Council for the Advancement of Science Writing

I'm working behind the scenes on something very cool that means I'm looking at a whole bunch of upcoming deadlines for science journalism fellowships and awards. There are so many! So here's a little roundup: • National Institute for Health Care Management (NIHCM) Foundation Health Care Journalism Grants - deadline is TOMORROW, Oct. 25: https://lnkd.in/eVQ36NJR • The Open Notebook Early Career Fellowship - deadline is Oct. 31 to apply: https://lnkd.in/ebpYhqan • The Grady-Stack Award from the American Chemical Society - Nominations due by Nov. 1: https://lnkd.in/ehzXQzf7 • The Good Science Project–Johns Hopkins MA in Science Writing Fellowship - $5,000 reporting grants - applications due Nov. 15: https://lnkd.in/euDKWmCJ • AACR's June L. Biedler Prize for Cancer Journalism - Enter by Dec. 9: https://lnkd.in/emRJr4zY • International applications are due by Dec. 1 for both the Knight-Wallace fellowships at University of Michigan (https://lnkd.in/e4ZyBAiJ) and the Nieman Foundation Fellowships at Harvard (https://lnkd.in/eAK62wpZ). (The deadline for U.S. citizens is in early 2025 for both programs.)

It was an honor to represent the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing at The White House last week. Thank you to my former Wilson Center colleagues Maxine Burkett, the White House Assistant Director for Climate, Ocean, and Equity, and ECSP Director Lauren Herzer Risi for hosting such important and illuminating discussions about why community-led climate programs are essential for a just and peaceful energy transition.

Looking forward to attending my very first National Association of Science Writers x Council for the Advancement of Science Writing annual conference in Raleigh, North Carolina next month! #SciWri24 And I'm super excited to be moderating a panel all about science podcasting featuring podcast co-creators/co-hosts Cynthia Graber (of Gastropod) and Zakiya Whatley, PhD (of Dope Labs). We're calling the workshop "Honing your podcast superpowers: For beginners and seasoned producers." Hope to see you there! Here's the description if you want to learn more: Audio is a powerful medium for science storytelling–podcasts are approachable and intimate, bringing your words directly to your audience’s ears and transporting them somewhere new. But how do you start a podcast as a science communicator, and, more critically, how do you build momentum, listenership and funding sufficient to sustain it? This interactive workshop will take you through the steps to supercharge your audio strategy and answer all your burning questions about running a successful science podcast–whether you’re a communicator for a government institution or university interested in launching a show or a freelance journalist looking for a new funding model for your long-running pod. Plus, you’ll have a chance to brainstorm, discuss and pitch your own show ideas or existing podcasts to the community. In a troubled journalism industry, this is our science podcast peer support session.

I am excited to share that I will be traveling to #ScienceWriters2024, thanks to the support of the CASW New Horizons Travel Fellowship. I look forward to participating and learning from amazing professionals!

ANNOUNCEMENT: The National Association of Science Writers, the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing, and the Science Communicators of North Carolina encourage your support for western North Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. At this moment, we do not anticipate that this tragedy will have any impact on our ability to convene in-person for our #SciWri24 national conference in Raleigh, located many miles away. But how can attendees help? Asheville’s NPR member station, Blue Ridge Public Radio (BPR), is serving as a critical source of information, connecting people with resources and providing updates on locations where residents can find potable water, Wi-Fi and other services. We invite ScienceWriters2024 participants to join us in supporting BPR as it continues to provide life-saving updates and fill the post-storm information void. Share Our Open Letter: https://lnkd.in/g2g4eHyU Donate to BPR: https://lnkd.in/e5WQEXDh Bookmark Our Conference Website: https://lnkd.in/gQq8hD9s

ANNOUNCEMENT: The National Association of Science Writers, the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing, and the Science Communicators of North Carolina encourage your support for western North Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. At this moment, we do not anticipate that this tragedy will have any impact on our ability to convene in-person for our #SciWri24 national conference in Raleigh, located many miles away. But how can attendees help? Asheville’s NPR member station, Blue Ridge Public Radio (BPR), is serving as a critical source of information, connecting people with resources and providing updates on locations where residents can find potable water, Wi-Fi and other services. We invite ScienceWriters2024 participants to join us in supporting BPR as it continues to provide life-saving updates and fill the post-storm information void. Share Our Open Letter: https://lnkd.in/g2g4eHyU Donate to BPR: https://lnkd.in/e5WQEXDh Bookmark Our Conference Website: https://lnkd.in/gQq8hD9s

Reminder: Join Usha Lee McFarling and Steve Padilla in tomorrow's Connector Chat! Even if you can't make it, registering ensures you'll receive an email with the video recording and a tipsheet with notes and resources from the event. 

Happening this Wednesday!! There's still time to register!

This week I joined Council for the Advancement of Science Writing as Executive Director! I am thrilled to help increase and improve science journalism and writing, which are essential to the health of our democracy and the well-being of our people and our planet. Thank you Robin Lloyd and the board for this opportunity. Under the leadership of the incomparable Rosalind Reid, CASW raised $5.5 million to expand its programs, launched the Science Journalism Initiative including the CASW Connector, added new fellowships and awards, including the Sharon Begley Reporting Award, and much more. I’m especially grateful that Ros has agreed to serve as Senior Advisor and share her invaluable insights with me. And I can’t wait to work with Laura Dattaro, Sylvia Kantor, Amber Dance, Kate Travis, Betsy Ladyzhets and the rest of the small but mighty CASW team. https://lnkd.in/gC63wvPM I'm so excited to partner with National Association of Science Writers and its intrepid leader Tinsley D. to convene the ScienceWriters2024 conference, which will be held Nov 8-11 in Raleigh, NC and Oct 17-18 online. Register today as it’s filling up fast: https://lnkd.in/gvBNtwx8 I'm also excited to continue to work on the Science, Health, & Environment Reporting Fellowship (SHERF) with incredible partners at the Society of Environmental Journalists including Aparna Mukherjee and Meagan Jeanette and the team at Association of Health Care Journalists: Kelsey Ryan, Melody Morgan, and Katherine Reed. Looking forward to seeing everyone at #SEJ2025 and #AHCJ25! https://lnkd.in/g9WVUA4w And I’m honored to continue to serve on the board of The Uproot Project, the membership org for environmental journalists of color, led by the inspiring Lucia Priselac; and on the advisory councils of Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk, led by the innovative Sara Shipley Hiles, and of Planet Forward, led by inimitable Frank Sesno. As I wrap up my time as a Public Policy Scholar I want to thank Lauren Herzer Risi of Wilson Center | Environmental Change and Security Program for welcoming me back to this vibrant community of scholars. Nonpartisan dialogue about the environment & security has never been more critical. https://lnkd.in/gzYnJ8Vs WOW - (almost) all of these awesome journalism leaders are women! Shout-out to all who give so generously of their time & themselves to help others tell the world’s most important stories. It’s truly an honor to continue to work with and learn from all of you. https://lnkd.in/gsUnD6DN

This week in the Science Writing News Roundup: 👉A new freelance business works like a “dating app for fact-checking” 👉The story behind award-winning stories: A conversation with Usha Lee McFarling 👉How to apply for the Oxford #Climate Journalism Network (Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism) Read more: https://lnkd.in/eFNp9REZ