Shared Seas, Shared Stories
Wednesday, 14 Oktober | 4.30–6.00 pm | Herrenhausen Palace
This session has been organized with the support of Journalismfund.
- Burak Altinok, freelance journalist, Turkey
- Franziska Grillmeier, freelance journalist, Germany
- Barbara Celis, freelance journalist, Italy
- Alec Saelens, Journalism Fund, Belgium [Moderator]
Shared Seas, Shared Stories brings together three cross-border journalism investigations into systemic pressures on marine ecosystems across Europe. Through case studies on eutrophication, seagrass loss, and wider Mediterranean pressures, the session explores how international teamwork strengthens evidence-based storytelling and advances science reporting. Speakers will share practical lessons on collaboration, sharing data, science translation, and audience engagement across borders.
Burak Altınok
Burak Altınok is an Istanbul-based multimedia freelance journalist. His work focuses on investigative and long-form reporting on environmental degradation, food systems, industrial pollution, and the social impacts of state and corporate policies.
Franziska Grillmeier
Franziska Grillmeier is a freelance journalist, reporting for German and international outlets including Süddeutsche Zeitung, Panorama Nyheter, and BBC. She produces award-nominated podcasts, published The Island (C.H.Beck, 2023), and reports on the consequences of forced displacement and the climate crisis in Europe.
Barbara Celis
Barbara Celis is a journalist with over twenty years‘ experience working internationally as a freelance correspondent in New York, London, Taipei and Rome. Her work combines narrative journalism with in-depth investigation.
Alec Saelens [Moderator]
Alec Saelens is the Journalism Fund’s project coordinator for the European Local Cross-Border grant programme. He focuses on fostering cross-border partnerships and developing sustainable models that support impactful, evidence-driven reporting.