Keerti Gopal, a Chicago-based Indian American reporter covering the intersections between climate change, public health and environmental justice at Inside Climate News, has won a fellowship from the Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting.
“So excited for this, thank you to the Ida B. Wells Society!” she posted on LinkedIn.
Gopal is one of 10 professional journalists chosen to participate in the society’s 2026 Fellowship Program, launched last year to help emerging journalists enhance their reporting skills and produce investigative projects by providing them with intensive training over the course of six months.
Previously, Gopal covered climate activism and movement repression, and completed a Fulbright-National Geographic Storytelling Fellowship in Taiwan, researching climate action and resilience.
A National Geographic Explorer, she has also received fellowships from the Solutions Journalism Network, The Lever, and the National Press Foundation. Gopal earned a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies from Northwestern University.
Ron Nixon, director of the Associated Press Local Investigative Reporting Program and one of the co-founders of the Society, noted that the 2026 cohort reflects the changing face of investigative journalism because it is largely composed of freelancers and individuals working for nonprofit newsrooms.
“This year’s class proves that some of the most vital watchdog reporting is now happening outside of traditional legacy outlets, and we are honored to support their efforts,” Nixon said.
After a virtual orientation session last week, the 2026 Fellows started attending the first of a series of weeklong training sessions in Atlanta on Feb. 22 with some of the news industry’s top investigative reporters and editors.
The fellowship is among professional development programs the Society offers to help increase the number of traditionally underrepresented voices in the ranks of investigative journalism, according to a society release.
Fellowships were awarded based on news reporting experience, applicants’ reporting philosophies, and the potential impact of investigative pitches applicants submitted.