Science communicators Archives

Training

Reflexivity: A Tool for Inclusive Science Communication

Association of Science Communicators

This free ASC workbook is for "individuals who are interested in or already doing science communication, public engagement with science, and more broadly, civic science, and want to make their efforts more equitable and inclusive. Reflexivity is a powerful approach that not only improves communication but also fosters relationships rooted in accountability, humility, and care."

Reflexivity: A Tool for Inclusive Science Communication

Summary:

This free ASC workbook is for "individuals who are interested in or already doing science communication, public engagement with science, and more broadly, civic science, and want to make their efforts more equitable and inclusive. Reflexivity is a powerful approach that not only improves communication but also fosters relationships rooted in accountability, humility, and care."

Organization:

Association of Science Communicators

Category:

Tools for advancing diversity and inclusion

For:

VISIT

Article

Reporting on Psychedelics Research or Legislation? Proceed With Caution

"Despite the hype, optimism and legislation involving the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, researchers warn that there's much we don't know. This research roundup looks at some of the knowns and unknowns of psilocybin, MDMA and other hallucinogens."

Resource Database / Guide

Tip Sheet: How To Cover Ongoing Chaos in Science Funding

CASW Connector

On October 9, 2025, CASW Connector hosted a Chat discussing how journalists can approach the firehose of science funding freezes, cuts and reinstatements during the Trump administration. Panelists and participants swapped tips on the best tools to follow the whiplash-inducing changes and how to tame the flood of information into stories that won’t immediately become outdated. The Chat was facilitated by CASW program director Amber Dance and featured panelists:

Katherine Wu, staff writer at The Atlantic
Stephanie Lee, senior writer at The Chronicle of Higher Education
Scott Delaney, research scientist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and co-founder of the Grant Witness database

At the link, you’ll find a recording of the Chat, takeaways and tips from the presenters, and additional resources shared by attendees.

Tip Sheet: How To Cover Ongoing Chaos in Science Funding

Summary:

On October 9, 2025, CASW Connector hosted a Chat discussing how journalists can approach the firehose of science funding freezes, cuts and reinstatements during the Trump administration. Panelists and participants swapped tips on the best tools to follow the whiplash-inducing changes and how to tame the flood of information into stories that won’t immediately become outdated. The Chat was facilitated by CASW program director Amber Dance and featured panelists:

Katherine Wu, staff writer at The Atlantic
Stephanie Lee, senior writer at The Chronicle of Higher Education
Scott Delaney, research scientist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and co-founder of the Grant Witness database

At the link, you’ll find a recording of the Chat, takeaways and tips from the presenters, and additional resources shared by attendees.

Organization:

CASW Connector

Category:

For:

VISIT

Events

Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital (DCEFF)

"Since 1993, DCEFF has been the premier showcase of environmental films. Each March, we bring the world’s largest green film festival to museums, embassies, universities, and other cultural institutions across Washington, DC. In addition to the many thousands of audience members we serve with our in-person programming, DCEFF offers year-round virtual screenings to passionate and environmentally-conscious viewers across the United States and the world." The 2026 event runs March 19-28, with the theme "Against the Current." Films in any genre can be submitted for consideration by Dec. 1. Cash prizes available.

Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital (DCEFF)

Summary:

"Since 1993, DCEFF has been the premier showcase of environmental films. Each March, we bring the world’s largest green film festival to museums, embassies, universities, and other cultural institutions across Washington, DC. In addition to the many thousands of audience members we serve with our in-person programming, DCEFF offers year-round virtual screenings to passionate and environmentally-conscious viewers across the United States and the world." The 2026 event runs March 19-28, with the theme "Against the Current." Films in any genre can be submitted for consideration by Dec. 1. Cash prizes available.

Category:

Awards

For:

VISIT

Video

How Can Open Science Practices Increase Trust In Research?

