Weatherhead Forum / The Photojournalist as Witness

Found objects like old keys, passport, and necklace all against a gold background.

Date and Time

October 6, 2026
12:00PM - 01:15PM EDT
Register on Zoom

The Photojournalist as Witness

This session is open to the public and will be recorded. Registration is required for this Zoom webinar.

Photojournalists are witnesses to the most intimate moments of humanitarian crises, exposing realities that authorities and the public would not otherwise see. The images they capture serve as documents of record—through a subjective lens—that inspire compassion and accountability. Join the discussion with three speakers, award-winning photojournalists and photo editors from Bosnia, Greece, and the United States.

Speakers 

  • Iason Athanasiadis, writer, photographer, political analyst, and videojournalist. Former Nieman Fellow, Harvard University.
  • Ziyah Gafić, photojournalist, author, TED speaker, and contributor to National Geographic magazine. Director, The VII Foundation, Sarajevo.
  • Kira Pollack, creative director and photo editor. Former Walter Shorenstein Media and Democracy Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School.

Chair

  • Melani Cammett, Center Director; Chair, Weatherhead Research Cluster on Identity and Conflict. Clarence Dillon Professor of International Affairs, Department of Government, Harvard University.

Contact

Sarah Banse
sarahbanse@wcfia.harvard.edu

Watch Event Video

Related Events

The Samuel L. and Elizabeth Jodidi Lecture with Ron Haviv
October 22, 2026
|
5:00PM - 6:30PM EDT
|
Tsai Auditorium (Room S010), CGIS South Building
In Person

Testimony (1989–2026)

Speaker: Ron Haviv, Emmy-nominated filmmaker and award-winning photojournalist. Director of The VII Foundation.

Open to the public / registration required

Collage of 3 images: Zelensky, soldiers with an American flag, and a Sudanese woman walking in the desert.

Photography Exhibition / Viewing and Reception
October 22, 2026
|
4:00PM - 4:45PM EDT
|
Concourse (Basement) Level, CGIS South Building
In Person

Join us for a public viewing of the Imagine: Reflections on Peace photography exhibition and reception before the Jodidi Lecture with Ron Haviv. 

Open to the public

A woman stands in a yellow room, looking at a wall with four black and white photographs on display.
See also:
Share on:
Save: Add to calendar

Valuing Accessibility

The Weatherhead Center for International Affairs welcomes individuals with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you would like to request accommodations or have questions about the access provided, please get in touch with the person listed as the contact on the individual event listing in advance of your participation or visit. Requests for Sign Language interpreters and/or CART providers should be made at least two weeks in advance, if possible. Please note that the Weatherhead Center will make every effort to secure services, but that services are subject to availability.