Keri Putnam
Walter Shorenstein Media & Democracy Fellow
Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023
Walter Shorenstein Media & Democracy Fellowship
The Walter Shorenstein Fellowship in Media and Democracy was established in honor of Walter Shorenstein, the developer, philanthropist and longtime supporter of the Shorenstein Center whose original gift helped establish the Center in 1986. The fellowship brings high-profile figures in the areas of media, politics and public policy to the Shorenstein Center to engage with students, faculty, scholars and the public on important issues of the moment.
The fellowship was funded by a $5 million gift from Walter Shorenstein’s son, Doug Shorenstein, and his wife, Lydia Shorenstein. Created to honor Walter Shorenstein’s legacy of visionary leadership, philanthropy and political engagement, the fellowship reflects his commitment to addressing consequential issues in American public life.
Walter Shorenstein Fellows spend varying periods of time at Harvard, engaging with the Kennedy School community and contributing their expertise to issues of public importance.
Past Walter Shorenstein Fellows
Yevgenia Albats
Russian investigative journalist, political scientist, author and radio host
Walter Shorenstein Media & Democracy Fellow
Spring 2024, Fall 2023
Brian Stelter
nationally recognized media reporter and expert on the state of journalism
Walter Shorenstein Media & Democracy Fellow
Fall 2022
Megan Smith
entrepreneur, engineer, and tech evangelist
Walter Shorenstein Media & Democracy Fellow
Fall 2025, Spring 2025, Fall 2024
Julia Angwin
Director, Independent Media + Audience Project
Aneesh Chopra
technology and public policy leader
Walter Shorenstein Media & Democracy Fellow
Spring 2015
Nick Sinai
government technology and innovation expert
Walter Shorenstein Media & Democracy Fellow
Spring 2015
Bob Schieffer
broadcast journalist
Walter Shorenstein Media & Democracy Fellow
Fall 2016, Spring 2016, Fall 2015
Rick Stengel
journalist and public diplomacy expert
Walter Shorenstein Media & Democracy Fellow
Spring 2017
Maria Hinojosa
journalist and media entrepreneur
Walter Shorenstein Media & Democracy Fellow
Spring 2019, Fall 2018
Tom Wheeler
technology and communications policy expert
Walter Shorenstein Media & Democracy Fellow
Spring 2018, Fall 2017