On November 6, 2023, more than 1,200 journalism students and advisers gathered on the Columbia University campus for the 83rd Annual CSPA Fall Conference. Both in-person and virtual options were available.
The one-day conference is an opportunity primarily for local and regional schools to attend. This year, CSPA offered more than 60 in-person sessions focused on multiple publication types and disciplines, and on topics ranging from interview techniques to identifying fake news to persona writing. Conference registration also included access to a library of 22 live-streamed sessions, which were available on-demand after the event.
Sessions addressed areas with different experience levels as well. PressPassNYC’s Lara Bergen’s presentation, "How to Build Your Foundation," outlined how to start a journalism program from basically nothing, and CSPA Chair of Judging Standards Kathy Zweibel’s presentation, “Adviser Problem-Solving Tips,” was geared toward advisers at all levels of experience.
CSPA also welcomed career photojournalist David Berkwitz, who presented his stunning array of work across time zones and war zones, and NewsGuard’s Eric Effron, who instructed students on misinformation and disinformation. PictGen.ai's Michael Uffer discussed the impact of AI in image generation in media.
For the student perspective on the conference, we invite you to read this wrap-up from the Knight Crier, North Penn Journalists attend Columbia Univ.
CSPA would like to thank the Reckson Foundation, for its generous support of students to attend the conference through the Greenman Leadership Grant Program. CSPA also thanks all our attendees, who as always make our events a success. The association will be posting registration information on the 100th Annual Spring Convention in the coming weeks.
