Science Communications and Journalism

Introductory Resources

• What is Science Communication, and the value of a PhD in that field, R. Irion, MolBiolCell, 2017 (career areas, key assets PhDs bring to SciComm roles, sectors and employer types).
• Career story: from a PhD in biomedical sciences to Science Journalism, Biomed Central blog article.
• Careers in Science Communication (mostly science writers), 1-hour panel discussion.
• Careers in Science Communication (scientific editor, author, grant writing consultant/communications strategist), 1-hour Scismic panel discussion.
• Careers in Science Communication (focused on communicating science to support public engagement), SCWIST panel discussion.
• Online Journalists – general info, job description, skills…, BU Vault.

Diving deeper into this career area

• SciComm 101 – A guide for newbies and a list of career areas, UC Davis (SciComm 101 12-min video).
• Making Science Meaningful for Broad Audiences through Stories, Sara ElShafie, Integr Comp Biol, 2018.
• Access tools and articles on how to turn your science into a story, Science Through Story, LLC.
• Rediscovering the “A” in STEAM: A Fusion of Art and Innovation – Where Creativity Meets Science, 1.5-hour discussion between science communicators and artists.
• Check out the Science Literacy Foundation resource guide, full of SciComm initiatives and resources.
• Join newsletters like The Scicommer or Science Writing News Roundup.
• Consider taking online courses like the email courses from The Open Notebook, or Science communication skills for journalists (SciDev), or Writing in the Sciences (Stanford online).
• Consider reading books on science communication like The Craft of Science Writing, The Science Writer’s Handbook, A Field Guide for Science Writers, or Science Blogging: The Essential Guide.

Learning by doing job-related tasks

Job Simulations are job-related tasks that can be completed in a few hours, to help you assess how enjoyable and how much of a good fit a specific job could be for you. Intersect Job Simulations have been created by PhDs for PhDs, to support their career transitions into a wide range of careers. To make the most of job simulations, please set up SMART Goals to perform each simulation in a reasonable timeline. When you have completed the task, fill out the Self-Reflection Sheet, which will help you reflect on what you enjoyed (or did not enjoy) about the simulation, and how it can help inform your career exploration efforts.

• Job Simulation – Creating a Science Podcast.
• Job Simulation – Journalism – Interviewing experts.
• Job simulation – Freelance Science Journalist.
• Job Simulation – Journalism – Freelancing.
• Job Simulation – Journal Editing.
• Job Simulation – Journal Editing, Triaging Papers.
• Job Simulation – Science journalism – Fact Checking.
• Job Simulation – Writing a General Audience Article.
• Job Simulation – Digital Publishing – Fact Checking.
• Consider attending a ComSciCon workshop. Multiple science writing and communication workshops are hosted across the US (apply in March/April to attend the ComSciCon-Flagship workshop in Boston/Cambridge in July, or apply in July to attend ComSciCon workshops in other US locations in the Fall).
• Consider taking the BU COM Graduate Certificate in Civic Science Communication if you are particularly interested in communicating to a broad audience.
• Consider joining the BU Biological Design Center Comm Lab or interact with members of Boston-based Comm Labs.

Preparing your transition into this career area

• Focus on your skills, Nature article.
• Explore Science Communication Fellowships:
  • AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering 10-week Fellowship.
  • Boehringer Ingelheim Postdoc Fellowship in Medical Affairs and Scientific Communication.
  • Ten fellowships for Science Writers and Science Journalists, ProFellow.
  • Explore a Science Communication Internship at Research!America.

• Explore and connect with members of the following professional societies:
  • Association of Science Communicators.
  • Capital Science Communicators (California SciComm Community).
  • STEMPra, for Science communicators in the UK.
  • Council for the Advancement of Science Writing.
  • International Science Writers Association.
  • National Association of Science Writers (NASW).
  • Cosplay for Science – A SciComm Initiative.
  • European Federation for Science Journalism (EFSJ).
  • International Journalists’ Network (IJNET).
  • World Federation of Science Journalists (WFSJ).

• Explore the resource websites below (with advice and opportunities for new writers):
  • The Open Notebook.
  • Pitch, Publish, Prosper, by NASW.
  • CASW Storygram.

• Growing your network and having informational interviews with PhDs who have transitioned into careers of interest to you (e.g., SciComm Centre (EU)) will enable you to learn more about the job’s daily responsibilities, hiring process, career progression, etc., and the sector as a whole.
  • Look for and join relevant thematic groups on LinkedIn, online communities, etc.
  • Look for BU Mentors and Alumni who have transitioned into this career area.
  • The Social Scientist enables early-career researchers to connect with folks who have transitioned in various career areas, including in communication and outreach.

• Analyze job descriptions to learn more about what institutions and organizations are currently looking for.