October 17, 2014

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Diverisity in Science Writing addressed at 2014 ScienceWriting Conference

The annual ScienceWriters meeting is a joint meeting of the National Association of Science Writers and the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing.  It is a meeting for science writers, by science writers, with content to appeal to both the newest writers and seasoned professionals.

By DNLee

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This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American

The annual ScienceWriters meeting is a joint meeting of the National Association of Science Writers and the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing. It is a meeting for science writers, by science writers, with content to appeal to both the newest writers and seasoned professionals.

This year I am attending for the first time and as a part of my ongoing advocacy work to diversify professional science communication spaces. Events I am especially looking forward to includes the Culture Dish Diversity Mixer organized by Apoorva Mandavilli and Nidhi Subbaraman as well as the professional panel the three of us organized for the meeting.

Supporting Diversity in Science Writing

On supporting science journalism

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With Speakers:

Francie Diep, Freelance science reporter

Tracie Powell, Founder, AllDigitocracy.org

Anna Lee Strachan , Freelance science producer

Nidhi Subbaraman , Staff writer, The Boston Globe's BetaBoston

Philip Yam, Managing editor, Scientific American

Moderated by Apoorva Mandavilli, Director, SFARI.org

Please follow along the via the hashtag #DivSciWri (Diversity in Science Writing, Diverse Science Writers) and the conference hashtag #SciWri14

My long-time collaborator Dr. Alberto Roca and I secured an NASW Idea grant so as to financially assist journalists from underpresented groups to attend this meeting. It was an impressive field of applicants. I will meet the DiverseScholar NASW 2014 Diversity Travel Fellowship Awardees in Columbus, Ohio, this weekend and attend a mix of professional development workshops, briefings on the latest scientific research, extensive networking opportunities, as well as field trips.

We are proud to announce the Award Recipients and Honorable Mentions.

Fellowship Awardees

Crystal Garner @shesagarner

Ivan Gonzalez @GonzalezIvanF

Terri Hansen @TerriHansen

Jacqueline Howard @JacqEHoward

Kunmi Sobowale mdlitt.wordpress.com

Honorable Mentions

Miguel Acevedo

Erika Beras

Eunice Cofie

Leigh Cooper

Sherrell Dorsey

Kendra Pierre-Louis

Also, please visit the essays the recepients shared explaing why diversity matters in science communication.

A Tough Newsroom Discussion: Why Diversity Is Needed In Science Journalism by Jacqueline Howard

Hispanic Audiences and Diversity in Science Journalism (in English) and Audiencias Hispanas y la Diversidad en el Periodismo Científico (en Espanol) by Ivan F. Gonzalez

Engaging the Science-Poor by Kunmi Sobowale

Science, Health, and Environmental Reporting for Indian Country by Terri Hansen

DNLee is a biologist and she studies animal behavior, mammalogy, and ecology . She uses social media, informal experiential science experiences, and draws from hip hop culture to share science with general audiences, particularly under-served groups.

More by DNLee

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