Journalism and communication practice Archives

Conference

ScienceWriters2025

NASW

"The National Association of Science Writers and the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing are excited to announce that ScienceWriters2025 will take place in Chicago, November 7-9, at the Marriott Chicago O'Hare. We are thrilled to be able to bring the community together this fall in a city with vibrant cultural and scientific opportunities. In this challenging time, we are pleased to have secured a convenient midwestern location with reasonable rates, which we hope will keep costs lower for attendees. The virtual portion of the conference will take place online October 22-24."

ScienceWriters2025

Summary:

"The National Association of Science Writers and the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing are excited to announce that ScienceWriters2025 will take place in Chicago, November 7-9, at the Marriott Chicago O'Hare. We are thrilled to be able to bring the community together this fall in a city with vibrant cultural and scientific opportunities. In this challenging time, we are pleased to have secured a convenient midwestern location with reasonable rates, which we hope will keep costs lower for attendees. The virtual portion of the conference will take place online October 22-24."

Organization:

NASW

Location:

Chicago

Dates:

November 7, 2025 - November 9, 2025

Category:

For:

VISIT

Awards

National Academies Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications

National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine

Applications for the 2025 awards are now open, with a deadline of March 31. "Submissions are now being accepted for the National Academies Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications, given by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in partnership with Schmidt Sciences. The awards honor exceptional science communicators, journalists, and research scientists who have developed creative, original work to communicate issues or advances in science, engineering, or medicine to the general public. Submissions are encouraged from individuals who have developed high-quality communications in 2024 and demonstrated the ability to communicate the spectrum of science, engineering, or medicine. The program will confer 24 awards totaling $640,000. In addition to the prize, Schmidt Sciences will help foster a vibrant and expanding community of science communications awardees by partnering with renowned journalistic institutions to provide ongoing training and professional development opportunities."

National Academies Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications

Summary:

Applications for the 2025 awards are now open, with a deadline of March 31. "Submissions are now being accepted for the National Academies Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications, given by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in partnership with Schmidt Sciences. The awards honor exceptional science communicators, journalists, and research scientists who have developed creative, original work to communicate issues or advances in science, engineering, or medicine to the general public. Submissions are encouraged from individuals who have developed high-quality communications in 2024 and demonstrated the ability to communicate the spectrum of science, engineering, or medicine. The program will confer 24 awards totaling $640,000. In addition to the prize, Schmidt Sciences will help foster a vibrant and expanding community of science communications awardees by partnering with renowned journalistic institutions to provide ongoing training and professional development opportunities."

Organization:

National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine

Category:

For:

VISIT

Conference

Building Trust in Science: A One-Day Conference for a More Informed Future

Aspen Institute

"Building Trust in Science: A One-Day Conference for a More Informed Future, a collaboration between the Aspen Institute Science & Society Program and the MIT Press, aims to bridge the gap between decades of research in neuroscience and social science about how humans process and understand information, and the vulnerabilities to misinformation and propaganda we endure when we fail to leverage this knowledge in communicating science, especially in the age of generative AI.

"This conference, planned for March 10, 2025 in Boston, at MIT in Cambridge, MA, will be ideal for science communicators, journalists, researchers, students, policymakers, and anyone interested in mobilizing knowledge for a better world. This conference will explore how journalists, science communicators, researchers, and policymakers can utilize knowledge about human learning to empower diverse groups to make informed decisions in a complex world;
combat disinformation and build trust in science and scientists;
amplify voices and perspectives historically marginalized by science and journalism; and craft impactful messaging that fosters active and engaged communities where science is a cornerstone."

Article

Landing the story: Tips for PIOs working with journalists

This article summarizes a panel session at the ScienceWriters2024 meeting in which speakers discussed how public information officers (PIOs) can better work with journalists. Speakers included Victoria Jaggard, executive editor at Science News magazine; Laura Helmuth, the recent editor-in-chief of Scientific American; Jeff Grabmeier, Senior Director of Research Communications at Ohio State University; and Kelly Tyrrell, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Content Strategy at University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Conference

Science Talk ’25

Association of Science Communicators

"In 2025 we are highlighting the importance of ecosystem building over a wide spectrum of science communication activities, and exploring how various areas of scicomm can come together and span boundaries to solve problems and benefit society." Early bird registration opens December 15, and the conference program is coming soon.

