About Dara Kerr

Contact Dara Kerr

Education:

University of California, Berkeley, Graduate School of Journalism MJ expected May 2010

Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs, New York, N.Y. MA in International Affairs, Concentration in Human Rights, May 2004

New York University, New York, N.Y. BA in Latin American Studies and Photography, Magna Cum Laude, Dean’s List

Published Stories:

Video: Iconic Bay Area Bookstore Faces Foreclosure

Wall Street Journal

Video: After a half-century, famed Bay Area bookseller and cultural gathering place, Marcus Books, is feeling the financial crunch. The family owned shop, which have been visited by everyone from Maya Angelou to Muhammad Ali, faces foreclosure.

Video: Raptor watch

Wall Street Journal

Video: Bay Area bird watchers gather atop Hawk Hill to observe the raptor migration in the Western U.S.

Guilty Robots

The New York Times Magazine

Dara Kerr, class of 2010, writes in The New York Times Magazine about ethical software embedded into battlefield robots.

Gourmet Dirt

The New York Times Magazine

Dara Kerr, class of 2010, writes in The New York Times Magazine about an agricultural activist who holds soil tastings to demonstrate the connection between food and where it’s grown.

Ari Marcopoulos Photo Exhibit

ESPN.com

Dara Kerr, class of 2010, writes for ESPN.com about legendary photographer Ari Marcopoulos.

U Can’t Touch This

East Bay Express

Dara Kerr, class of 2010, writes in the East Bay Express about MC Hammer's former back-up dancer who is now a high school football coach and how he uses his dance training to get his players to excel both on the field and in the classroom.

Proton Cancer Therapy Accelerates

CBS News

Dara Kerr, class of 2010, writes for CBS News about technological advances in proton therapy that may make the once-rare treatment more widely available for treating cancerous tumors.

Twitter takes the Tour de France on new course

CNET News

Dara Kerr, class of 2010, writes for CNET News about how social networking site, Twitter, is changing the way fans follow the Tour de France.

For Uganda's poor, a cellular connection

CNET News

Dara Kerr, class of 2010, writes for CNET News about how many people in Uganda don't have electricity--much less Internet access--and are now using text messaging to recieve information about health, agriculture and the weather.

Artisan chocolate makers get techie

CNET News

Dara Kerr, class of 2010, writes an article and produces a video for CNET News about how chocolate and technology meet at the TCHO chocolate factory.

San Francisco High School Relishes Last Spin as Skateboarding Mecca

SF Weekly

Dara Kerr, class of 2010, writes in the SF Weekly about the last skateboard contest at the historic "Wallenberg Four" skate spot.

Awards:

Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence (March 2010)

Feature Writing-4 Year College/University for Region 11

Work Experience:

Intern

CNET News  - San Francisco CA  ( June 2009 - August 2009 )

Wrote feature stories and short news stories focused on technology. Stories ranged from a retrospective of the Sony walkman to proton therapy being used to cure cancer to Twitter changing the face of the Tour de France. Produced one video, several photo slideshows and wrote story synopsis for the daily podcasts.

Reporter

Oakland North  - Oakland CA  ( January 2009 - April 2010 )

Wrote feature and news articles and produced videos and audio slide-shows focused on North Oakland. Also created and wrote the “Keeping It Wheel” blog.

Freelance Reporter/Photojournalist

Write and produce various articles, videos and radio pieces.

Program Officer

Equality Now  - New York NY  ( September 2006 - December 2007 )

Wrote human rights reports, public statements and press releases for international campaigns addressing women’s rights violations. Monitored and researched human rights violations against women internationally.

Program Associate

Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team  - Brooklyn NY  ( May 2005 - September 2006 )

Wrote, translated and edited, with forensic anthropologists, the 2005 and 2006 human rights annual reports. Coordinated photographers, designers and printing for the report. Assisted in documentary video editing and archiving.

Project Specialist

Human Strategies for Human Rights  - Lima  ( May 2003 - August 2003 )

Documented cases and conducted field research on the forced sterilization of women during the 1990’s in Peru. Taught human rights workshops to indigenous women, NGO workers and medical students.

Research Analyst

Central American Legal Assistance  - Brooklyn NY  ( September 2002 - September 2006 )

Recorded case histories of asylum seekers and assisted in their immigration documentation. Researched human rights abuses for client evidence in asylum cases. Wrote legal memos documenting the plausibility of certain asylum cases. Served as an expert witness on asylum cases involving gang violence in El Salvador.

Peace Corps Volunteer

Peace Corps  - El Tinteral  ( January 2000 - June 2002 )

Wrote grants for and directed water system project to supply potable water to 179 people. Conducted field surveys of damage sustained in the 2001 earthquake (97% of homes deemed unlivable). Administered $50,000 earthquake relief fund and oversaw housing project for 35 families and temporary shelters for 364 families.

Skills:

• Language: Spanish – fluent
  Computer: PC/Mac, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, Soundtrack Pro, Soundslides Pro, Pro Tools