Find a resource

Search our curated database of articles, guides, training programs, conferences, fellowships, and more.

The text search and filters will all narrow your results at the same time. If you aren’t seeing many results for a search, try clicking “Clear Filters” to see more options.

Find more tips for using this database at the Starter Guide page.

Library

Topic: Scientists
Fellowships & Grants

Joan Shorenstein Fellowship Program

Harvard

"The Joan Shorenstein Fellowship Program is designed to bring journalists, scholars, politicians and policymakers to the Shorenstein Center for a semester to work on a project with a tangible output, and engage with students, faculty, other fellows, and the broader Harvard Kennedy School community." Journalists, politicians, scholars, policymakers, and documentary filmmakers are all eligible to apply for this fellowship. The program includes a stipend along with access to Harvard research resources. Applications are currently open for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Article

How scientists can help reporters cover disasters

This interview between journalist Dan Falk and ocean chemist Christopher Reddy discusses what reporters and researchers can do to better work together on covering natural disasters and other scientific events with major impacts. "I’ll tell [colleagues] that journalists and scientists have a lot more in common — we both like to chase, we both like to investigate, and we like to write up what we find, and do it in a clever way, that people leave nourished," Reddy says.
Workshop

Conversations on trust in science and technology

University of Waterloo

This event featured Nobel Laureate Donna Strickland, who spoke on the importance of trust in science and technology, followed by a panel discussion with Canada Research Chair Ashley Mehlenbacher, and University of Waterloo's Dean of Engineering Mary Wells. The lecture launched a new scholarly network at the University of Waterloo, called the "Trust in Research Undertaken in Science and Technology (TRuST)" network. Find more details and a link to a video of the event at the link below.
Resource Database / Guide

SciComm Lexicon: A visual science communication glossary

The SciComm Lexicon is a glossary of more than 170 terms, many of them illustrated, that "will help scientists and communicators alike better understand, reflect on and apply the concepts or best practices of science communication." The creators will soon release a graphic novel called "The SciComm Letters" as well.
Workshop

Are Facts Enough? The Power of Community – Annual science literacy workshop

Gairdner Foundation, Canadian Association of Science Centres

"The Gairdner Foundation's second annual Science Literacy Workshop is back on September 21! In partnership with the Canadian Association of Science Centres' ScienceUpFirst initiative and RCIScience, and sponsored by the Government of Canada and CIHR and TELUS Health, this free, in-person workshop will explore what science literacy is and its role in building science culture. Join us during Science Literacy Week as we seek to uncover the power of community, and how researchers and science communicators can work with and within communities to foster science culture from the ground up. This interactive workshop is a unique opportunity to network and collaborate." Attendees can join in-person (and receive free dinner) or watch the event online through a livestream.
Source database

Diverse Sources: Science, health, and environment experts available on deadline

"Diverse Sources is a searchable database of underrepresented experts in the areas of science, health and the environment. Anyone who considers themselves underrepresented and is willing to respond to journalists on deadline is encouraged to join (including but not limited to ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, language, mental health experience, nationality, physical abilities, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, veteran status, etc.)."
Organization

Science Editor

Science Editor is a magazine published by the Council of Science Editors (CSE). New issues are published quarterly, in print and online. "The mission of Science Editor is to provide editors and staff with the knowledge, skills, and concepts they need to run the best version of their journal or other publication in pursuit of improving the scientific literature."
Organization

Council of Science Editors (CSE)

"The Council of Science Editors (CSE) is an international membership organization for editorial professionals publishing in the sciences. Our purpose is to serve over 800 members in the scientific, scientific publishing, and information science communities by fostering networking, education, discussion, and exchange. Our aim is to be an authoritative resource on current and emerging issues in the communication of scientific information."
Conference

AMWA 2023: Medical Writing & Communication Conference

American Medical Writers Association (AMWA)

The American Medical Writers Association (AMWA)'s annual conference includes training sessions and networking opportunities. Topics for the 2023 meeting include regulatory writing, health communication, scientific publications, career development, freelancing, grant writing, and more.
Video

Making your science newsworthy

Green Science Policy Institute

In this video, Green Science Policy Institute Communications Director Rebecca Fuoco gives a 10-minute talk explaining how scientists can make their research interesting and accessible to the news media. The talk covers logistical details such as embargoes as well as how to frame novel research insights so that journalists may take notice.
Organization

American Medical Writers Association (AMWA)

"The American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) is the resource for professional medical communicators, promoting excellence in medical communication and providing educational resources in support of that goal. Founded in 1940, AMWA is the leading professional organization for writers, editors, and other communicators of medical information." Members receive access to resources, networking opportunities, and the organization's annual conference.
Conference

American Association for the Advancement of Science: Annual Meeting 2024

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

The AAAS Annual Meeting is one of the largest science conferences in the world. As such, it typically draws many science journalists and communicators who cover meeting talks and participate in networking events, such as the Kavli Awards reception. About the 2024 meeting, AAAS President and Chair Keith Yamamoto writes: "The Annual Meeting theme, Toward Science Without Walls, will explore the consequences of barriers that currently fragment our community, separating us by discipline, approach, institution, nation, access, wealth, seniority, race, and gender. We will consider solutions, and envision a seamless ecosystem that would drive more innovative, equitable, rapid, open science and technology."
Resource Database / Guide

Epic list of math communicators

"There is an abundance of amazing channels, websites, and organizations dedicated to making math accessible and engaging. So I decided to compile a list of over 100 math communication resources," list author Suzza Silver writes. Silver includes videos, podcasts, books, articles, websites, and more. The list is built in Notion, so users of the web app can make their own copy of the list.
Conference

