Author Archives: Lauren Lipuma

March 17, 2015

Washington, D.C.—The D.C. Science Writers Association (DCSWA) named a winner and two honorable mentions in the sixth annual DCSWA Newsbrief Award.

For the 2014 award, four science writers judged more than 70 entries, including print, online, audio and multimedia pieces. A video from Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN) earned the top prize.

Most science writing awards go to complex, multipart stories, but those awards often fail to recognize one of the most challenging—and most common—tasks of the science writer: writing short. The DCSWA Newsbrief Award exists because short, accessible and accurate pieces make an enormous contribution to the public understanding of science.

The winners of the 2014 award are Matt Davenport and Elaine Seward for their video “Why Fruit Flies Could Make Your Beer Better” in C&EN, the news magazine of the American Chemical Society. “The winning video delivered what could have been a dry segment on yeast with flair and a fearless attitude with regard to puns,” said one judge.

Davenport, a reporter covering science, technology, and education, started at C&EN in June 2014 as an intern. After earning a Ph.D. in physics, he was “transformed into a writer” during the science communication program at University of California, Santa Cruz.

Seward has been a video producer at ACS for four years. She loves creating videos about the impact and importance of science. In her spare time, Seward enjoys trying new IPAs, presumably ones that have been impacted by fruit flies.

The judges also recognized two entries with honorable mentions. Beth Mole, the environment, chemistry and policy reporter for Science News, wrote “Kangaroo gut microbes make eco-friendly farts.” Mark Zastrow, a freelance science journalist, wrote, produced and narrated “The Pattern in Nature’s Networks” for NOVA PBS Online.

An award ceremony will take place on Saturday, March 28, during DCSWA’s annual Professional Development Day at the American Geophysical Union building in Washington, D.C. Davenport and Seward will be presented with a $500 prize and a crystal trophy. Mole and Zastrow will receive framed certificates.

DCSWA members were eligible to submit entries published between January 1 and December 31, 2014.

Past winners include Sam Kean (2009), for a ScienceNOW news story, Sarah Zielinski (2010), for a post on Smithsonian’s Surprising Science blog, Nadia Drake (2011), for a story in Science News, Lauren Wolf (2012), for a video for Chemical & Engineering News, and Meghan Rosen (2013), for a story in Science News.

More information about the award is available on the DCSWA website.

The D.C. Science Writers Association is an organization of more than 500 science reporters, editors, authors and public information officers based in the national capital area. For more information or to join, please visit www.dcswa.org. Details on how to enter the 2015 Newsbrief Award will appear on the DCSWA website by the end of the year.

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Professional Development Day, a full-day professional development event for science writers, has been DCSWA’s signature event since 2006. Every year, between 100 and 150 science reporters, PIOs, editors, radio and video producers and freelancers gather for a fun and exciting day of networking and skill-building! This year’s Professional Development Day was held on Saturday, April 7, 2018, and included panel sessions, plenary talks, lunch, all-day resume coaching, a mentoring session, pitch slam, and happy hour at a nearby bar.

Details

When: Saturday, April 7, 2018, 8:15 am – 5:15 pm
Where: AAAS Headquarters, 1200 New York Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005
Cost: $55 for DCSWA members; $80 for non-members, $40 for students

Program

Session descriptions

Resume Coaching
9:00 am – 5:00 pm, foyer
Sign up for a 15-minute slot with Amy Leighton, principal of “All Resume Writing Service,” at the main registration table. First come, first served; slots go fast. Don’t forget your resume!

Welcome and 2017 Newsbrief Awards Presentation
9:00 – 9:30 am, Auditorium
DCSWA President Lauren Lipuma will deliver a brief “State of the DCSWA” address and pass the duck to incoming president Matthew Wright. The winners of the 2017 Newsbrief awards will also be announced.

Morning plenary session: Exploring Hidden & Exotic Worlds: How astronomical data transports us
9:30 – 10:30 am, Auditorium
Speaker:
Kimberly Kowal Arcand, Visualization Lead for NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory, co-author of Magnitude: The Scale of the Universe. 
Moderator:
Lauren Lipuma, American Geophysical Union

Breakout session: Covering sexual harassment
10:45 am – 12:00 pm, Auditorium
From Harvey Weinstein to Donald Trump, media stories about sexual harassment have dominated the recent news cycle and changed the conversation about women’s equality and safety in the workplace. Science is no exception, but writers and publications covering harassment allegations must consider unique ethical, practical, and legal issues in their reporting. Our experienced panellists will discuss how to navigate this complex yet crucial new beat.
Panelists:
Elizabeth Culotta, Science
April Simpson, Current
Meredith Wadman, Science
Andrea Widener, Chemical & Engineering News
Moderator:
Sara Reardon, Nature

