✍️Science Writing News Roundup #89 (April 11, 2022)
The best text capture tools + Tips for creating infographics, writing a popular science book, and getting into explainer journalism.
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🗺️ Articles
Storytelling and science journalism: in conversation with Dr. Kit Chapman. Dr. Kit Chapman shares how his award-winning science journalism practice and zeal for storytelling are shaping Falmouth’s online MA Journalism course.
5 questions reporters and editors should ask to diversify their sources. Diversity in sourcing quite simply makes our journalism better. More reflective of our world. And more accessible.
Tracy Vonder Brink's Guide to Tackling Tough Topics for Kids. “As science journalists and writers, we have an obligation to reach kids, and reach them effectively, because they are the future adults who will make the decisions that can change the world. So, how do we write for kids when the going gets tough?”
Opinion: What the media needs to get right in the next pandemic. Journalists should get comfortable saying that we do not know for sure, sharing what evidence we have, and being okay with not knowing.
📌 Opportunities
Calls for pitches: Opportunities to write about 1) Health, climate, biotechnology, space, energy, robotics + 2) Neuroscience + 3) Climate + 4) Biotechnology + 5) Science + 6) Energy [Bonus content for monthly supporters]
Special Call for Proposals: Biodiversity in the Tropical Forests. Journalists, editors, and independent media organizations are invited to submit a proposal on the biodiversity of tropical rainforests in Southeast Asia.
UWE Bristol's Science Communication (SCU) Masterclass is an intensive short course created to provide professional development in science communication.
Small grants for stories on climate emergency [Brazil]. ClimaInfo, an organization committed to communicating climate science and climate change, is seeking story proposals on the climate emergency in Northeastern Brazil.
The British Council is running several activities to address the challenge of climate change. The online training program in science journalism is open to Egyptian science communicators and will be delivered in Arabic language.
✏️ Resources
The best text capture tools + Tips for creating infographics with examples and templates + Science Reporting 101: essential tips for trustworthy science reporting + Tips for writing a popular science book (2018) + Tips for getting into explainer journalism (2018) [Bonus content for monthly supporters]
Beyond the Hype: The Inside Story of Science’s Biggest Media Controversies. Beyond the Hype takes us behind the scenes of some of the most contentious stories in science over the past two decades. It demonstrates the vital importance of scientists talking to the media.
How to ghostwrite or co-author a book with experts. In this new “How I did It,” Wendy Lyons Sunshine shares her journey into book authorship and offers tips to journalists interested in collaborating with an expert on a book project.
🗨️ Videos
Using art and design in science. Three experts explain how to use design principles to better communicate scientific data.
Meghan O’Rourke on The Invisible Kingdom: Reimagining Chronic Illness
📔 Events
Solutions Journalism 101 Webinar (April 12, 2022)
Inside the Minds of Conspiracy Theorists: What Journalists Should Know (April 12, 2022)
Coffee Chat with Nicholas St. Fleur, an award-winning science journalist and children’s STEM author based in Long Island, New York. (April 13, 2022)
Writing the Pandemic: Journalism in the Age of COVID-19 (April 13, 2022)
Urban Resilience in the Age of Climate Change: A Webinar for Journalists (April 14, 2022)
A path to Covid-19 vaccine equity (April 20, 2022)
🌴 Jobs and internships
To see the jobs and internships below, please click here to become a monthly supporter:
Editorial Intern, Remote
Communications internship, Remote
Health/Science Writer, Remote
Editor-in-Chief, Remote
Staff Reporter, UK
Science Content Writer, UK
Communications Strategist, Canada
Managing Editor, NY
Communications Specialist, CA
Science Writer, U.S.-based
Content Creator, U.S.-based
Science Communication Specialist, NY
Health Reporter, PA
Science Writer, CA
Social Media Coordinator, Remote
Science Writers, Remote
Creative Content Lead, UK
Science Policy Writer, MD
Social Media Assistant, U.S.-based
Social Media Manager, MD
Reporter, Environment, MA
Social media manager, UK
Managing Editor, U.S.-based
Copy Editor, U.S.-based
Writer / Assistant Director, NY
Science Writer, TN
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