91Ó°ÊÓ

Q&A FEATURE

Pradipta Mukherjee and Valentín ¶Ùí²¹³ú spent October in Toronto as part of the Bridging Divides Journalism Fellowship, a month-long program designed to bring global journalists into direct conversation with migration researchers, policy leaders, and community partners. The fellowship was created to spark two-way understanding: journalists gain deeper access to cutting-edge research and on-the-ground expertise, while researchers strengthen the way they share evidence with media audiences around the world. At a time when public conversations about migration shift quickly,  building these connections has never been more important.

During their month on campus, Pradipta and Valentín attended events, met with researchers, followed their own reporting interests, and explored Toronto’s diverse communities. Here’s what they shared about the experience.

Tell us a bit about your work and what you focus on as journalists.

Mukherjee â€“ I am a journalist based in India and a Correspondent with CoinGeek Digital Media. My areas of focus evolve with economic shifts, but right now I concentrate on emerging technologies. I report on the policies, concerns, and societal impacts surrounding those technologies.

¶Ùí²¹³ú â€“ I am a reporter at Agence France-Presse (AFP) and cover breaking news in Colombia, along with the intersection between technology and human rights. I’m also interested in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), data journalism, and open-source reporting.

What made you want to apply to this fellowship?

Mukherjee â€“ It felt like the right moment for an Indian journalist to be in Canada. India and Canada recently announced a collaboration on several sectors, including AI and digital public infrastructure, which are my areas of interest.

¶Ùí²¹³ú â€“ Migration is central to my reporting. I’ve lived in Colombia and Mexico, so covering migration has been part of my daily work for the past five years. The Bridging Divides team works directly on many of the topics I report on and I’d been waiting for the right opportunity to apply for a fellowship for a while.

How did the fellowship shape or change your approach to reporting?

Mukherjee â€“ I’ve met several leading researchers, professors and policy makers in the thick of things, which has been a great experience. It’s one thing to work remotely in India and send questionnaires or do Zoom interviews, but it’s another thing to be here and meet people. Participating in conferences and listening to questions from others also broadened my perspective. I got answers to questions I didn’t even know I had.

¶Ùí²¹³ú â€“ It’s a highly multicultural experience. This is my first time in Canada and the first time I’ve met so many people from so many backgrounds. It has been really interesting to understand other’s experiences and realities while comparing them with my own.

What has been the most valuable part of the fellowship?

Mukherjee â€“ The resources, contacts and networking opportunities. I knew the researchers from their online work, but I didn’t expect meeting them in person to be this helpful. They shared research and survey reports with me, and being able to incorporate that into my stories was invaluable. Being on the ground also gave me access to people I normally wouldn’t meet, from professionals working nearby the office to Uber drivers. It really helped me understand the realities of employment and lifestyle in Toronto more clearly.

¶Ùí²¹³ú â€“ Relationships. With researchers, with exchange fellows, with people who were incredibly open to integrating me into their circles. Learning about the nuances of immigration systems and how researchers analyze public policy has been really helpful for my reporting, there was a lot I didn’t know about the migrant experience in Canada.

What surprised you the most about being in Toronto?

Mukherjee â€“ From the minute I landed, I was surprised by how approachable, kind and friendly people were. People smile, they give you directions, they aren’t rude. Toronto receives many newcomers each year, and now I know why.

¶Ùí²¹³ú â€“ Toronto is full of surprises. I didn’t expect a city this large and active to feel so approachable. There’s always something happening but it isn’t overwhelming. I really enjoyed my time here.

Would you recommend the fellowship to other journalists?

Mukherjee â€“ Absolutely. In every other fellowship I’ve joined, the topic was already decided, and whether it was relevant to me or not, I had to meet the same set of people. Here, it’s completely flexible. I’m not stuck in an office from 9 to 5, I can choose my own migration-related topic, step out, meet people, and pursue my own stories. The flexibility is why I’d encourage every journalist working on these issues to apply. For me, this was the perfect fellowship.

¶Ùí²¹³ú â€“ Sure, I would recommend it. It’s a highly stimulating experience. From the first day, you’re meeting people and diving right into research. It was an ideal time for me to visit because there were so many events happening and so many opportunities to learn. It was also great to meet researchers who are working on topics so close to my own. It’s a beautiful feeling to discover that someone on the other side of the world is exploring the same questions, but from a completely different angle.

The Bridging Divides Journalism Fellowship re-opens annually. Applications for the 2027 cohort will open in 2026. Check the Bridging Divides website for updates.

This article has been edited for clarity.

In this issue of Bridges:

What Happens When You Invite People In

Narratives of Citizenship: Seeing Belonging Through a Newcomer Lens

Listening to Learn in Canada’s Housing Research

AI Takes a Village: How Collaboration is Powering Canada’s Digital Future

Challenge Accepted: Mentorship Beyond the Data

Reporting Across Borders

Plus: Fall 2025 Allies in Action