Shorenstein Center / The Journalist's Resource

"The open science movement is changing the way research is published, providing new methods of dissemination and evaluation like preprints and open review that are accelerating the pace and transparency of science. At the same time, these new, more open methods of communicating science threaten to expose the publication process to bad actors keen on weaponizing science for political purposes, spreading misinformation, or publishing junk research to advance their careers. This panel brings together representatives from each stage of open science, from active researchers to open publishing platform developers and journalists for a frank discussion of how each part of the publishing process must adapt to make sure open science advances not just science itself, but society’s understanding of, trust in, and willingness to invest in research."

How Can Open Science Practices Increase Trust In Research?

Summary:

"The open science movement is changing the way research is published, providing new methods of dissemination and evaluation like preprints and open review that are accelerating the pace and transparency of science. At the same time, these new, more open methods of communicating science threaten to expose the publication process to bad actors keen on weaponizing science for political purposes, spreading misinformation, or publishing junk research to advance their careers. This panel brings together representatives from each stage of open science, from active researchers to open publishing platform developers and journalists for a frank discussion of how each part of the publishing process must adapt to make sure open science advances not just science itself, but society’s understanding of, trust in, and willingness to invest in research."

Organization:

Shorenstein Center / The Journalist's Resource

Date:

October 8, 2025

Category:

Journalism and communication practice

For:

VISIT

Fellowships & Grants

NRDC Climate Storytelling Fellowship

"Natural Resources Defense Council's Rewrite the Future, in partnership with the Black List, CAA Foundation, NBCUniversal, and the Redford Center, launched the fifth-annual NRDC Climate Storytelling Fellowship. The fellowship will award $20,000 to three writers to support revisions of a feature screenplay or pilot that engages with climate change in a compelling way. Fellows will receive creative support, including consultation with Rewrite the Future and six months of mentorship from an established screenwriter with an interest in climate storytelling." Deadline: Nov. 28, 2025.

Awards

ASME National Magazine Awards

American Society of Magazine Editors in association with the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism

"One of the most prestigious journalism-awards programs in the United States, the National Magazine Awards honor magazines and websites for editorial and visual excellence as demonstrated by the superior execution of editorial objectives, innovative techniques, noteworthy enterprise and imaginative design. Originally limited to print magazines, the awards now recognize magazine storytelling published in any medium, including newspapers and newsletters." Deadlines: Oct 23 and Dec 4, 2025 (depending on publication date).

ASME National Magazine Awards

Summary:

"One of the most prestigious journalism-awards programs in the United States, the National Magazine Awards honor magazines and websites for editorial and visual excellence as demonstrated by the superior execution of editorial objectives, innovative techniques, noteworthy enterprise and imaginative design. Originally limited to print magazines, the awards now recognize magazine storytelling published in any medium, including newspapers and newsletters." Deadlines: Oct 23 and Dec 4, 2025 (depending on publication date).

Organization:

American Society of Magazine Editors in association with the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism

Category:

For:

VISIT

Fellowships & Grants

Mycoskie-UC Berkeley Psychedelic Documentary Fellowship

"The Mycoskie-UC Berkeley Psychedelic Documentary Fellowship aims to empower a new generation of filmmakers exploring the burgeoning field of psychedelics. We're looking for groundbreaking narratives fit for cinematic storytelling – untold stories that captivate audiences and shed light on the science, policy, business and culture of this new era of psychedelics. We're committed to fostering a diverse pool of filmmakers to document this rapidly changing field." 2025 deadline: Oct 30.

Mycoskie-UC Berkeley Psychedelic Documentary Fellowship

Summary:

"The Mycoskie-UC Berkeley Psychedelic Documentary Fellowship aims to empower a new generation of filmmakers exploring the burgeoning field of psychedelics. We're looking for groundbreaking narratives fit for cinematic storytelling – untold stories that captivate audiences and shed light on the science, policy, business and culture of this new era of psychedelics. We're committed to fostering a diverse pool of filmmakers to document this rapidly changing field." 2025 deadline: Oct 30.