Breakout session: Launching collaborative projects in your newsroom
10:45 am – 12:00 pm, Abelson
Ever feel like you’re alone, even in a newsroom full of reporters? Ever feel like you can’t break out from the daily coverage hamster wheel?  In this session we’ll off some perspective on how to approach collaborations within, and between newsrooms. We’ll offer nuts-and-bolts tips on everything from story generation and ideas, up to how pitch more investigative projects/collaborations to your editors and bosses.
Panelists:
Eliza Barclay, Vox
Andrea Kissack, NPR science desk
Ben Wieder, McClatchy DC Bureau national investigative team
Moderator:
Adam Allington, Bloomberg BNA

Breakout session: Covering conflicts of interest in science
10:45 am – 12:00 pm, Revelle
Why is it important for scientists or government officials to be transparent about their financial ties? And how should writers handle their own potential conflicts when covering a story? In this session, panelists will discuss how to identify and search for conflicts of interests from their sources, and how to check themselves for potential bias.
Panelists:
Christine Dell’Amore, National Geographic
Steve Gibb, Bloomberg Environment
Genna Reed, Union of Concerned Scientists
Moderator:
Matt Davenport, Chemical & Engineering News

Afternoon plenary session: Guide, Pride, Hide: Evolving Roles for Federal PIOs
1:15 – 2:15 pm, Auditorium
Speaker:
Rick Borchelt, Director of Communications and Public Affairs for the Department of Energy’s Office of Science, former DCSWA president
Moderator:
Lauren Lipuma, American Geophysical Union

Breakout session: Visual storytelling for writers
2:30 – 3:45 pm, Auditorium
Too often, we writers treat visuals as an afterthought– the icing on the cake, rather than part of the cake itself. Learn from award-winning designers, photographers, and video editors how to approach storytelling as an integrated process, in which still images, film, and data are all crucial ingredients. With editors from Science, Nature, and National Geographic, we will discuss: how to write for video, how (and how not!) to source images, how to take better pictures using only your iPhone, and how to think like a graphic designer. Cake-eaters of all classes, welcome! 
Panelists:
Sarah Crespi, Science
Bill Douthitt, Science
Jehan Jellani, National Geographic
Jason Treat, National Geographic
Moderator:
Catherine Matacic, Science

Breakout session: Turning historical science stories into books
2:30 – 3:45 pm, Abelson
Science is full of stories waiting to be told: the unsung heroes, the births of new fields, the accidental discoveries that changed the course of history forever. Books like The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Hidden Figures and The Poisoner’s Handbook have even crossed over from science literature to achieve mainstream success. In this session, panelists will discuss their experiences writing historical science books and bringing these fascinating stories to life, offering pearls of wisdom for writers with a book idea and advice on pitfalls to avoid.
Panelists:
Jason Bardi, Inside Science, author of The Calculus Wars and The Fifth Postulate
Kevin Begos, author of Tasting the Past
Mitch Waldrop, Freelance, author of Complexity and The Dream Machine
Moderator:
Sushma Subramanian, University of Mary Washington

Breakout session: Mentoring for science writers
2:30 – 3:45 pm, Revelle
Let’s face it: We all need help sometimes. Whether you’re trying to break into the world of science writing and don’t know where to start, a freelancer looking for advice on pitching stories or just wondering how best to advance your science writing career, this year’s brand-new mentoring session is for you! In this session, several established science writers will be available to answer your general career-related questions. Simply show up and have a face-to-face chat with one of our mentors. Please limit your time with each mentor to 10 minutes to allow everyone a chance to ask questions.
Mentors:
Yudhijit Bhattacharjee, Freelance
Rick Borchelt, Department of Energy
Brian Clark Howard, National Geographic
Jane Lee, Nature
Sarah Zielinski, Science News for Students
Moderator:
Gretchen Miller, Johns Hopkins University

Breakout session: Incorporating narrative into science writing
4:00 – 5:15 pm, Auditorium
Good science writing has to do more than just deliver the facts. It should also be a narrative — a story that picks the readers up, guides them along, and leaves them feeling satisfied at the end. Come hear our panelists discuss how to achieve that.
Panelists:
Olivia Ambrogio, American Geophysical Union
Yudhijit Bhattacharjee, Freelance
Moderator:
Mitch Waldrop, Freelance

Breakout session: Writing killer ledes
4:00 – 5:15 pm, Abelson
Aside from the headline, the lede is arguably the most important part of any story. Whether it’s for a science news story or a press release, a lede has to convey a lot of information in a short amount of space while keeping a reader engaged enough to want to know more. So how do you write a lede that is compelling, succinct, interesting and accurate? What makes one lede better than another? In this session, panelists will describe their philosophies for writing killer ledes and share examples of some of the most awe-inspiring and cringe-worthy opening lines they’ve encountered in their careers.
Panelists:
Nanci Bompey, American Geophysical Union
Seth Borenstein, Associated Press
Sarah Kaplan, The Washington Post
Moderator:
Matt Wright, University of Maryland College Park