Video

Communicating science to a skeptical public: “Your Local Epidemiologist” Katelyn Jetelina

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

"Launched as a 'direct line' to accessible information during the COVID-19 pandemic, the newsletter “Your Local Epidemiologist” has blossomed into a trusted, wide-ranging science source to more than 250,000 followers. In this event, the newsletter’s founder, epidemiologist and data scientist Katelyn Jetelina, speaks about how public health leaders can cut through misinformation and partisanship with effective, empathetic communication."

Communicating science to a skeptical public: “Your Local Epidemiologist” Katelyn Jetelina

Summary:

"Launched as a 'direct line' to accessible information during the COVID-19 pandemic, the newsletter “Your Local Epidemiologist” has blossomed into a trusted, wide-ranging science source to more than 250,000 followers. In this event, the newsletter’s founder, epidemiologist and data scientist Katelyn Jetelina, speaks about how public health leaders can cut through misinformation and partisanship with effective, empathetic communication."

Organization:

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Date:

October 28, 2024

Category:

For:

VISIT

Resource Database / Guide

Tip sheet: The story behind award-winning stories: A conversation with Usha Lee McFarling

CASW Connector

When it comes to finding story ideas, Usha Lee McFarling has a simple tip: “Have your curiosity hat on,” she says. McFarling, national science correspondent for STAT, was the featured guest at an October 9 Connector Chat. She has won numerous awards throughout her career, including being part of a team that won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize in explanatory journalism. Most recently, McFarling was named the recipient of the 2024 Victor Cohn Prize for Excellence in Medical Science Reporting. Facilitating the conversation was Steve Padilla, writing coach and Column One editor at the Los Angeles Times.

Tip sheet: The story behind award-winning stories: A conversation with Usha Lee McFarling

Summary:

When it comes to finding story ideas, Usha Lee McFarling has a simple tip: “Have your curiosity hat on,” she says. McFarling, national science correspondent for STAT, was the featured guest at an October 9 Connector Chat. She has won numerous awards throughout her career, including being part of a team that won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize in explanatory journalism. Most recently, McFarling was named the recipient of the 2024 Victor Cohn Prize for Excellence in Medical Science Reporting. Facilitating the conversation was Steve Padilla, writing coach and Column One editor at the Los Angeles Times.

Organization:

CASW Connector

Date:

October 23, 2024

Category:

For:

VISIT

Resource Database / Guide

Insights and practical considerations for communicating basic science

Kavli Foundation, U.S. Department of Energy

This report provides "a synthesis of five years’ worth of themes, takeaways, tips, and new questions to explore going forward for basic scientists, science communicators, communications trainers, social science researchers, and more." It summarizes discussions from the Science Public Engagement Partnership, a collaboration between the Kavli Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Insights and practical considerations for communicating basic science

Summary:

This report provides "a synthesis of five years’ worth of themes, takeaways, tips, and new questions to explore going forward for basic scientists, science communicators, communications trainers, social science researchers, and more." It summarizes discussions from the Science Public Engagement Partnership, a collaboration between the Kavli Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Organization:

Kavli Foundation, U.S. Department of Energy

Date:

October 17, 2024

Category:

For:

VISIT

Resource Database / Guide

The Public Health Communicators Guide to Misinformation

Public Health Communications Collaborative

"Building continued trust in public health requires communicators to learn how to identify false narratives and respond with clarity, accurate information, and accessible language. This guide, developed by the Public Health Communications Collaborative in partnership with the Infodemiology Training Program, provides foundational insights into the current misinformation landscape and an overview of tools for assessing risk and determining responses."

