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Library

Topic: Training
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.
Conference

Science Journalists Association of India Conference 2023

Science Journalists Association of India (SJAI)

"The Science Journalists Association of India (SJAI) is delighted to announce its inaugural conference - a one-of-its kind symposium bringing together science journalists, communicators, scientists, technologists and policymakers with a shared purpose: To shape the future of science journalism in India. We invite journalists, communicators, students, scientists and researchers to join us this November and become a part of a crucial conduit that brings together the intricacies of science and the curiosity of the public."
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.
Academic program

University of Edinburgh: MSc in science communication and public engagement

University of Edinburgh

Masters degree in science communication: "The University of Edinburgh supports a vibrant culture of science communication and public engagement and has considerable expertise across a range of science communication and public engagement practice; from dissemination of knowledge to dialogue and policy." This program does not specialize in marketing, advertising, or corporate communication.
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."
Academic program

University College London: MSc in science communication

University College London

This master's program in science communication started in September 2022. "Developed to prepare students for the growing number of science communication jobs - from journalism and broadcasting, to public relations, public engagement, and online campaigning – our MSc Science Communication focuses on state-of-the-art professional communication, journalism, and engagement expertise from around the world, combined with an academic underpinning from science and technology studies." It is offered as a one-year (full-time) or two-year (part-time) program.
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

JourLance – Connecting science journalists with global opportunities

SciComm X

"JourLance is a dynamic platform that connects talented journalists with publishers to create high-quality, diverse projects covering science, technology, environment, health, innovations, and sustainability. At JourLance, our mission is to democratize the media and bring new, unique voices to media organizations. We believe in equal opportunities for all, providing freelancing opportunities for journalists worldwide and empowering publishers to access the best science journalists without location limitations. With our platform, we strive to make the world of science and technology more accessible, diverse, and inclusive."
Resource Database / Guide

Science writing resources (elsewhere) that we like

The Open Notebook

This resource page from The Open Notebook gathers resources that "center on science journalism craft, career development, and community. That includes university degree programs and courses in science writing, workshops and other training opportunities, sources of news in the science writing world, membership organizations, major awards and honors, and other learning and professional development resources."
Resource Database / Guide

Education and training in environmental journalism

SEJ

This list of environmental journalism resources, hosted by the Society of Environmental Journalists, is primarily designed for instructors and educators, though it also includes some resources for students. It includes links to textbooks, readings on environmental journalism, teaching guides, journals in science and environmental communication, and more.
Video

NASW mid-career mentoring videos

NASW

"In the spring of 2022, NASW’s Journalism Committee offered a Mid-Career Mentoring Program. Real-time participants attended online seminars and participated in a Slack group over the course of several months. Recordings of the seminars, which feature writers and journalists sharing expertise on topics such as negotiations and contracts, mid-career resumes, career shifts, and more, are now available below for all NASW members to learn and grow from." Note that the recordings are restricted to NASW members; you must be logged into the NASW website to view.
Video

Science Editing Webinar Series

Knight Science Journalism Program at MIT

This six-webinar series will help you develop your science editing skills. "Each event features several leading science journalists who dive deep into topics including source diversity and development, covering health issues, and handling controversial topics." The series is a companion to the KSJ Science Editing Handbook (https://ksjhandbook.org/), a project of the Knight Science Journalism Fellowship at MIT.
Organization

D.C. Science Writers Association (DCSWA)

"With around 500 members, DCSWA is the largest independent regional science writing association in the country. Founded in 1987, its members include writers and editors from nearly all the major news outlets in the Washington, D.C. area, public information officers from agencies and institutions, and freelancers." "Much of DCSWA’s activity focuses around events that bring science writers and communicators together for socializing, networking and professional development. Our biggest event is our annual Professional Development Day, typically held in early April or late March."
Organization

New England Science Writers

"New England Science Writers is a professional organization of 200-plus reporters, freelancers, PIOs, producers, bloggers and authors whose work intersects science and technology. NESW provides forums to learn, explore, discuss, network and keep up with the rapidly changing world of science communication. We are based in greater Boston and serve members throughout New England."
Organization

Northern California Science Writers Association (NCSWA)

"NCSWA sponsors quarterly dinner meetings and a number of special events, including Zoom talks, happy hours, workshops and field trips. ... We also schedule several special events each year. These have included guided explorations of the Hayward Fault, the Sutter Buttes, and Jasper Ridge Reserve, behind-the-scenes tours of the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, a Napa Valley tour on the science of winemaking, campouts at UC Natural Reserves, and workshops on the business of freelancing and computer-assisted reporting. "NCSWA membership is open to open to all science writers and communicators, no matter where you live!"
Organization

Science Communicators of North Carolina (SCONC)

