to apply in real-life newsrooms during my internships at CBC’s Just Asking and The Tyee.”
“A remarkable reporter and storyteller”
During her time at UBC, de Jager was recognized with the Jack Webster Foundation Student Journalism Award and the James L. and Donald A. Duncan Fellowship.
The awards recognise achievement in reporting and leadership. She also served as vice president (external) of the journalism student association and worked as both a research and teaching assistant at the school.
“I hope to leave the summer as a more thoughtful reporter who finds and tells stories that matter to the communities I'm reporting on”
“I’m delighted for Kristen but not at all surprised she was selected as a CBC News Summer Scholar,” said Dr. Kamal Al-Solaylee, JWAM director.
“It caps off an exemplary two years in the program for Kristen, who time and again proved to be a remarkable reporter and storyteller across multiple platforms. I’m sure we’ll be hearing more good news from her as her career takes off.”
Front Burner and CBC Ottawa
As a fellow with JWAM’s Global Reporting Program, de Jager completed fieldwork in Lesotho. She reported on the lived impacts of global policy and worked to amplify underrepresented voices.
Her experience, she said, shaped her approach to journalism.
This summer, she will be placed with Front Burner, CBC’s flagship daily podcast, and CBC Ottawa, where she will gain experience in audio journalism and political reporting.
“I hope to leave the summer as a more thoughtful reporter who finds and tells stories that matter to the communities I’m reporting on,” she said.
The CBC News Summer Scholarship is offered by CBC in memory of Joan Donaldson and Peter Gzowski to aspiring journalists from across the country.
Story by Huma Javeed