Category:

For:

VISIT

Video

AI and Science Journalism: An Uneasy Future

"Stephen Ornes, a freelance science writer, three-time winner of the AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Award, and a Writer in Residence at Vanderbilt University, spoke with Grady College journalism students on Sept. 20, 2025."

AI and Science Journalism: An Uneasy Future

Summary:

"Stephen Ornes, a freelance science writer, three-time winner of the AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Award, and a Writer in Residence at Vanderbilt University, spoke with Grady College journalism students on Sept. 20, 2025."

Date:

September 30, 2025

Category:

For:

VISIT

Article

Covering Null Results: How To Turn “Nothing” Into News

"Null results — the lack of evidence in support of a hypothesized effect — can often be dismissed as unnoteworthy, even by scientists themselves. But sometimes, the absence of an effect in a well-designed experiment can challenge existing thinking or have important policy, health, or other implications for readers."

Article

How To Navigate the Impact of Manipulation and Removal of Federal Data: Expert Advice, Reporting Tips and Resources

"Federal datasets have been manipulated and removed since the beginning of the Trump administration and continue to be under threat. In this piece, three data experts explain the critical consequences of this loss." The article includes video of the Oct 1, 2025 webinar, "Vanishing Numbers: How Federal Data Manipulation and Removal Threaten Journalism and Public Trust," and explores the following categories of federal data attacks:

Targeted removal of data that is not aligned with the Trump administration’s priorities.
Collateral damage from actions like reductions in the federal workforce, cutting contracts and terminating scientific advisory committees.
Removal of data that reflects poorly on the performance of the Trump administration’s policies.

Article

Covering Vaccine Mandates and Policy in a Polarized Community

"Public health laws that require vaccinations have been an integral part of reducing the burden of infectious disease in the U.S. The elimination of measles in 2000, for example, would not have been possible without state laws that require measles vaccination for public school attendance. But misconceptions about vaccine mandates have also led to confusion among media audiences. This tip sheet aims to provide a background on vaccine mandates in the U.S. and how to report on them accurately, responsibly and thoughtfully for your audiences."

Resource Database / Guide

Tip Sheet: Co-Creating Science Stories With Your Audience

CASW Connector

On Sunday, November 8, 2024, CASW Connector hosted a hybrid session at the ScienceWriters2024 meeting that introduced science writers to audience engagement practices. The CASW team co-created the session itself with its audience, using an online survey and posterboards at the meeting to collect input from ScienceWriters2024 attendees about their experience talking to and engaging with their readers, as well as their questions about audience engagement. The session included brief presentations from several speakers with experience in reporting projects informed by their audiences. Breakout groups gave attendees the opportunity to discuss different aspects of engagement. The session was live-streamed for virtual participants. Speakers included:

Celeste LeCompte, CASW board member and independent consultant
Betsy Ladyzhets, CASW Connector community manager and editor at The Sick Times
Jena Brooker, environment and food reporter at BridgeDetroit
Melba Newsome, independent journalist and professor at Wake Forest University
Kelly Kauffman, engagement journalist at MuckRock
Dillon Bergin, data reporter at MuckRock

Check out the link for the presentations and report-backs from the breakout sessions.

Tip Sheet: Co-Creating Science Stories With Your Audience

Summary:

On Sunday, November 8, 2024, CASW Connector hosted a hybrid session at the ScienceWriters2024 meeting that introduced science writers to audience engagement practices. The CASW team co-created the session itself with its audience, using an online survey and posterboards at the meeting to collect input from ScienceWriters2024 attendees about their experience talking to and engaging with their readers, as well as their questions about audience engagement. The session included brief presentations from several speakers with experience in reporting projects informed by their audiences. Breakout groups gave attendees the opportunity to discuss different aspects of engagement. The session was live-streamed for virtual participants. Speakers included:

Celeste LeCompte, CASW board member and independent consultant
Betsy Ladyzhets, CASW Connector community manager and editor at The Sick Times
Jena Brooker, environment and food reporter at BridgeDetroit
Melba Newsome, independent journalist and professor at Wake Forest University
Kelly Kauffman, engagement journalist at MuckRock
Dillon Bergin, data reporter at MuckRock

Check out the link for the presentations and report-backs from the breakout sessions.