Talking Maths in Public

Talking Maths in Public is a U.K.-based conference that runs every two years for people who work in, or otherwise participate in, communicating mathematics to the public. The event is independently organized, and funded by ticket sales and grants from mathematical institutions. TMiP is run by an independent committee of people who work in different areas of math communication, and the event includes workshops provided by expert guests, discussions on varied topics, networking sessions and chances to share ideas and showcase projects. For those in the U.S., you can learn about and join an effort to create a U.S. based conference inspired by TMiP here: https://mathcommunications.com/
Article

Science communication: a career where PhDs can make a difference

"Communicating about science allows researchers to step away from the minutiae of a subdiscipline and to once again explore the breadth of science more fully through an ever-evolving array of stories. A doctoral degree can confer distinct advantages in the eyes of prospective editors and employers. Here I describe those advantages, possible career directions, and steps toward making such a transition."
Conference

SciPEP 2023: New Insights for Communicating Basic Science

SciPEP (Science Public Engagement Partnership), a collaboration of The Kavli Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy, will host a virtual conference for science communication scholars, practitioners, and trainers to exchange research and insights, and engage around ideas for next steps to support discovery science communication. The two-day program, to be held July 25-26, 2023, follows up on a 2021 convening that brought together more than 1,200 participants from 60 countries.
Book

Science Blogging: The Essential Guide

"Here is the essential how-to guide for communicating scientific research and discoveries online, ideal for journalists, researchers, and public information officers looking to reach a wide lay audience. Drawing on the cumulative experience of 27 of the greatest minds in scientific communication, this invaluable handbook targets the specific questions and concerns of the scientific community, offering help in a wide range of digital areas, including blogging, creating podcasts, tweeting, and more. With step-by-step guidance and one-stop expertise, this is the book every scientist, science writer, and practitioner needs to approach the Wild West of the Web with knowledge and confidence."
Book

Alternative Careers in Science: Leaving the Ivory Tower

"Many science students find themselves in the midst of graduate school or sitting at a lab bench, and realize that they hate lab work! Even worse is realizing that they may love science, but science (at least academic science) is not providing many job opportunities these days. What's a poor researcher to do!? This book gives first-hand descriptions of the evolution of a band of hardy scientists out of the lab and into just about every career you can imagine. Researchers from every branch of science found their way into finance, public relations, consulting, business development, journalism, and more - and thrived there! Each author tells their personal story, including descriptions of their career path, a typical day, where to find information on their job, opportunities to career growth, and more."
Resource Database / Guide

Individual Development Plan

This interactive website (produced by AAAS's Science Careers) provides Ph.D. students in the sciences with exercises to help better understand and start pursuing their career goals. It includes: exercises to help you examine your skills, interests, and values; a list of 20 scientific career paths with a prediction of which ones best fit your skills and interests; a tool for setting strategic goals for the coming year, with optional reminders to keep you on track; and articles and resources to guide you through the process.
Book

How to Get Started in Freelance Science Writing

"In this book, Sheeva Azma, a freelance science writer since 2013, shares her best advice for how to transition from science to science writing. If you’re interested in freelance science writing but not sure how to get started, this book is for you. Learn about the basics of freelancing and how you can use your valuable research and critical thinking skills gained from your science background."
Source database

National Geographic Explorer Directory

National Geographic

The National Geographic directory includes a searchable database of over 4,000 scientists and source matter experts across disciplines, in addition to freelance photographers, filmmakers, and writers from around the globe. It is updated as new grantees are added and managed by the NG media team, who actively facilitate connections for interview requests, speaking engagements, pitching, etc. The media team can be reached at pressroom@ngs.org or 202-857-7027 (voicemail only).
Article

Ten simple rules for scientists engaging in science communication

The author writes: "I am a postdoctoral fellow and freelance science writer and editor. Here, I describe 10 simple rules for planning, developing, and evaluating science communication activities. Though I focus on scientists communicating with nonscientists, much of the advice applies to other forms of science communication such as expert-to-expert communication (e.g., talks and posters at conferences). As my goal is to guide inexperienced scientist-science communicators through the practical basics of getting started with science communication, the rules are ordered to encourage a step-by-step process."
Fellowships & Grants

Civic Science Fellows Program

Rita Allen Foundation

The goal of the Rita Allen Foundation's Civic Science Fellows Program "is to co-create strong, diverse, and inclusive connections between science and civic life." Civic science fellows "are emerging leaders from diverse demographic, cultural, and professional backgrounds. They are thought leaders, bridge builders, change agents, and communicators working to learn about community priorities and scientific research and bring those worlds together on equal footing to create fundamentally new ways of solving problems."  For the duration of the 18-month fellowship, civic science fellows are embedded at host institutions ranging from media organizations and scientific societies to academic institutions and philanthropies. Applications for the 2024-25 Civic Science Fellows Program will open in November 2023.
Resource Database / Guide

De-Jargonizer: Analyze the amount of jargon in your writing

Technion - Israel Institute of Technology

"The De-Jargonizer is an automated jargon identification program aimed at helping scientists and science communication trainers improve and adapt vocabulary use for a variety of audiences. The program determines the level of vocabulary and terms in a text, and divides the words into three levels: high frequency/common words; mid-frequency/normal words; and jargon – rare and technical words."
Resource Database / Guide

Science Literacy Foundation Resource Guide

Science Literacy Foundation

"Science Literacy Foundation has curated a comprehensive database of science literacy-related information, including resources in journalism, education, academia, and policy. This living, open-access document is designed to help you network, find partners, conduct research, and reach new audiences."