We’re launching our first-ever journalism fellowship!

The Bold Type is an opportunity for women in Scotland who want to write about sex, relationships, and gender with depth, care, and confidence

Hello hello ✨

As you well know, here at Pillow Talk Scotland we believe that the way we talk about sex, relationships, and intimacy matters. Too often, these topics are covered in ways that can feel sensationalist, judgmental, or lacking real insight — and we want to change that.

That’s why we’re launching The Bold Type Fellowship*, our first-ever journalism training programme designed to give women in Scotland the tools, mentorship, and platform to write about sex and relationships with accuracy, depth, and care.

Why this matters

Journalism in the UK is overwhelmingly dominated by people from privileged backgrounds — 80% of UK journalists come from upper-class families, compared to just 42% of the general workforce. That means the voices shaping the stories we read often don’t reflect the diversity of everyday life, especially when it comes to sex and relationships.

As someone from a working-class background myself, I know how difficult it can be to break into writing and journalism when financial barriers stand in the way. That’s why we’ve designed this fellowship to support women who might not otherwise have access to these opportunities.

Could this be for you?

• You love writing or want to explore journalism

• You care about how sex, relationships, and gender are reported

• You’ve faced financial barriers that made it hard to access writing or journalism opportunities

• You’re a self-identifying woman (18+) based in Scotland

What’s in it for you?

• Expert-led workshops from leading journalists and media professionals, including Dayna McAlpine (HuffPost UK), Erika Marzano (Deutsche Welle), and Petra Matjevic (Global Witness)

• A paid publication opportunity (£100 for your final article)

• Editorial mentorship and a supportive space to develop your work

• A welcoming community of writers passionate about changing the conversation around sex and relationships

Programme details

• Dates: June 2025 – February 2026

• Application deadline: 25 May 2025

How to apply

Apply now at www.pillowtalk.scot/bold-type-fellowship

If this isn’t for you, please share it with someone who might be interested — a friend, a sister, a colleague, or anyone who deserves the chance to be heard.

Let’s change who gets to tell these stories.

Best,
Iris

*This fellowship has been made possible thanks to funding from the Women’s Fund.