About the Observatory
The Observatory is a free digital education resource. It offers the public useful information to help them both better understand today's issues and navigate life in the modern world.
Visitors engage with the Observatory:
- Via Search: For expertise by keyword, topic area, or a favorite author.
- Via Guides: To get the big picture.
The Observatory uses MediaWiki, the software that powers Wikipedia, to publish content by a team of expert contributors.
Our doors are open: The Observatory is designed to incorporate reader feedback, and for input and collaboration with volunteer researchers and editors.
Our goal is to be an audience-supported education resource that can make a difference.
The Observatory Team
Jan Ritch-Frel is the executive director of the Independent Media Institute, a nonprofit organization that educates the public through a diverse array of independent media projects and programs. He has worked in independent media for more than two decades and has advised dozens of media companies.
Jenny Pierson is the manager of editorial projects and the programs administrator at the Independent Media Institute. She has spent more than a decade in independent media working in both digital journalism (editing U.S. and international news and editorials) and book publishing.
Reynard Loki is a writing fellow at the Independent Media Institute, where he serves as the editor and chief correspondent for Earth | Food | Life. His work has appeared in dozens of U.S. and international publications.
April M. Short is a writing fellow at the Independent Media Institute and the editor for Local Peace Economy. She has led editorial projects on consciousness, plant medicines, care, and well-being, including Reset.me and Lucid.News (which she also co-founded). Her work has appeared in dozens of U.S. and international publications.
Authors Spotlight