The Public Health Communicators Guide to Misinformation

Summary:

"Building continued trust in public health requires communicators to learn how to identify false narratives and respond with clarity, accurate information, and accessible language. This guide, developed by the Public Health Communications Collaborative in partnership with the Infodemiology Training Program, provides foundational insights into the current misinformation landscape and an overview of tools for assessing risk and determining responses."

Organization:

Public Health Communications Collaborative

Date:

September 18, 2024

Category:

For:

VISIT

Resource Database / Guide

The Climate Blueprint

Covering Climate Now, Solutions Journalism Network

This collection of articles includes reflections from leading climate journalists about how to better cover the all-encompassing climate crisis. It includes connecting climate to every beat, engagement, visualization, disinformation, local journalism, identifying impact, collaborations, and more. The project was led by Solutions Journalism Network and Covering Climate Now, following discussions from a conference in fall 2023.

The Climate Blueprint

Summary:

This collection of articles includes reflections from leading climate journalists about how to better cover the all-encompassing climate crisis. It includes connecting climate to every beat, engagement, visualization, disinformation, local journalism, identifying impact, collaborations, and more. The project was led by Solutions Journalism Network and Covering Climate Now, following discussions from a conference in fall 2023.

Organization:

Covering Climate Now, Solutions Journalism Network

Date:

September 26, 2024

Category:

For:

VISIT

Video

CivicSciTV Network – YouTube

Civic Science Media Lab

CivicSciTV is a broadcasting network built and managed by the Civic Science Media Lab (CS Media Lab) that is mapping the civic nature of science which pertains to how science and its practitioners are interacting with local communities to solve real-world problems and foster informed decision-making. Through the practice of civic science journalism, the primary goal for the network is to engage scholars and practitioners across the landscape to make new insights more accessible, informative, and actionable for scientists across different career stages, science engagement practitioners (science communicators, science journalists, science educators, funders, entrepreneurs) and other decision-makers. Additional coverage is also provided on print and radio. The CS Media Lab is directed by former neuroscientist turned civic science scholar-journalist Fanuel Muindi, who is a professor of practice in the College of Arts, Media, and Design (CAMD) at Northeastern University.

CivicSciTV Network – YouTube

Summary:

CivicSciTV is a broadcasting network built and managed by the Civic Science Media Lab (CS Media Lab) that is mapping the civic nature of science which pertains to how science and its practitioners are interacting with local communities to solve real-world problems and foster informed decision-making. Through the practice of civic science journalism, the primary goal for the network is to engage scholars and practitioners across the landscape to make new insights more accessible, informative, and actionable for scientists across different career stages, science engagement practitioners (science communicators, science journalists, science educators, funders, entrepreneurs) and other decision-makers. Additional coverage is also provided on print and radio. The CS Media Lab is directed by former neuroscientist turned civic science scholar-journalist Fanuel Muindi, who is a professor of practice in the College of Arts, Media, and Design (CAMD) at Northeastern University.

Organization:

Civic Science Media Lab

Category:

For:

VISIT

Article

Writing tips for kids: Nailing the art of science writing

Sam Lloyd, a scientist and children's book author, shares insights about science and nature writing for children. "When we are writing about science and nature, non-fiction offers us endless opportunities to observe and translate information from the real world into a format that children will enjoy and learn from," she writes.

Newsletter

Cracking the Code: How to Navigate Trust in Science Conversations

American Chemical Society (ACS)

"The Cracking the Code: How to Navigate Trust in Science Conversations email course is here to equip you with the tools and skills you need to foster trust in science through meaningful conversations. Whether you're a seasoned researcher or just passionate about scientific topics, you'll learn how to engage in constructive dialogues, listen actively with empathy, and navigate potentially divisive discussions with confidence." This asynchronous email course is delivered weekly over seven weeks.

