Author: Aglaia Freccero
The information revolution:
As we are continuously bombarded by all sorts of information, the problem of this revolution is not the quantity of media content we receive, but how to filter it. Over two-thirds of Europeans have to face the negative potential of fake news at least once a week. In the meantime, with the increasing popularity of science fiction, 66.8% of readers agree that science fiction helps them to better engage in science. Popular science books and TV programmes have spread in recent years. Because of this, the role of science writers in communicating science to the general audience is becoming increasingly important. With scientific knowledge expanding at an astronomical pace, people who are able to understand and translate science are highly requested.
What is science journalism and how is it different from science writing?
Science writers popularise scientific knowledge for organisations and businesses. On the other hand, journalists write stories about science and address the narrative critically. As Micheal Kenward, an ex-editor at New Scientists, says, “Science writing is about explaining complex ideas that nobody wants to keep secret; science journalism is about explaining things that everyone can understand but that some might prefer to keep buried.” Although the difference in audience is not irrelevant, as science writers tend to inform while journalists aim to entertain and provoke, the two roles overlap significantly.
How to become a science journalist:
You can either become a science writer by training as a journalist and specialize later or you can immediately decide to embark on the path of science journalism. The choice is mainly dependent on your interests. If you are more interested in the world of mainstream media then you should consider a path that might open to you different options, such as writing for a national newspaper or in broadcasting. This could be done, for example, through a journalistic education following a science degree. If you are more interested in science, you could consider a position in a specialist publication and a more focused postgraduate course in science journalism.
Do I need formal training?
The most valued qualification in journalism is experience and it is not without surprise that many journalists find journalism school a complete waste of time! There are therefore many postgraduate courses offering both a general and specialist journalistic approach. Some science communication courses, specifically, offer the students the opportunity to explore all areas of the media before deciding what route to take.
What can I do now?
There are rarely alternatives as valuable as postgraduate courses in science communication. We have already highlighted the importance of experience. As a student, this could be achieved through work experience, involvement in student journalism or in freelance work. Work experience is the most important way of getting into journalism. Schemes such as the ones run by The Economist and Nature are generally focused on editorial work. Student journalism is a fast and easy way to get experience. Editors and writers from acclaimed student journals are usually immediately recruited into national newspapers. Getting out there is really important in journalism so you might consider doing some freelance work. Another option is opening your own website and sharing your pieces of writing with a larger audience.
Whether you are considering a change in career or you are considering what steps to take after graduation, science journalism requires passion and dedication and cannot be an easy way out of the lab.
References
[1] Manadue, C. B. and Jacups, S. (2018). Who Reads Science fiction and Fantasy, and How Do They Feel About Science? Preliminary Findings From an Online Survey. Sage Journals.
[2] Loder, N. So you want to be a science writer? Association of British Science Writers