About the Observatory
From 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
Observatory Co-Founder and Publisher
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
Observatory Co-Founder and Chief Content Officer
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
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
Observatory Co-Founder and Local Peace Economy Editor
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
