Jan Winburn, Moni Basu on how feature stories connect head and heart
Moni Basu and Jan Winburn spoke at the 2026 Society for Features Journalism conference in Phoenix about the challenges and benefits of writing feature stories at organizations that prioritize hard news. They currently teach through the University of Georgia’s Low-Residency MFA in Narrative Nonfiction program.
Restaurant critics, chefs on what evolves and what stays the same
The 2026 SFJ conference held a warm opening reception at the Phoenix Art Museum’s Alden restaurant. Attendees were treated to deliciously crafted dishes and drinks, and heard from three food journalists and three Phoenix chefs.
Pulitzer winner Mitchell S. Jackson on why you should trust your voice and ear
Mitchell S. Jackson, an award winning journalist and author, spoke at the 2026 SFJ conference about the power of voice and perspective. He was in conversation with Mesfin Fekadu, SFJ board president.
Using agentic AI to support reporting, but not replace writing
Shelby Grossman, a professor of practice at the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, led an interactive session on using agentic AI during the 2026 SFJ conference. Joining her were Robert Morast of the San Francisco Chronicle and Lizzie Tomlin, an ASU graduate student.
NYT journalist Kurt Streeter’s narrative secret: Take the time to hang out
New York Times journalist Kurt Streeter at the 2026 SFJ conference in Phoenix. In conversation with Mark Armstrong, Nieman Storyboard editor, Streeter talked about how he found the story of a young female boxer in East Los Angeles.
Check out our full program for the SFJ 2026 conference in Phoenix!
We are so excited to unveil the full program for our 2026 Society for Features Journalism national conference in October! Speakers will include Pulitzer Prize winners Robin Givhan, Aaron Parsley and Mitchell S. Jackson, along with storytelling giants Tom Sietsema, Kurt Streeter, Mark Armstrong, Jan Winburn, Monimala Basu and many more.
Robin Givhan reflects on her journalism career with wonder: ‘I get to do this’
SFJ is thrilled to induct Robin Givhan into the SFJ Hall of Fame at our conference in October. The honor recognizes journalists who have made incredible contributions to arts, entertainment, culture, lifestyle and narrative journalism. Robin shares her earliest memories of journalism in this Q&A.
SFJ’s 2026 conference returns to Phoenix this October: ‘Reinventing with Purpose’
The Society for Features Journalism is gearing up for our next national conference from Oct. 22-24, 2026 at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication in downtown Phoenix. Get a sneak peek at our stellar conference speakers! This year’s theme is Reinventing with Purpose.
Watch replay: Minnesota Star Tribune feature writers share tales from the front lines of the ICE surge
On Feb. 12, 2026, SFJ hosted a timely webinar with Minnesota Star Tribune features journalists who have spent more than two months covering the impacts of the ICE surge on the streets of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Watch the replay and read the stories that were discussed.