Cracking the Code: How to Navigate Trust in Science Conversations

Summary:

"The Cracking the Code: How to Navigate Trust in Science Conversations email course is here to equip you with the tools and skills you need to foster trust in science through meaningful conversations. Whether you're a seasoned researcher or just passionate about scientific topics, you'll learn how to engage in constructive dialogues, listen actively with empathy, and navigate potentially divisive discussions with confidence." This asynchronous email course is delivered weekly over seven weeks.

Organization:

American Chemical Society (ACS)

Category:

For:

VISIT

Resource Database / Guide

A practical guide to planning an engagement strategy for your global health research funding application

"This Mesh practical guide outlines how to plan a Community Engagement and Involvement (CEI*) strategy for a grant application. The guide describes how many global health funding agencies demand that CEI is fully integrated into any proposed research and it outlines some ways of engaging communities and relevant stakeholders whilst preparing a funding application. It also describes what to include in a thoughtful and appropriate engagement strategy that is integrated into research."

A practical guide to planning an engagement strategy for your global health research funding application

Summary:

"This Mesh practical guide outlines how to plan a Community Engagement and Involvement (CEI*) strategy for a grant application. The guide describes how many global health funding agencies demand that CEI is fully integrated into any proposed research and it outlines some ways of engaging communities and relevant stakeholders whilst preparing a funding application. It also describes what to include in a thoughtful and appropriate engagement strategy that is integrated into research."

Published By:

Mesh Community Engagement Network

Date:

June 5, 2024

Category:

For:

VISIT

Article

Repetition makes climate misinformation feel more true — even for those who back climate science

"Climate misinformation may be more effective than we’d like to think because of a phenomenon called the illusory truth effect. In short, we are more likely to believe a lie if we encounter it repeatedly. Worse, the effect works immediately — a lie seems to be more true even after just one repetition." This article in Nieman Lab summarizes a recent paper by the same authors (https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0307294) in which the researchers put the illusory truth effect to the test among people with strongly held existing beliefs.

Repetition makes climate misinformation feel more true — even for those who back climate science

Summary:

"Climate misinformation may be more effective than we’d like to think because of a phenomenon called the illusory truth effect. In short, we are more likely to believe a lie if we encounter it repeatedly. Worse, the effect works immediately — a lie seems to be more true even after just one repetition." This article in Nieman Lab summarizes a recent paper by the same authors (https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0307294) in which the researchers put the illusory truth effect to the test among people with strongly held existing beliefs.

Published By:

NiemanLab

Date:

August 12, 2024

Category:

For:

VISIT

Video

Engaging the public on LGBTQ health: A conversation with journalist Erin Reed

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

In this virtual event presented by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and LGBTQ Health Center of Excellence, journalist and activist Erin Reed spoke to Ivan Hsiao, founder of Trans Health HQ. They discussed "ways to translate and disseminate research about LGBTQ health for policy and public discourse, combat misinformation and disinformation, and support progress toward a more equitable future for the LGBTQ community."

Engaging the public on LGBTQ health: A conversation with journalist Erin Reed

Summary:

In this virtual event presented by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and LGBTQ Health Center of Excellence, journalist and activist Erin Reed spoke to Ivan Hsiao, founder of Trans Health HQ. They discussed "ways to translate and disseminate research about LGBTQ health for policy and public discourse, combat misinformation and disinformation, and support progress toward a more equitable future for the LGBTQ community."

Organization:

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Date:

July 24, 2024

Category:

For:

VISIT

Video

Talking shop: When debunking climate disinformation gets labeled “censorship”

Covering Climate Now

"Increasingly, disinformation peddlers are protecting their lies by accusing anyone who fact-checks or debunks climate disinformation of censorship, bias, or being anti–free speech and debate. How can journalists preempt such charges, or deal with them, as we continue to tackle climate disinformation on the beat? In this press briefing, co-sponsored by Covering Climate Now and Climate Action Against Disinformation, experts detailed strategies used by disinformers to discredit journalists and how you can protect your reporting and serve your audiences. Kendra Pierre-Louis of Bloomberg; Marco Silva of BBC News; and Wudan Yan, freelance journalist, fact-checker, and entrepreneur, joined moderator Amy Westervelt, executive editor of Drilled, for a one-hour conversation."

