We're a group of science journalists and communicators. Membership benefits include access to the job board, networking opportunities, social events, the Quacker (our newsletter) and professional development workshops.

Should you launch an institutional podcast?

The rise of non-traditional media has left many institutional communicators wondering how many platforms are worth investing their efforts. If you’ve read this far, you’ve probably already heard someone in your team ask if you should start a new podcast, if you haven’t wondered that yourself. If this sounds familiar, this panel is for you. On Thursday, September 10 at 7 p.m., join our two podcast veterans who will discuss what it’s like to create and manage a podcast that adds institutional value, setting realistic expectations about what you should know before getting started. They will discuss when it makes sense to produce a podcast, whether this medium is for your audience, and their biggest lessons as first-time podcast creators.

Panelists:

  • Sam Jones, Executive Producer of Tiny Matters and Chain Reaction by ACS
  • Jacob Pinter, Host and Senior Producer of NASA’s Curious Universe
  • Daniela Benites, DCSWA Vice President, Moderator

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_iQSU2x24QZal6MlSt0vJmQ#/registration

AAAS Mass Media Fellows Farewell

Join DCSWA in saying farewell to this summer’s crop of AAAS Mass Media Fellows! We will be meeting up for a happy hour at Lost & Found Bar from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, August 17. The bar does not have a kitchen but you are free to bring in food from one of the many restaurants in the area. Lost & Found also hosts trivia on Mondays at 8 p.m. if you feel like keeping the party going afterwards! No registration required.

Address: Lost & Found Bar, 1240 9th St. NW Washington, DC 20001

Metro: Accessible via the green line (Mt. Vernon Sq. 7th / Convention Center), or Metro Center (red/blue/orange/silver lines).

New Members Welcome Event

Come join us for free pizza and meet some of our new DCSWA members! We’ll be hosting our new members’ social in the back patio of Sonny’s Pizza. Sonny’s Pizza is a long-time favorite of DCSWA and has a happy hour that goes until 7 p.m. The closest metro stops are the Columbia Heights or Georgia Avenue-Petworth stations on the green/yellow lines, and the restaurant is a short walk from there. DCSWA will provide the pizzas, but guests are responsible for any other food/drinks. No registration required. Hope to see everyone there!

Address: Sonny’s Pizza, 3120 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010
Date: Thursday, July 9, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Stories on ‘bone-collector’ caterpillar, watch-battery warnings win DCSWA Newsbrief Awards

The competition, which is in its 17th year, recognizes excellence in short-form science communication. Winners were announced at the D.C. Science Writers Association’s annual Professional Development Day.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A charming story about a bone-collecting caterpillar and an informative video about why you shouldn’t swallow watch batteries took top prizes at the 17th annual D.C. Science Writers Association’s 2025 Newsbrief Awards competition.

Longform journalism often gets the field’s accolades, but short pieces are the true workhorses of science communication. In the spirit of recognizing these unsung works of excellence, DCSWA has been offering the Newsbrief Awards since 2009.

The awards were announced at this year’s Professional Development Day on May 9 at George Washington University. Read the full release

Registration Open for Professional Development Day on May 9

DCSWA’s signature lineup of professional development sessions is just around the corner. This year’s Professional Development Day will begin early Saturday, May 9, 2026, at George Washington University’s Student Center on the 3rd floor. Every spring, more than 100 science reporters, PIOs, editors, producers, and freelancers come together to improve their craft. 

Coffee, breakfast pastries and lunch will be provided, and we’ll end the day with a happy hour at The Admiral.

We are excited for our slate of programming (more details at the registration site): 

Register here: dcswa.wildapricot.org/event-6642704

TimeGrand Ballroom (3rd Floor)Room 309
8:30 – 9:00 amRegistration check-in: Grab some coffee and breakfast pastries before we get started.
9:00 – 9:30 amOpening remarks and Newsbrief Award presentation.
9:30 – 10:30 amKeynote presentation: David Michaels,  M.P.H., Ph.D, author of “The Triumph of Doubt: Dark Money and the Science of Deception.” 
10:45 – 11:45 amGo Viral or Vanish: Short-Form Video for Science Journalists & Communicators.The Resilient Science Writer: Strategies for Career Longevity and Change
11:45 – 1:00 pmLunch, with the option to chat with a GWU researcher.
1:15 – 2:15 pmWriter-Editor Meet and Greet.Visuals in Science Stories: Best Practices.
2:30 – 3:30 pmScience Writing and Communications in 2026: Fostering Trust and Telling Stories That Matter.
3:30 – 4:00 pmMeet for closing remarks and a book raffle.
4:00 – 6:00 pmHappy hour: The Admiral
1 Dupont Cir NW #420
Washington, DC 20036.