Breakout session: Pitch slam
4:00 – 5:15 pm, Revelle
In the ever-popular pitch slam, freelancers will meet one-on-one with editors of their choice for five minutes to pitch story ideas. Editors will provide guidance on improving the pitch or the story itself, while suggesting possible publications if the story is not suitable for their own. You may pitch to as many editors as you wish, one at a time, and one story idea at a time. Sign up for time slots at registration. Please limit yourself to three sign-ups before noon.
Editors:
Jason Bardi, Inside Science
Rachel Gross, Smithsonian
Brian Clark Howard, National Geographic
Karen Kaplan, Nature
Jane Lee, Nature
Catherine Matacic, Science
Lisa Moore, National Wildlife
Eugene Russo, PNAS Front Matter
Pooh (Margaret) Shapiro, The Washington Post
Cori Vanchieri, Science News
Peter Weiss, Eos
Lauren Wolf, Chemical & Engineering News
Sarah Zielinski, Science News for Students
Moderator:
Josh Rapp Learn, Freelance

Support a science writer

If you’re interested in making a donation to the Professional Development Day scholarship fund to help a student, early-career or other science writer with financial need take advantage of one of science writing’s top professional development opportunities, you can donate on this page or email president@dcswa.org for more information.

Thanks to the generosity of DCSWA members, DCSWA was able to provide scholarships to a team of early-career writers to document Professional Development Day 2017. Read on for writeups of the panels, HOWs, and plenary session.

How to use FOIA laws and public databases to find stories
This panel discussion covered a wide range of questions including why science journalists should regularly file FOIA requests, which agencies can (and cannot) be ‘FOIAed’, tips on how to file a FOIA request, what kind of information can be requested under FOIA, how to decipher the disclosed information, exemptions which allow federal and state agencies to decline FOIA requests and alternatives to FOIA. Read more…

Media Law 101
Remarkably, scientists are one of the three professions most likely to sue journalists for libel. Where available, writers should make use of legal resources and protections provided by employers. Those writers without access to such resources should strongly consider personal media liability insurance, for protection against potential legal costs. Read more…

New Approaches to Video in Social Media
Online videos are an integral part of learning, entertainment, and wasting time. In this HOW, Matthew Wright asked the audience for feedback on how they would edit his video of Project Sidewalk from five minutes to one. In a world of video production, feedback from colleagues can be crucial to making sharp, catchy content, Wright said. Read more…

Self-Editing for Writers
“Editing is a muscle. You need to exercise it, and it will get better.” That was the core message of the HOW on self-editing. The quote, by Lauren Morello of Nature, underscored how writers of all skill levels can apply a few tricks to submit polished pieces every editor will love. Read more…

The delicate art of headline writing
A good headline can make or break your story: it’s the first thing your readers will see and, in a news landscape increasingly driven by social media, often the last. In this HOW, four experienced editors discussed the tradeoffs that must be faced when writing a headline and shared some tips and reminders to keep your headlines from going astray. Read more…

The impressionables: Science communication to engage children and teens
Only about one third of adults understand what science is and how the scientific method works, according to Kristin Erickson of NASA. Studies show that most young school-age children are interested in science, but that for many of them, that interest declines as they get older. So how can we as science communicators help arrest this decline? How can we prevent today’s intrigued children from becoming tomorrow’s ignorant and turned-off adults? Read more…

This is your brand on social media
Audience engagement through social media has become a critical way for publications to reach and maintain their audience. But despite its importance, social media can be confusing and is often underutilized. In this session, panelists shared their expertise on how to expand your reach on social media as well as a few tips on executing these strategies. Read more…

Writer’s aid: Getting more assignments from editors
The first stage in any successful writer-editor relationship is to make a great pitch, panelists said in this session. Familiarity with the publication you’re pitching to is an important first step. Editors appreciate pitches that specify which section of the publication they are intended for. They also stressed the importance of originality and a clear news peg. Read more…

By Lindsay McKenzie

“Being an editor is a hard job, but being a writer is harder, especially a freelance writer,” said Josh Fischman, senior editor at Scientific American and moderator of the afternoon session “Writer’s aid: Getting more assignments from editors.”

Joining Fischman on the panel were Ann Finkbeiner, a freelance writer; John Travis, managing news editor at Science; and Cori Vanchieri, features editor at Science News. Together they discussed what freelancers should and shouldn’t do when working with a new editor – from the conception of that first story idea, through the editing process, and beyond.

Pitching perfect

The first stage in any successful writer-editor relationship is to make a great pitch, the panelists said. Familiarity with the publication you’re pitching to is an important first step. Travis said he appreciates pitches that specify which section of the publication they are intended for. He also stressed the importance of originality and a clear news peg. Stories based on press releases can easily be covered by staff writers, he said.

