Connector is a library of resources for science journalism & communication.

Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned professional, our curated database offers guides, training programs, conferences, fellowships, articles, and more.

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Academic center

Advanced MPH Online at Columbia’s Mailman School of Public Health

This part-time program is for working adults who want to bolster their career with a degree in public health while continuing to work full time. Ideal for:
  • Journalists who cover health, science, environment, or equity
  • Media professionals who want to lead in public communication or policy
  • Nonprofit staff and communicators who want to expand their impact in health and healthcare-related work
  • Working professionals ready to apply their skills and passion to advancing health, healthcare, or health equity
Two tracks are available: Implementation Science and Health Communications. Take courses in person or remotely. 2025 deadline is extended to July 15.  
Academic center

Advanced MPH Online at Columbia’s Mailman School of Public Health

Summary:
This part-time program is for working adults who want to bolster their career with a degree in public health while continuing to work full time. Ideal for:
  • Journalists who cover health, science, environment, or equity
  • Media professionals who want to lead in public communication or policy
  • Nonprofit staff and communicators who want to expand their impact in health and healthcare-related work
  • Working professionals ready to apply their skills and passion to advancing health, healthcare, or health equity
Two tracks are available: Implementation Science and Health Communications. Take courses in person or remotely. 2025 deadline is extended to July 15.  
Category:
VISIT
Resource Database / Guide

Investigating Health and Medicine – A GIJN Guide

Global Investigative Journalism Network

This guide to reporting on health and medicine issues was originally published in November 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Original authors Serena Tinari and Catherine Riva have updated it as of November 2024, to include a revised introduction, additional insights throughout including lessons learned from covering the coronavirus outbreak, and a new chapter on behind-the-scenes reporting strategies. Available in English, French, Spanish, and Arabic.
Resource Database / Guide

Investigating Health and Medicine – A GIJN Guide

Summary:
This guide to reporting on health and medicine issues was originally published in November 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Original authors Serena Tinari and Catherine Riva have updated it as of November 2024, to include a revised introduction, additional insights throughout including lessons learned from covering the coronavirus outbreak, and a new chapter on behind-the-scenes reporting strategies. Available in English, French, Spanish, and Arabic.
Organization:

Global Investigative Journalism Network

Date:

December 10, 2024

Category:
For:
VISIT
Article

Small Fry — How to Tell Compelling Stories About Obscure Species

"Getting people excited about large, charismatic wildlife is easy, but tiny, little-known or less-than-lovable species can be a tough sell. Journalists Bethany Brookshire and Douglas Main on why it’s important to include oddball organisms in your reporting and how to get audiences engaged. Pro tip: Building curiosity and caring for minor-league creatures often means being a bit self-centered."

Article

Small Fry — How to Tell Compelling Stories About Obscure Species

Summary:

"Getting people excited about large, charismatic wildlife is easy, but tiny, little-known or less-than-lovable species can be a tough sell. Journalists Bethany Brookshire and Douglas Main on why it’s important to include oddball organisms in your reporting and how to get audiences engaged. Pro tip: Building curiosity and caring for minor-league creatures often means being a bit self-centered."

Author:

Bethany Brookshire and Douglas Main

Published By:

Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ)

Date:

2024-11-06

Category:
For:
VISIT
Article

Using Open Data to Sharpen Science Stories

"Many reporters are familiar with the idea of using data to bring nuance and depth to a story. They may draw from public government data, such as census data or COVID-19 dashboards, for example. But ... journalists aren’t widely utilizing the vast troves of freely accessible data that researchers and organizations share online. These “open” research datasets are distinct from other types of data in a journalist’s toolkit, including data collected via Freedom of Information Act requests or scraped from the web. ... "Taking advantage of open data might seem daunting—especially if you don’t have formal research training. ... But if you know what types of open data exist, where to look, and what questions to ask experts, these data can open a world of possible stories."
Article

Using Open Data to Sharpen Science Stories

Summary:
"Many reporters are familiar with the idea of using data to bring nuance and depth to a story. They may draw from public government data, such as census data or COVID-19 dashboards, for example. But ... journalists aren’t widely utilizing the vast troves of freely accessible data that researchers and organizations share online. These “open” research datasets are distinct from other types of data in a journalist’s toolkit, including data collected via Freedom of Information Act requests or scraped from the web. ... "Taking advantage of open data might seem daunting—especially if you don’t have formal research training. ... But if you know what types of open data exist, where to look, and what questions to ask experts, these data can open a world of possible stories."
Author:

Alice Fleerackers

Published By:

The Open Notebook

Date:

January 14, 2025

Category:
For:
VISIT
Fellowships & Grants

COP30 Climate Change Media Partnership Reporting Fellowship

Earth Journalism Network

"The Climate Change Media Partnership (CCMP), led by Internews’ Earth Journalism Network (EJN) and the Stanley Center for Peace and Security, is pleased to announce the COP30 CCMP Reporting Fellowship Program for journalists from low- and middle-income countries interested in covering the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP30). Hosted this year by Brazil, the conference is scheduled to take place in the city of Belém from November 10-21, 2025, with the World Leaders’ Summit on November 6-7." Deadline: July 15, 2025, 11:59 PM (Pacific/Niue).
Fellowships & Grants

COP30 Climate Change Media Partnership Reporting Fellowship

Summary:
"The Climate Change Media Partnership (CCMP), led by Internews’ Earth Journalism Network (EJN) and the Stanley Center for Peace and Security, is pleased to announce the COP30 CCMP Reporting Fellowship Program for journalists from low- and middle-income countries interested in covering the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP30). Hosted this year by Brazil, the conference is scheduled to take place in the city of Belém from November 10-21, 2025, with the World Leaders’ Summit on November 6-7." Deadline: July 15, 2025, 11:59 PM (Pacific/Niue).
Organization:

Earth Journalism Network

Category:
For:
VISIT
Resource Database / Guide

2025 Journalists’ Guide to Environment + Energy

Society of Environmental Journalists

"In this special report, '2025 Journalists’ Guide to Environment + Energy,' the SEJournal looks ahead in our ninth annual guide to key issues in the coming year. Check out the guide’s special forward-focused TipSheets, Backgrounders, WatchDogs, a new EJ TransitionWatch column and an overview analysis."
Resource Database / Guide

2025 Journalists’ Guide to Environment + Energy

Summary:
"In this special report, '2025 Journalists’ Guide to Environment + Energy,' the SEJournal looks ahead in our ninth annual guide to key issues in the coming year. Check out the guide’s special forward-focused TipSheets, Backgrounders, WatchDogs, a new EJ TransitionWatch column and an overview analysis."
Organization:

Society of Environmental Journalists

Date:

February 26, 2025

Category:
For:
VISIT

Featured Links

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Tip sheet: Reporting on hot-button topics as a science writer: Lessons from abortion coverage

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Tip sheet: Science journalism and communication in the misinformation era

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Tip sheet: Best practices for pitching freelance stories

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September 30, 2025

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