Organization:

CASW Connector

Date:

December 18, 2024

Category:

For:

VISIT

Article

Can ChatGPT Help Science Writers?

"When the artificial intelligence (AI) company OpenAI released the generative AI platform ChatGPT nearly 3 years ago, people began to speculate what the arrival of the large language model (LLM) meant for many creative industries, including journalism and other writing. In December 2023, the press office for Science (and the Science family of journals) decided to explore whether ChatGPT Plus had potential as a tool to help writers (the Science Press Package team, SciPak) convey information about upcoming research papers to the media. We sought to evaluate whether ChatGPT Plus could adhere to the specific writing style of SciPak. ... The conclusion of this experiment is that ChatGPT Plus did not meet SciPak’s standards."

Article

When Prestige Trumps Quality in Science Reporting

"In an era where misinformation spreads rapidly and scientific credibility is under constant scrutiny, the choices science journalists make about which studies to cover matter more than ever. Journal reputation, impact factors and perceived prestige often shape these decisions – but at what cost to diversity, accuracy and public trust in science? To explore how reporters navigate these reputation-driven cues, Technology Networks spoke with Alice Fleerackers, PhD, assistant professor of journalism and civic engagement in the Department of Media Studies at the University of Amsterdam, whose work examines how journalists assess the trustworthiness of scientific journals. Fleerackers sheds light on the hidden dynamics behind science reporting, the risks of over-relying on prestige and how critical research literacy could reshape the future of science communication."

Organization

Michigan Science Communicators

"The Michigan Science Communicators (MiSC) is a regional group of science communicators associated with the National Association of Science Writers (NASW). Through networking, development and other events, we help science writers advance their professional skills. We aim to promote accurate, accessible and ethical science writing as well as foster the understanding of science and technology to society. We host virtual and in-person events for science writers, organized by volunteer team."

Article

PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Drinking Water: An Explainer and Research Roundup

"We summarize studies on where PFAS are found, health impacts, the efficacy of consumer water filters, new methods of destroying PFAS, and racial disparities in PFAS exposure. Journalists would do well to educate themselves on PFAS because the issue now touches almost every beat: business, consumer, environment, health, infrastructure, legal and local municipalities that include water utilities. That’s why we created this explainer and research roundup. (For more on covering PFAS, see our related tip sheet, which includes a list of data resources.)"

Academic program

Stanford Course Empowers Students To Communicate Science to the Public

This Stanford University science communication course, which ran in Spring 2025, is scheduled again for 2026. The course aims to equip researchers with "essential skills such as podcasting, storyboarding, and leveraging social media to engage non-scientists."

Source database

SCIP Climate/Environmental Source Book

"The team behind the SciComm Identities Project (SCIP) has created a source book for journalists covering climate and environmental topics to provide a more representative range of experts who are also trained science communicators. The guide features two dozen SCIP fellows: scholars and professors whose work is related to climate change across a wide range of disciplines. In the source book, fellows are listed according to cross-cutting topics to easily identify their primary areas of expertise. Each fellow’s section includes their title and institution, a short bio that lists their research and areas of expertise, and their contact information. Where applicable, it also links to their social media and personal websites. You can also search the document by clicking on more than 50 topic areas, which range from agriculture to wildfires, and identify experts by their geographical area."

SCIP Climate/Environmental Source Book

Summary:

"The team behind the SciComm Identities Project (SCIP) has created a source book for journalists covering climate and environmental topics to provide a more representative range of experts who are also trained science communicators. The guide features two dozen SCIP fellows: scholars and professors whose work is related to climate change across a wide range of disciplines. In the source book, fellows are listed according to cross-cutting topics to easily identify their primary areas of expertise. Each fellow’s section includes their title and institution, a short bio that lists their research and areas of expertise, and their contact information. Where applicable, it also links to their social media and personal websites. You can also search the document by clicking on more than 50 topic areas, which range from agriculture to wildfires, and identify experts by their geographical area."