Travis also said he values honesty. Do you think the science you’re reporting might have flaws? Say so. Have you seen coverage in the publication previously or elsewhere? Talk about it, and explain how your piece will be different. Disclose any potential conflicts of interest upfront, and be clear about what you’re agreeing to from the start – some publications might expect detailed fact-checking or image ideas.

Knowing how much time to spend working on a pitch is difficult, Finkbeiner said. She aims never to put a word on a page without money, she says, but it isn’t always possible. She urges writers to make their pitches as complete and concise as possible. “Think like an editor,” she said. “They’re busy, and they have a budget.”

Writing a draft

While writing your draft, communication with your editor is key, Vanchieri said. If you think you’re going to run into deadline issues, or the story has changed significantly from what you proposed, you need to let your editor know as early as possible. Editors don’t like surprises, the panelists agreed.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by a story, Finkbeiner suggests waiting a day before calling your editor in a panic. Fischman said even the best writers can sometimes feel lost and he’s previously spent hours on the phone helping writers make sense of their material. Travis said there are times when stories just don’t work out, and that he respects when writers tell him this. He says publications can offer a ‘kill fee’ for such cases.

The editing process

Vanchieri said several rounds of edits are normal for any feature article, even for veteran writers. She urges writers to approach edits with “grace and humor” and to remember that it is collaborative process. While cooperation with edit suggestions is appreciated, Travis and Fischman warn writers not to be afraid to push back when necessary so their voice is not lost.

Finkbeiner says that she has experienced some edit suggestions that “made perfect sense” and some that she described as “stupid,” “wrongheaded,” and even “insulting.” She noted the importance of remaining calm throughout this phase to maintain the relationship for the future. “I remember that this person is a professional, and that I am a professional,” she said.

“None of us wants to be a jerk,” Fischman said. Though editors might sometimes get things wrong, he urges writers to remember how dependent editors are on them. “We’re kind of desperate people,” he said. “We need writers, and we need good stories.”

By Alex Brubaker

Science at its core is our natural curiosity about the world around us. One could say it’s our birthright.  However, the current state of knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, science in the United States is troubling. Only about one third of adults understand what science is and how the scientific method works, said Kristin Erickson of NASA. Studies show that most young school-age children are interested in science, but that for many of them, that interest declines as they get older. So how can we as science communicators help arrest this decline? How can we prevent today’s intrigued children from becoming tomorrow’s ignorant and turned-off adults?

Each member of the panel of all-star science communicators convened to discuss the issue for “The impressionables: Science communication to engage children and teens” at Professional Development Day 2017 had a distinct perspective on how to reach youth, but all could agree on key points. Connect, inspire, fascinate, visualize, make them active learners, and whatever else, don’t dumb it down.

Hakeem Oluseyi of NASA emphasized “it’s all about connection” and that relating to youth at their level is important for science communication to take hold. It’s important to talk to the kids if that’s your target audience, not to your colleagues. Erickson observed that sometimes scientists can “go gray” in front of the cameras, inadvertently coming across as lifeless and boring. On the other hand, when a scientist shares their “aha” moment in a way the audience can relate to, “there’s nothing like it!”

As far as the nuts and bolts of how to present science to kids, the use of visuals, videos, or games can go a long way. Games can incorporate “stealthy teaching,” Oluyesi said, citing the hours of fun his son has playing ExoTreks while learning tons in the process. Making kids active learners is an improvement over an outdated approach to learning that overemphasized rote memorization and passive ingestion of knowledge.

As exciting as multimedia may be, there will likely always be a place for the (well)-written word. How best to write for a young audience? “We take real news from Science News and explain it really, really well,” said Sarah Zielinski of Science News for Students. Often, the story will get longer. Science News for Students can’t leave logical holes or expect a 12-year old to make the same logical leap you’d expect an adult to, Zielinski said. Ariane Szu-Tu of National Geographic Kids Publishing agreed. “You can’t assume that kids have the same knowledge base,” she said.

Zany fun facts that kids can read at home and then share with peers at recess are a big hit, with 6 million copies sold in the Nat Geo Kids “Weird but True” series, Szu-Tu said. Panelists concurred that there’s no need to dumb things down if you’re doing a great job explaining the big picture, that it’s counterproductive when authors dumb things down so much they become inaccurate, and that writing for kids makes one a better writer overall.

Oluyesi desribed how he was approached by a student who went back to school after being homeless for a time, working 2 jobs to cover tuition.  She said she knows she can do it because he believed in her, and she’s not giving up.

“A lot of people live in a state of hopelessness, you don’t need to stay in hopelessness . . . when someone starts paying attention and saying you’re smart and you can do it, that can make all the difference,” Oluyesi said.