Covering Crisis

Covering Crisis: Giles Clarke in conversation with Rick Smolan examines two decades of frontline photojournalism across regions of extreme humanitarian crisis. Clarke reflects on long term work in Yemen, Haiti, and the 2025 war in Sudan, revealing how stories are found, built, and sustained under pressure. The visual led presentation addresses the realities of access, safety, funding, and the increasing difficulty of publication in an era of media indifference and audience distraction.

Interlaced with powerful imagery and first hand recollections, the session considers the future of impact: where photojournalism goes in the age of AI and how to engage viewers who may feel desensitised. A 40 minute conversation with audience questions brings practical insight to the ethics, logistics, and responsibility of bearing witness.

What you will take away:
• Practical frameworks for pitching, funding, and publishing crisis reporting
• Methods for risk assessment, situational awareness, and field ethics that protect subjects and storytellers
• Audience engagement strategies for impact in the age of AI and attention scarcity

Who this is for:
• Photojournalists, editors, and producers working on conflict and humanitarian stories
• Curators, educators, and NGO communicators seeking effective approaches to public engagement
• Students and emerging practitioners building skills for responsible, long form reporting