Professional Development Day

Professional Development Day, a full-day professional development event for science writers, has been DCSWA’s signature event since 2006. Every spring, more than 100 science reporters, PIOs, editors, video and radio producers and freelancers come together to improve their craft.

The crowd at PDD 2017. Photo by Rich Press.

Professional Development Day features plenary talks by noted science journalists and multimedia producers; panel discussions on relevant issues in science communication; and hands-on workshops where DCSWA members can learn new techniques and improve their existing science writing skills. Every year at Professional Development Day, DCSWA announces the winners for the Newsbrief Award for Short Science Journalism. DCSWA also offers scholarships to to early-career or other science writers wishing to attend Professional Development Day for whom paying the registration fee would be a hardship. Read on to find out more!


Past Professional Development Day agendas and highlights

Virtual Professional Development Month 2020

Professional Development Day 2018

Saturday, April 7, 2018, AAAS headquarters

Professional Development Day 2017

Saturday, April 8, 2017, AAAS headquarters


Professional Development Day 2016

Saturday, April 2, 2016, AAAS headquarters


Professional Development Day 2015

Saturday, March 28, 2015, American Geophysical Union headquarters


Professional Development Day 2014

Saturday, April 12, 2014, American Geophysical Union headquarters


Professional Development Day 2013


Professional Development Day 2012

Saturday, April 21, 2012, AAAS headquarters


Professional Development Day 2009

Saturday, April 18, 2009, AAAS headquarters