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.
DCSWA Holiday Party: December 5, 2025
The D.C. Science Writers Association’s Annual Holiday Party is a celebration that connects science writers in the area for a night of good food, games, a book giveaway, and new to this year, an open mic session. Join us to celebrate the end of the year with old and new peers!
Details:
Friday, December 5, 2025
7-10 PM
Busboys and Poets – 14th St.
Address: 2021 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
Book talk: Paws-itive results: How dogs help science
Come, sit, stay. Join a virtual event to explore the science of our favorite symbiotes, dogs!
Lindsay Cordero, author of “The Great Truffle Snuffle,” and Melanie Kaplan, author of “Lab Dog: A Beagle and His Human Investigate the Surprising World of Animal Research,” will talk about the intersection between dogs and science, with a special focus on one doggo profession: truffle hunting.
This event will take place online, is free to join, and is open to all members and friends of the D.C. Science Writers Association (DCSWA).
Register now and save the date!
November Social Hour at Ris
Join us for a joint happy hour with local scientists and federal workers on Wednesday, November 12, at Ris from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Network with fellow science writers, local scientists, and federal workers. Enjoy reduced price cocktails and bar bites. DCSWA will provide some snacks. Closest metro station is Foggy Bottom on the orange-blue-silver lines.
Address: Ris, 2275 L St NW, Washington, DC 20037
Time: 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Joint Happy Hour with JHU Science Writing Program
Join us for a joint happy hour with Johns Hopkins University’s Science Writing Program on Thursday, September 25 at Crooked Run Fermentation from 6:00-8:00 PM. Meet new science writers and enjoy the venue’s menu, which includes ciders, seltzers, natural wines, NY style pizza and wings. Closest metro station is NoMa-Gallaudet U New York Ave in the red line.
Address: 550 Morse St NE Suite #120, Washington, DC 20002
Time: 6:00-8:00 PM
CANCELED – Crafting Party at Because Science
Our next in-person social will be a crafting party at Because Science! You may remember the venue from our space painting event in 2023 — this time we’ll be creating collages from electronic waste! We’ll spend about an hour collaging and then head to a nearby restaurant for lunch.
Space is limited to 15 participants and tickets are $15. If you’re interested. make sure to sign up and pay in advance!
When: OCTOBER 18, 1-3pm
Where: Because Science, 1759 Columbia Rd NW Washington DC 20009
Create Your Unicorn Career in SciComm – Even in a Crisis
Even in a challenging economy, you can find unique career possibilities and land jobs! Join us for a fireside chat and Ask Me Anything with Alaina G. Levine, professional speaker, science writer, career coach to science writers, and author of Networking for Nerds and Create Your Unicorn Career (forthcoming). Ask her anything about uncovering hidden jobs in the current climate and creating Your Unicorn Career, the customized and authentic career that brings you joy, meaning, and money at a session hosted by the D.C. Science Writers Association.
Register: //us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tLQDcOdnRAe372LljSgZaQ#/registration
A Guide to Pursuing Science Communication Higher Education in the DMV
For many, science communications is a career path that they stumbled upon at some point of their career, while for others, this may have been a decision that they made earlier in their life.
Regardless of your level of education, there are multiple avenues to pursue a degree in science communication. In this blog, we have compiled a full list of programs in the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia (DMV) area and some more. We hope this guide is helpful in your search process!
Bachelor of Arts in Technical and Scientific Communication at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech): this program prepares students to write while being focused on target audiences in a thoughtful and professional approach. They will explore the complex relationships between writing, rhetorics, technology, and culture through a humanistic lens. The program also teaches them to translate complex information into plain language so that it is accessible to a public audience.
Master of Science in Science Communication at Stony Brook University: this 33-credit, online master’s program teaches students to engage in and advocate for valid, reliable public discourse about science. The program is offered in collaboration with the Alda Center for Communicating Science, a national leader in science communication training and research.
Master of Arts in Science Writing at Johns Hopkins University: this 9-course, online master’s program teaches the reporting and writing skills required to succeed in the diverse ecosystem of science and medical writing. In core classes, students hone reporting techniques such as interviewing scientists and identifying credible sources. Electives such as Subatomic Writing, Principles of Editing, and Literature of Science help students polish their prose and emulate masters of the craft.
Science Communication Graduate Certificate at George Mason University: this 15-credit program is designed for graduate students and professionals with or without a communication background, explores how science communication research informs best practices within diverse, applied settings (and vice-versa). Spanning the intersection of research and practice, graduates strengthen science communication efforts geared toward various audiences and support effective science-related decision making within academic, government, and non-profit sectors, among others.
Science Communication Graduate Certificate at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB): this 12-credit, 9-month, online program provides a robust foundation in science communication, covering various strategies, current research, and examples across multiple platforms and modalities, including social media, journalism, and academic publications. The Science Communication Certificate at UMB program also provides tools to share scientific knowledge in ways that foster dialogue, build trust, and drive informed decision-making across disciplines, sectors, and communities.
Science Communication Specialized Certificate at the University of California, San Diego Extended Studies: this 15-credit, online certificate is designed to provide students with the necessary skills to communicate professionally and effectively about science from a journalistic perspective. Students will focus on understanding how to help an audience of general readers engage with and understand scientific and technical information. Courses are taught by successful science writers and other industry experts who have learned from their years of experience and science writing education.
Lastly, if you’re looking for more programs outside the DMV area, check out this guide by the Open Notebook.
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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.