The Bold Type Fellowship
A journalism training opportunity for women in Scotland who want to write about sex, relationships, and gender with depth, care, and confidence
Sex and relationships are some of the most important and complex topics in our lives, but they’re often reported on in ways that feel sensationalist, judgmental, or lacking in real insight. The Bold Type Fellowship is for writers (aspiring or established) who want to change that — who believe that better conversations about sex and relationships start with better journalism.
This free, 9-month training programme (running from June 2025 to March 2026) is designed for self-identifying women based in Scotland, aged 18+, who have faced financial difficulties and want to develop their journalism and writing skills in a supportive, inclusive space.
Relationships shape every aspect of our world — from public health and education to activism and community initiatives — yet too often, the people most affected by these issues are excluded from shaping the narratives around them. The Bold Type Fellowship is about widening the scope of who gets to write about sex and relationships, ensuring more voices are heard and more perspectives are represented.
More than a training programme, this is a movement to democratise media and foster better, more responsible journalism.
What you’ll get
Expert-led workshops (see details below) on writing well-researched, compelling stories about sex and relationships
A paid publication opportunity (£100 for a final article, 800-1000 words)
Editorial mentorship from Iris Pase (founding editor of Pillow Talk Scotland) and Alessandra Vescio (journalist, author, and a trustee at Pillow Talk Scotland)
Practical experience in interviewing, research, and data analysis — skills essential for professional journalism
A network of writers committed to challenging stigma and improving media representation of women’s experience
The workshops (and their hosts)
Learn from experienced journalists how to report on sex, relationships, and gender with depth, accuracy, and care.
More workshops to be announced soon!
So, you want to write about shagging
Led by Dayna McAlpine (Deputy Editor, HuffPost UK)
How do you write about sex and relationships in ways that are engaging, honest, and free from clichés? This workshop explores idea generation, tone, audience, and ethical considerations when reporting on intimacy and sexuality.
Data journalism for beginners
Led by Petra Matjevic (Data Investigator, Global Witness)
Data tells powerful stories. This session introduces how to find, interpret, and use data in your writing — whether you’re reporting on sexual health, relationship trends, or gender inequality.
Copywriting for social media
Led by Erika Marzano (Audience Manager, Deutsche Welle)
How do you make journalism engaging for digital audiences? This workshop teaches strategies for social media writing that ensure your stories reach and resonate with more people.
Who it's for
This fellowship is for self-identifying women aged 18+, based in Scotland, who:
Have experienced financial barriers
Are passionate about storytelling, even without formal journalism experience
Want to explore issues around sex, relationships, gender, and stigma in a thoughtful, evidence-based way
Whether you’ve never written for a publication before or have been journalling for years, we want to hear from you.
How to apply
The application is simple and open until 25 May 2025. We’ll let applicants know the outcome by 9 June 2025.
You don’t need any formal qualifications — just interest, enthusiasm, and the time to attend four online workshops and work on your final article.
This fellowship is made possible thanks to funding from the Women's Fund For Scotland.
We use cookies to improve your experience and to help us understand how you use our site. Please refer to our cookie notice and privacy statement for more information regarding cookies and other third-party tracking that may be enabled.