Joint Networking Event with AIP

Join us for a joint networking event with the American Institute of Physics (AIP) and the D.C. Science Writers Association on April 16 from 6-8 p.m. Along with DCSWA members, invitation is open to anyone across the AIP federation of societies who’s involved in science communications of any kind to join us for an informal evening of connection and conversation. Drinks and refreshments will be provided.

Location: AIP at American Center for Physics – DC
555 12th Street NW
Suite 250
Washington, DC 20004

Registration is required: aip.org/networking-science-writers

Professional Development Day is May 9

Save the date! DCSWA’s signature lineup of professional development events is just around the corner. This year’s Professional Development Day will begin early Saturday, May 9, 2026, at George Washington University. Every spring, more than 100 science reporters, PIOs, editors, producers, and freelancers come together to improve their craft. Mark your calendar, and keep an eye out for more details and registration information!

With your suggestions, we’ve been pulling together an amazing agenda, fantastic speakers, and a social to close out the day. We look forward to seeing you there!

Enter now for the 2025 Newsbrief Awards!

Since 2009, we’ve been celebrating achievement in short-form science writing with the DCSWA Newsbrief Award. Members of DCSWA can enter their own work, or others can nominate it. This year entries in two categories — print/digital and broadcast/audiovisual — will be judged by a panel of science writers and media professionals. Entry deadline is Friday, March 13. Learn more here. 

Happy Hour with JHU at Astro Beer Hall

Join us for a happy hour with the Johns Hopkins Science Writing Program on Wednesday, February 11 at Astro Beer Hall in DC from 6-8 PM.

Address: 1306 G St NW, Washington, DC 20005.

WMATA Metro: Red line (Metro Center station) or Green line (Gallery Place/Chinatown station). No registration is required for this event.

Book Talk: Seeing Differently – A New Way to Look at Science

Science progresses as we find new views on what we already know. Two DCSWA authors recently published books that explore the wonders that happen when you take a new perspective on an old subject.

Amy Hansen, author of Wanda Hears the Stars: A Blind Astronomer Listens to the Universe, shows children through an illustrated book how a blind astrophysicist uses  sound to explore the universe. James Riordon, author of Crush: Close Encounters with Gravity, shows how to see gravity in your daily life – including picturing a black hole in your kitchen sink.

We’ll talk to them about their books, how they came upon these insightful viewpoints (and how they sold them to a publisher!), and what’s next for each author. Join us for a virtual session on February 3 to chat with the authors.

Amy S. Hansen is a science writer who specializes in kids’ publications. Besides the award-winning Wanda Hears the Stars, she has more than 35 books out, including the ever popular Curious About Sloths (Amicus, 2022), Touch the Earth (NASA, 2010), and the perennial favorite, Bugs and Bugsicles: Insects in the Winter (Boyds Mills Press, 2010). Amy has also worked as a journalist for NSF and AAAS, and on many newspapers.

James Riordon is a journalist who covers physics, math, astronomy, chemistry, and Earth science. His articles have appeared in Science News Magazine, Quanta Magazine, Scientific American, New Scientist, and the Washington Post, among other publications. He is currently a senior science writer with NASA’s Earth Science News team. In addition to authoring Crush: Close Encounters with Gravity, James is coauthor of Ghost Particle: In Search of the Elusive and Mysterious Neutrino.

Register here.

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The D.C. Science Writers Association is a group of journalists, writers, public information officers (PIOs), and audio and video producers who cover breaking research, science and technology. Our events bring together science writers for socializing, networking, science-based tours and events, and professional development workshops. The D.C. Science Writers Association is dedicated to providing a safe and welcoming experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, national origin, or religion. DCSWA does not tolerate harassment of members in any form.