10 voices for insightful education journalism: The Nina Grunenberg Fellows 2026
The jury has selected ten journalists, editors and media professionals who want to take an in-depth look at the German school system. Since 2024, Publix has been awarding the “Nina Grunenberg Fellowship”, thereby creating opportunities for in-depth research and new perspectives on the German education system and the media coverage of it.
After all, teacher shortages, educational inequality and the mental health challenges faced by students are all symptoms of structural problems. What is often overlooked in media coverage? Context rather than outrage, solutions rather than mere diagnosis. This is precisely where the Nina Grunenberg Fellowship comes in.
The Fellows 2026
- Torben Bennink is a freelance journalist who writes for publications such as Table.Briefings and Plan BD on cross-cutting issues in education policy, such as digitalisation and teacher training.
- Hanna Jäger is a correspondent for Table.Briefings – reporting on education policy from nursery school to vocational training in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia; she also works as a freelance journalist for Perspective Daily.
- Clara Hoheisel works in the culture department at Deutschlandradio. As a member of the national executive board of Jugendpresse Deutschland, she oversees the nationwide school newspaper competition organised by the federal states.
- Nastasja Kowalewski works as a freelance journalist in Leipzig, where she researches education policy and child protection. To this end, she regularly visits nurseries, schools and student councils.
- Anja Meyer writes and produces reports as a freelance journalist for, among others, rbb.
- Mareike Müller is a freelance journalist and filmmaker working for, among others, ARD and ARTE; she researches and reports on socio-political issues with a focus on people’s lived experiences.
- Klaus Raab reports, writes columns and produces podcasts as a freelance journalist on media and education-related topics.
- Lena Stolz is a journalist and author, working for KiKA, BR and SWR, among others.
- Kira von der Brelie is an editor at RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland, focusing on social and educational issues; previously, she wrote for various newspapers and ZEIT Magazin Online.
- Josephine von der Haar works as a state parliament correspondent for the Evangelischer Pressedienst and writes as a freelance journalist for publications including taz, Augsburger Allgemeine and Perspective Daily.
The 2026 program
The program takes place in two 14-day blocks – with stops in Hamburg, Berlin and North Rhine-Westphalia. Fellows gain insights into educational and research institutions, engage with editorial teams and network with political figures at federal and state level.
The Jury
The fellows were selected by an independent jury:
- Lina Ellsiepen, Albrecht Dürer Gymnasium in Berlin Neukölln
- Maria Exner, Director of Publix
- Annette Kuhn, education journalist; partner at Bildungsdossier Kuhn + Schleper
- Marcel Roth, editor and reporter at MDR Saxony-Anhalt; NGF Fellow 2024
- Martin Spiewak, editor in the knowledge department, specialising in education, science and family affairs, DIE ZEIT
Publix is the sponsor of the Nina Grunenberg Fellowship. It is funded by the Schöpflin Foundation, the Wübben Foundation for Education and the ZEIT STIFTUNG BUCERIUS. We are very much looking forward to working with this year’s cohort and would like to extend our sincere thanks to our sponsors for their support!
