✍️Science Writing News Roundup #127
Calls for pitches to write about science, technology, education, and more + Fellowships, awards and grants for writers.
Books about the pandemic. Books about the ancient past. Books about outer space. These were a few of Science News staff’s favorite reads in 2022. And here are some of Smithsonian magazine’s favorite science books of 2022.
Welcome! You are reading the Science Writing News Roundup, a newsletter for science writers. You can also read this edition online. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Sign up here.
🔋Resources
Accessing U.S. data for research just got easier: New online portal researchdatagov.org streamlines requests for massive data sets at 16 federal agencies.
Tips to help journalists cope with pandemic and other stress.
Tips for journalists reporting on Ebola: For journalists reporting on this outbreak and preparing for future ones, here is what to to know to stay safe and cover the topic effectively.
Making good journalistic trouble, Part II: Highlighting urgency and proximity. Nonfiction stories should include reporting that shows that distant-seeming problems are closer and more immediate than realized.
How journalists can combat AI bias: Here are some ways to take algorithmic bias into consideration when using AI in the newsroom.
New report: How audiences follow news about climate change. The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism published a new report on how audiences around the world follow any new developments on the climate crisis.
How to improve your chances of finding a job + Tips if you’re getting started in science writing👉Bonus content for monthly supporters.
📏Articles
Pulitzer Center grantee Amy Maxmen speaks on inequality as a frontier for science journalism: “If you believe that the point of science is progress, which is what I believe, then there’s not going to be progress if the fruits of science aren’t widely distributed to people.”
How indoor air quality in schools affects student learning and health. Some U.S. schools plan to use federal pandemic relief funds to improve indoor air quality. Journalists covering the issue need to know what the research says about classroom air quality and how pollutants can affect student health and achievement.
Joshua Sokol explores the night sky and our relationship with it: Joshua Sokol recently spoke with Pratik Pawar about his process of pitching, reporting, and writing. He also shared his process of gaining trust and getting access to sources, including reporting in Indigenous communities as an outsider.
📨News
A hub for training better public health communicators: Revamped Center for Health Communication at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health develops programs to help students and researchers communicate more effectively.
Journals to trial tool that automatically flags reproducibility and transparency issues in papers. The tool, Ripeta, has existed since 2017 and has already been run on millions of journal papers following its release, but now the tool’s creators have enabled its latest versions to be run on papers before peer review.
🛋️Opportunities
Media and Medicine: How to Tell Stories That Make a Difference is an intensive program for those interested in using storytelling to advance health. Harvard University welcomes anyone interested in telling stories to improve health in the US and around the world.
Entries open for 2022’s Harding Prizes for Trustworthy Communication. In association with Sense About Science and the Science Media Centre, the Winton Centre for Risk & Evidence Communication celebrates those who tackle the communication of evidence well, with the annual Harding Prize for Trustworthy Communication.
Calls for pitches to write about science, technology, education, and more + Fellowships, awards and grants for writers 👉Bonus content for monthly supporters.
🎥Videos
A fireside chat with Jason Palmer of The Economist: His journey from research to journalism.
Connecting the dots: climate change, biodiversity loss and their impacts on our health.
Experts discuss building and sustaining public trust in science.
🖇️Events
Nuclear Risks & Consequences of Russia's War on Ukraine (December 13, 2022)
Science essentials for news editors (December 13, 2022)
“Breathless:” A Q&A with science writer David Quammen (December 14, 2022)
Academic Research as an Investigative Journalism Tool: Tips to Get You Started (December 15, 2022)
Debunk, Inform, Avoid? When might debunking be effective in communications aimed at countering vaccine-related misinformation? (December 15, 2022)
In-Person DCSWA Holiday Party 2022 (December 16, 2022)
🗂️Jobs
👉Check out 18 science writing jobs, click here to become a member!
Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive the next post in your inbox:
Worried you missed something? See previous posts here. What would you like to see in the newsletter? Please send me your suggestions: sciencewriting@substack.com