Investigative Reporting
Prof. Walter Robinson's Investigative Reporting and Advanced Reporting Classes 
Distinguished Professor Walter Robinson teaches investigative reporting courses to leading graduate and undergraduate students. Selected through faculty recommendations and because of their distinguished course work, the students divvy up the reporting and research in small groups under Prof. Robinson's direction. He acts as their editor, guiding them as they "prospect" story ideas, burrow through public records and even conduct surveillance as they prepare for publication. Since 2007, these classes have produced more than a dozen page one investigative stories in The Boston Globe.
At the Globe, Prof. Robinson led a team of reporters who won the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for uncovering the clergy sexual abuse scandal in the Roman Catholic Church. He spent 34 years at the newspaper, and directed the investigative unit, the Spotlight Team, from 2000 to 2006. He came to the university in 2007. "I think of the classroom as a newsroom," he said. "They are not ‘students’ but journalists. They are investigating and reporting real news."
2009
Marino Eccher, a graduate student, wrote a front-page article in the Boston Globe on Nov. 10 about US Rep. Stephen F. Lynch's role in engineering federal grants for a community health center where his wife, Margaret, works and to a substance abuse center where she is a board member. The story is headlined, "Lynch's wife tied to agencies he won grants for." The report was prepared in the investigative reporting seminar under the direction of Prof. Walter Robinson. Read the story.>>
"When police park at HQ, regular rules do not apply," February 16, by graduate students Colby Cremins and Emily K. Williams. Contributing to this article were Graduate student Jennifer Skala, and undergraduate students Anne Baker, Danielle Capalbo, Emma Johnson, and Casey Ramsdell. Maria Cramer, a Globe staff reporter also contributed to the story. Read the story. >>
A follow-up story, "Illegal police parking unabated. Officers still using spaces reserved for the handicapped," appeared on April 2. It was written by graduate student Emily Williams and undergraduate Casey Ramsdell. Read new story. >>
2008
"A parking deal for the chosen ones. City-owned space used by the well connected," December 12, by undergraduates Kate Augusto and Matt Collette. Read the story. >>
"Trusts for mentally retarded neglected," August 31, by Stephanie M. Peters. Read the story.>>
"No broad inspections at Fenway, Garden. Reviews omit structural issues," June 30, by Nikki Gloudeman. Read the story. >>
"Stalled case points to woes in city's disability system. Delays since 2000 accident keep hurt officer on payroll," April 22, by graduate student Molly Feit. Read the story.>>
"Courts strip elders of their independence. Within minutes, judges send seniors to supervised care," January 13, by Jeff Kelly, Maggie Kowalski, and Candice Novak. Read the story. >>
Boston Firefighter Disability Coverage
"Doctor defends firefighter dignosis," July 21 by Walter V. Robinson. Read the story.>>
"On injury leave firefighter stood out as bodybuilder," July 14, by Walter V. Robinson with contributing Globe reporter Betty Grillo. Read the story.>>
"Fire Dept. disability backlog costs city. Delays in decisions add up to millions," January 11, by Walter V. Robinson and Nikki Gloudeman. Globe correspondent Jesse Nankin and Globe staff reporter Matt Carroll contributed to this report. Read the story. >>
"Firemen getting enhanced pensions," January 7, by Walter V. Robinson and Jesse Nankin. Globe correspondent Jesse Nankin and Globe Staff reporter Matt Carroll contributed to this report. Read this story. >>
"High-end fare, with side order of violations. Some of the city's top eateries cited for lack of cleanliness," August 26, by Jennifer Nelson and Bobby Hankinson. Read the story. >>
"State fails to curb usurious pawnshop rates. Little oversight as poor bear brunt," April 30, by Donna Roberson. Read the story. >>
"Mayor's plan on guns appears to miss mark. Little impact seen for taking licenses," April 23, by Michael Naughton and Hailey Heinz. Read the story. >>