Date:

September 18, 2025

Category:

For:

VISIT

Reporting on federal changes to science

HHS Grants Terminated

This 53-page PDF by TAGGS (Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System) lists Department of Health & Human Services grants terminated, as of September 11, 2025.

Article

Handy AI Tools for Science Writers

"AI is being integrated into newsrooms and into the lives of journalists. Of course, AI is also entering freelancing, including scientific writing. Here are some tools that can help lighten the load and increase your efficiency, while retaining the human element of our craft."

Article

Where Science Journalism and Communication Converge, and What It Means for Trust

"Stagnant freelance rates have pushed some established journalists toward better-paying communication roles. Meanwhile, a new generation of creators often blends both disciplines from the outset in a media landscape with fewer specialized jobs. This convergence raises questions about journalistic independence, ethical boundaries, and how audiences can distinguish between impartial reporting and paid messaging — especially as social media platforms become primary sources of information."

Video

Investigating the Climate Crisis: A Toolbox for Accessing Databases and Sources

"A 'toolbox' for finding and using reliable climate data, maps, and platforms. Includes guidance on ethically incorporating Indigenous perspectives in reporting. Speakers:

Heron Martins, environmental engineer; expert in Amazon data systems; currently with Center for Climate Crime Analysis
Ikaruni Nawa, Indigenous journalist and anthropologist; co-leader of the Brazilian Indigenous Journalists Network

Investigating the Climate Crisis: A Toolbox for Accessing Databases and Sources

Summary:

"A 'toolbox' for finding and using reliable climate data, maps, and platforms. Includes guidance on ethically incorporating Indigenous perspectives in reporting. Speakers:

Heron Martins, environmental engineer; expert in Amazon data systems; currently with Center for Climate Crime Analysis
Ikaruni Nawa, Indigenous journalist and anthropologist; co-leader of the Brazilian Indigenous Journalists Network

Published By:

Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas

Date:

August 13, 2025

Category:

For:

VISIT

Reporting on federal changes to science

Survey: Was Your Grant Canceled by President Trump?

"The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, Democratic Staff, is surveying the impact of the Trump Administration’s cancelation of federal research awards. If your award was terminated since January 20, 2025, please fill out this brief survey."

Reporting on federal changes to science

Silenced Science Stories

"THEY CAN'T FIRE SCIENCE. We are organizing an illustrated series of portraits and stories of scientific experts whose work is being affected by federal budget cuts and mass firings. We have over 30 science artists who are volunteering to create these features to communicate the careers and the important scientific research of federally employed and funded scientists."

Find a resource

Library

Reflexivity: A Tool for Inclusive Science Communication

Reporting on Psychedelics Research or Legislation? Proceed With Caution

Tip Sheet: How To Cover Ongoing Chaos in Science Funding

Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital (DCEFF)

How Can Open Science Practices Increase Trust In Research?

NRDC Climate Storytelling Fellowship

ASME National Magazine Awards

Mycoskie-UC Berkeley Psychedelic Documentary Fellowship

AI and Science Journalism: An Uneasy Future

Covering Null Results: How To Turn “Nothing” Into News

How To Navigate the Impact of Manipulation and Removal of Federal Data: Expert Advice, Reporting Tips and Resources

Covering Vaccine Mandates and Policy in a Polarized Community

Tip Sheet: Co-Creating Science Stories With Your Audience

Can ChatGPT Help Science Writers?

When Prestige Trumps Quality in Science Reporting

Michigan Science Communicators

PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Drinking Water: An Explainer and Research Roundup

Stanford Course Empowers Students To Communicate Science to the Public

SCIP Climate/Environmental Source Book

HHS Grants Terminated

Handy AI Tools for Science Writers

Where Science Journalism and Communication Converge, and What It Means for Trust

Investigating the Climate Crisis: A Toolbox for Accessing Databases and Sources

Survey: Was Your Grant Canceled by President Trump?

Silenced Science Stories