A volunteer organization founded in 2007 in the Research Triangle of North Carolina, SCONC develops, supports, and promotes high-quality science communication through digital media and in-person gatherings. Members of the organization can participate in networking, attend events, and apply for awards, such as an annual science communication contest and travel fellowships to professional development conferences.
Mentor program

Sharon Dunwoody Science Journalism Mentoring Program

The Open Notebook

"The Sharon Dunwoody Science Journalism Mentoring Program is a free, nine-month mentoring program aimed at increasing the diversity of voices covering science and supporting journalists who are from underrepresented communities or who have experienced higher than average barriers to entry to the field. During the course of this program, each participant will be paired with a paid mentor as part of an individually tailored learning program aimed at providing the skills and community support to help them do their best work in covering science. This program will offer participants the opportunity to explore their career interests, challenges, and passions and to sharpen their skills as part of a talented, supportive, diverse community of mentees and mentors. This mentoring program is made possible at no cost to participants through the generous support of Science Sandbox and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative."
Mentor program

The Covering Science Slack

The Open Notebook

"The Open Notebook‘s Covering Science Slack is a diverse, supportive peer-mentoring community for local and general assignment reporters and editors. Our goal is to support journalists who do not think of science, health, or environmental reporting as their beat but want to develop their skills and confidence in including scientific information and perspectives in their stories. "This community includes local and general-assignment reporters and editors, as well as a smaller number of experienced science journalists who serve as mentors within the group. Members are invited to seek (and offer) advice on any topic related to covering science, such as how to exchange ideas on topics such as finding suitable expert sources, refining story angles, evaluating scientific studies and claims, making sense of new findings and their implications, and more."
Mentor program

Ensia Mentor Program

Ensia

Ensia is a solutions-focused nonprofit media outlet reporting on our changing planet. The Ensia Mentor Program offers scientists and aspiring environmental journalists an opportunity to build their communication skills and professional network by creating an article, video, image gallery, infographic or other work on a topic of their choice for Ensia under the guidance of an experienced communicator. Mentees and mentors receive a stipend for their work.
Organization

SciLine: Scientific expertise and context on deadline

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

"SciLine works directly with U.S. journalists to support the incorporation of scientific evidence and expertise into their news stories. We facilitate one-on-one interviews with scientists, host media briefings on science topics, collect and distribute expert quotes on breaking news, and organize professional training events—with a special emphasis on the needs of local and general assignment reporters. "We also work directly with U.S. and Canadian scientists, recruiting them to serve as experts in all of our services for journalists as well as offering training to prepare them for successful interactions with the media." "SciLine is a free service for journalists and scientists based at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the world’s largest multidisciplinary scientific society. Editorially independent, nonpartisan, and funded by philanthropies, SciLine has a singular mission of enhancing the amount and quality of scientific evidence in news stories."
Organization

Capital Science Communicators (CapSciComm)

"Capital Science Communicators is an association of science writers and communicators serving California’s Capital Region — Sacramento, Davis, and beyond. "As a social and professional network, CapSciComm seeks to connect professionals and students in journalism, public relations, creative, policy, public science, and research. We hope to encourage the exchange of ideas and opportunities across all fields that intersect with the need and practice of science communication."
Organization

SciComm Trainers Network

SciComm Trainers Network

The Science Communication Trainers Network is a community of individuals and organizations who are committed to advancing science communication training that builds scientists’ capacity to engage diverse audiences and strengthen relationships across society. It has a Slack community and maintains the blog SciCommBites, a research summary blog dedicated to digesting and translating the latest science on science communication.
Organization

Northwest Science Writers Association (NSWA)

"We bring together audiences for improving the craft of writing and communication, and we hold events to spur learning about transformational themes in science. "Please consider joining us, if you agree with our mission to improve science literacy and improve the professional lives of our members. We collaborate with many other science-focused organizations in the Pacific Northwest, including Science on Tap, the Pacific Science Center, the Forum for Science, Ethics and Policy, and others. We also maintain good relationships with the National Association of Science Writers and the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing, and we have partnered on events with a range of journalism organizations including the Asian American Journalists Association-Seattle, Seattle Association of Black Journalists, and the Society of Professional Journalists Western Washington Pro Chapter."
Organization

San Diego Science Writers Association (SANDSWA)

"The San Diego Science Writers Association (SANDSWA) is a growing group of writers, including staff journalists, freelance journalists, public information officers, students and other science communicators in the region."
Organization

Science Writers Association of the Rocky Mountains (SWARM)

"The Science Writers Association of the Rocky Mountains (SWARM) works to create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community among science writers, communicators, educators, students, and others in the Rocky Mountain region who are interested in writing about science for the public. 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 and their relevance to society through scientific literacy. We host virtual and in-person events for science writers, organized by a volunteer board, and are a 501(c)(3)."