Awards & Recognition

Recognition for excellence in journalism and human rights reporting

  • Blake-Dodd Prize for Non FictionThe American Academy of Arts and Letters (received 2020), 2020
  • Guggenheim Fellowship, Non Fiction (one of five recipients in 2019 cycle)John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, 2016
  • International Impact AwardUniversity of Iowa, 2017
  • Helen Bernstein Book Award, Excellence in Journalism ShortlistNew York Public Library, 2017
  • May Chidiac Foundation Engaged Journalist AwardMay Chidiac Foundation, 2017
  • Edward R. Murrow Press FellowshipCouncil on Foreign Relations, 2016-2017
  • Hay Festival Prize for Prose - The Morning They Came For UsHay Festival, 2016
  • Hay Medal for ProseHay Festival of Literature & Arts, 2016
  • Courage in Journalism AwardInternational Women's Media Foundation, 2016
  • Ida Beam Distinguished ProfessorThe Iowa Writers' Workshop (Alumni - Journalists Program), 2016
  • Pakis FellowThe Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, 2015-2016
  • Named one of 100 Influential People Reducing Armed ViolenceAction on Armed Violence (AOAV), 2013
  • The Nation Investigation Fund (two times recipient)The Nation, 2012, 2013
  • Spears Memoir of the Year - Ghosts by DaylightSpear's Magazine, 2011
  • President of Jury, Prix Bayeux Prize for War ReportersPrix Bayeux, France, 2010
  • Stillwater Alumni AwardUniversity of Maine, 2008
  • National Magazine Award for 'Madness Visible' in Vanity FairAmerican Society of Magazine Editors, 2000
  • Foreign Correspondent of the Year (Britain)Granada Television's What the Papers Say (UK Media Awards), 2000
  • Amnesty Media Prize (twice awarded, once shortlisted)Amnesty International, 2000, 2001, 2012
  • Headliner Award for Excellence in Journalism (work in Syria)National Headliner Awards, 2016