Talking shop: When debunking climate disinformation gets labeled “censorship”

Summary:

"Increasingly, disinformation peddlers are protecting their lies by accusing anyone who fact-checks or debunks climate disinformation of censorship, bias, or being anti–free speech and debate. How can journalists preempt such charges, or deal with them, as we continue to tackle climate disinformation on the beat? In this press briefing, co-sponsored by Covering Climate Now and Climate Action Against Disinformation, experts detailed strategies used by disinformers to discredit journalists and how you can protect your reporting and serve your audiences. Kendra Pierre-Louis of Bloomberg; Marco Silva of BBC News; and Wudan Yan, freelance journalist, fact-checker, and entrepreneur, joined moderator Amy Westervelt, executive editor of Drilled, for a one-hour conversation."

Organization:

Covering Climate Now

Date:

June 18, 2024

Category:

For:

VISIT

Video

Trust in science: Understanding the trends and implications for science communication

National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine

"Recent survey data show declines in trust in science that mirror earlier trends for other institutions, including journalism and government. New research is shedding additional light on those patterns and illuminating some of the mechanisms that underlie the aggregated trends." In this May 30, 2024, National Academies webinar, researchers considered the differences between credibility, confidence, and trust; described new empirical findings; and discussed the implications for how to communicate science in a complex information landscape. Moderated by Mariette DiChristina of Boston University, panelists are Katherine Ognyanova of Rutgers University, Arthur Lupia of the University of Michigan, and Liz Hamel of KFF.

Trust in science: Understanding the trends and implications for science communication

Summary:

"Recent survey data show declines in trust in science that mirror earlier trends for other institutions, including journalism and government. New research is shedding additional light on those patterns and illuminating some of the mechanisms that underlie the aggregated trends." In this May 30, 2024, National Academies webinar, researchers considered the differences between credibility, confidence, and trust; described new empirical findings; and discussed the implications for how to communicate science in a complex information landscape. Moderated by Mariette DiChristina of Boston University, panelists are Katherine Ognyanova of Rutgers University, Arthur Lupia of the University of Michigan, and Liz Hamel of KFF.

Organization:

National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine

Date:

May 30, 2024

Category:

Journalism and communication practice

For:

VISIT

Article

What’s a nationally representative sample? 5 things you need to know to report accurately on research

"Journalists can’t report accurately on research involving human subjects without knowing certain details about the sample of people researchers studied. It’s important to know, for example, whether researchers used a nationally representative sample." This article explains what a nationally representative sample is, why this is important, and how journalists can evaluate such samples when covering research papers.

Resource Database / Guide

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

CASW Connector, The Journalist's Resource

On July 11, CASW Connector and The Journalist’s Resource hosted a Chat discussing how journalists can better cover hot-button topics, focusing on abortion as an example of a medical topic that has become increasingly political. The panelists shared lessons from their research and reporting, offered guidance for journalists covering abortion, and answered questions from the audience. The event was moderated by Naseem Miller, senior health editor at The Journalist’s Resource, and the panelists were Sarah McCammon, national political correspondent at NPR who covers abortion policy among other divisive topics, and Katie Woodruff, public health social scientist in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Services at the University of California, San Francisco.

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

Summary:

On July 11, CASW Connector and The Journalist’s Resource hosted a Chat discussing how journalists can better cover hot-button topics, focusing on abortion as an example of a medical topic that has become increasingly political. The panelists shared lessons from their research and reporting, offered guidance for journalists covering abortion, and answered questions from the audience. The event was moderated by Naseem Miller, senior health editor at The Journalist’s Resource, and the panelists were Sarah McCammon, national political correspondent at NPR who covers abortion policy among other divisive topics, and Katie Woodruff, public health social scientist in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Services at the University of California, San Francisco.

