Association of British Science Writers

#UKCSJ24 📃 Insights for early-career writers offered across UKCSJ24 from pitching, targeting and writing to using AI and social media. Gracie Enticknap We invited #ABSW Student #members and Early Career Science Writer Network members to write about the sessions and what they have learned at the conference. Here are some highlights written by Grey Enticknap. 🤔 Who do you want to write for? 👷 Execute a style suited to your audience 👵 Who has not been served a particular story yet? 🔬 Add sources to aid you in telling the story 🎭 Use storytelling mechanisms 🤖 #AI is a useful resource, but keep ‘human-in-the-loop’ 👀 The key factors editors and readers alike are looking for are: Storytelling ability; Authenticity and originality; Analysis; Strong identity; and Interaction. 🔗 https://zurl.co/IUiE

You know what is coming, right? 😉 Yes. Of course, we know that Christmas is coming 🎄 and the New Year's Eve party 🎊 But you should also know that soon you'll be able to enter the #ABSWawards🏆 Stay tuned! And Happy Holidays! https://zurl.co/j2Nvt

🎯 This Christmas🎄Support a science writer 🎁 #ABSWmembers Often those who can least afford to pay, are those who might benefit most from the #networking and other benefits that ABSW #membership provides. If you have a well-established career and secure finances and wish to make a one-off payment to cover the membership fee of someone who is suffering financial hardship, please follow the link 👉 https://zurl.co/XMsTn You can also join our #MentoringScheme and guide early career science journalists or writers (typically the first 5 years). Apply here 👉 https://zurl.co/x01K1 Want to know more about the scheme? 🔗 https://zurl.co/8GCaS

🏆 We are thrilled to announce that the winning essay of the 2024 Young Science Writer Award, by Jasmin Notarangelo of Musselburgh Grammar School in East Lothian, has just been published by BBC Science News 🎉 Jasmin impressed our panel of judges with her exceptional writing and her ability to make a complex topic accessible and engaging. It’s inspiring to see such talent in young science communicators. 📖 Read Jasmin’s essay here: https://lnkd.in/eSupKPSB This award would not have been possible without the generous support of the O’Brien family and our strategic partnerships with the The Royal Institution and the BBC. As we celebrate Jasmin’s success, we’re also gearing up for the launch of the 2025 Young Science Writer Award in the coming weeks. Watch this space! 🚀 #ScienceCommunication #STEMEducation #YoungWriters #Diabetes

#MonthlyShowcase Sophie Berdugo's article 'Before the Stone Age: Were the first tools made from plants not rocks?' has been selected as November 2024's showcase. The article was published in New Scientist on November 5. Sophie is a freelance science writer with a particular interest in the life sciences. She recently completed her PhD in evolutionary anthropology. Our judges said: "A fascinating feature telling us what humans did before they used stone implements". Send us the best piece you have published in December 👉 https://zurl.co/d7dJb

#UKCSJ24 In what ways does science broadcast output differ in the UK compared with Germany? And how can science journalists best approach pitching for broadcast work in each of these nations? These were the main questions Sharon Ann Holgate explored while chairing 'Pitching Science Broadcast Media: UK vs Germany', which are now reflected in a news article. https://zurl.co/Z0Eu Sam Baker, whose clients include DW (Deutsche Welle) and the BBC World Service, finds that German editors generally tend to prefer “issues focussed” ideas, whereas UK editors are more interested in “storytelling and how it’s going to be framed”. Carolin Riethmüller, who presents content for national German TV stations including ZDF and ARTE, and Deutschlandfunk radio, explained that it is really important to check the profile of the editors you are talking to in order to find the right partner for your idea, whether they are at a broadcaster or at a production company. Independent TV consultant Sean Wheatley explained that the greater number of regional public broadcast channels and small private sector channels in Germany compared with the UK results in “a lot more low-to-mid-budget science programming in Germany …telling national or local stories”. This, he added, contrasts with the UK focus on big-budget science programmes designed for export and bringing in overseas co-funding. Amelia Vale, founder of independent media company Factual Eyes who specialise in medical science stories, revealed that for a documentary about new gene therapy treatments, which she had failed to get commissioned in the UK, she submitted a one-page proposal anonymously to a pitching session at the World Congress of Science & Factual Producers. This resulted in ZDF commissioning the documentary for broadcast in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

#MediaFellows Are you a scientist, clinician, or engineer and would like to spend a few weeks in a newsroom working like a journalist? Ask your institution to fund your fellowship. If you aren't sure if it worth it, ask Declan. 👇 😉

The network’s ‘A Day in the Life of’ articles are available on the Association of British Science Writers’ website. Discover the inspiring journey of Malika Brian, a freelance science writer based in Nairobi, Kenya. Brian’s story is one of resilience and passion. In our third instalment in this series, he tells HennyGe Wichers, PhD how he turned challenges into opportunities and now amplifies marginalised voices and communities through his work. Find the full story here: https://lnkd.in/evqDx3RD And follow the collection as it expands on the ABSW’s Early Career Science Writer Network page: https://lnkd.in/eFWwxcgW A Day in the Life of Brian Malika was edited by Melyka (Benn) Bennett. With thanks to Dr Andy Ridgway, Vera Novais, and the ABSW for supporting the ADITLO scheme. #ScienceWriting #Journalism #CareerInsights #EarlyCareerWriters #ADITLO #ECSWN

#RegionalGroups #Networking Have you joined any regional or online meetings promoted by #ABSWmembers? Find them here 👉 https://zurl.co/KKQ6 📆 Find December calendar 👇 * Tuesday, December 3, 17:30-18:30 – SciCommUnity GM, Manchester Science Park * Tuesday, December 3, 19:30 [TBC] – Oxfordshire Regional Group, Oxford * Thursday, December 5, 18:30 (onwards) – Cambridge Sci Comm Group * Thursday, December 5 (and 12, 19, 26), 14:00 – SciComm Coworking group at the Discord server every Thursday * Saturday, December 7 (and 14, 21, 28), 10:00 am – Chalk Scribblers writers' critique group, online every Saturday * Tuesday, December 17, 18:30-20:30 – Science Writers Book Club in London * Monday, December 30, 13h30-14h30 [TBC] – ABSW Coffee Break at Discord Coffee Shop. Free and no need to book it.

Immensely proud of Jacklin, one of my best former students who was already a good investigative journalist—now an award winning one! And for a BMJ feature too 🙌