With around 400 members, DCSWA is the largest independent regional science writing association in the country. Founded in 1987, its members include writers and editors from nearly all the major news outlets in the Washington, D.C. area, public information officers from agencies and institutions, and freelancers.
A truly regional organization, DCSWA members hail from as far south as North Carolina and as far north as Baltimore. Whether they are journalists or other kinds of science communicators, all are interested in providing good information on science to the media and the public. DCSWA maintains good relations with but is not a chapter of the National Association of Science Writers.
Much of DCSWA’s activity focuses around events that bring science writers and communicators together for socializing, networking and professional development. Our biggest event is our annual Professional Development Day, typically held in early April or late March. This is a full-day event with workshops designed for science journalists, writers, PIOs, and audio and video producers.
We also organize events throughout the year. These include:
- Virtual panels on a huge range of topics, from how to streamline your writing to creating a Netflix science series.
- Science-related field trips to places like the Smithsonian Zoo, Baltimore Aquarium, and the National Observatory.
- Happy hours at local bars, sometimes in conjunction with other local scientific or journalistic organizations.
- An annual holiday party.
We host an annual newsbrief award to recognize excellence in short-form science reporting, which is rarely eligible for major science writing awards.
We also maintain a job board with notices about D.C.-area work for science writers and a freelancer list that we hope will connect DCSWA members with editors and other people looking for professional science communicators, writers, and multimedia or social media experts.
Over the years we’ve become a corporation in Maryland and an entity recognized by the Internal Revenue Service. We have a board of directors. We have bona fide bylaws and official tax status: We’re a 501(c)6 organization, which means we’re tax exempt, but not a charity. Ask your tax preparer whether you can deduct DCSWA dues as a business expense. Or better yet, ask your employer – if you have one — to invest in your professional development by paying the $25 annual dues.
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
If you want to join DCSWA, we welcome you, and look forward to getting to know you!
Read more about the history of DCSWA!