Organization:

CASW Connector, The Journalist's Resource

Date:

July 18, 2024

Category:

For:

VISIT

Video

Media briefing: Tips for journalists reporting on opinion polls and surveys

SciLine

"Polling and survey research is evolving, posing an election-year challenge for reporters striving to convey results accurately and in appropriate historical context. This briefing covers current trends and novel approaches in opinion polling, the strengths and weaknesses of common types of polls and surveys, and how to interpret and report on results skillfully." Courtney Kennedy of the Pew Research Center, Gary Langer of Langer Research Associates, and Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux from the Associated Press provided examples and advice and responded to journalists’ questions.

Media briefing: Tips for journalists reporting on opinion polls and surveys

Summary:

"Polling and survey research is evolving, posing an election-year challenge for reporters striving to convey results accurately and in appropriate historical context. This briefing covers current trends and novel approaches in opinion polling, the strengths and weaknesses of common types of polls and surveys, and how to interpret and report on results skillfully." Courtney Kennedy of the Pew Research Center, Gary Langer of Langer Research Associates, and Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux from the Associated Press provided examples and advice and responded to journalists’ questions.

Organization:

SciLine

Date:

May 9, 2024

Category:

For:

Journalists

VISIT

Book

Engaging With the Press: A Guide for Perplexed Readers and Sources

"We train scientists and health professionals to collect and analyze evidence. Yet we’re far less intentional about equipping them to credibly communicate it in an increasingly skeptical and fragmented world." This resource, by veteran news executive Richard J. (Dick) Tofel, aims to address this challenge by preparing scientists, health professionals, and other sources of the news media to better understand the world of journalism and how they can engage with it. It describes the motivations of reporters, editors, and publishers; how material from sources is received; challenges for readers and sources, and more.

Conference

News Impact Summit: Fighting climate misinformation

European Journalism Centre

"The News Impact Summit in Copenhagen, organized in partnership with the Google News Initiative, will address how climate misinformation undermines public trust in climate policies and stalls progress toward a green transition." Journalists and media professionals who attend the summit will attend talks, panels, workshops, and interactive discussions that "explore innovative storytelling techniques to highlight the urgency of climate action, debunk falsehoods, and empower communities to demand accountability from policymakers and industry stakeholders."

Conference

Communicating Discovery Science – International symposium

Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology (CREST) at Stellenbosch University

This symposium, sponsored by the Kavli Foundation, "aims to deepen understanding of effective public engagement around Discovery Science, also known as basic or foundational science, by exploring ways to improve the practice of communicating Discovery Science, share insights and create a supportive community for scientists and science communication practitioners focused on basic science."

Book

50 Essentials on Science Communication

"This handy and entertaining book provides the basics of goal-oriented science communication. It is aimed at career-building scientists and anyone who wants to take their first steps in the field of science communication. Experienced international authors in the field share their essential thoughts on important aspects of contemporary science communication."

Find a resource

Library

ScienceWriters2025

National Academies Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications

Building Trust in Science: A One-Day Conference for a More Informed Future

Landing the story: Tips for PIOs working with journalists

Science Talk ’25

Communicating science to a skeptical public: “Your Local Epidemiologist” Katelyn Jetelina

Tip sheet: The story behind award-winning stories: A conversation with Usha Lee McFarling

Insights and practical considerations for communicating basic science

The Public Health Communicators Guide to Misinformation

The Climate Blueprint

CivicSciTV Network – YouTube

Writing tips for kids: Nailing the art of science writing

A practical guide to planning an engagement strategy for your global health research funding application

Repetition makes climate misinformation feel more true — even for those who back climate science

Engaging the public on LGBTQ health: A conversation with journalist Erin Reed

Talking shop: When debunking climate disinformation gets labeled “censorship”

Trust in science: Understanding the trends and implications for science communication

What’s a nationally representative sample? 5 things you need to know to report accurately on research

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

Media briefing: Tips for journalists reporting on opinion polls and surveys

Engaging With the Press: A Guide for Perplexed Readers and Sources

News Impact Summit: Fighting climate misinformation

Communicating Discovery Science – International symposium

50 Essentials on Science Communication