{"id":99791,"date":"2024-09-21T17:36:04","date_gmt":"2024-09-21T21:36:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/?page_id=99791"},"modified":"2026-07-24T15:17:21","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T19:17:21","slug":"science-communications-and-journalism","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/students\/professional-development\/career-exploration-transition\/science-communications-and-journalism\/","title":{"rendered":"Science Communications and Journalism"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3><strong>Introductory Resources<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.molbiolcell.org\/doi\/full\/10.1091\/mbc.e14-03-0813\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">What is Science Communication, and the value of a PhD in that field<\/a>, R. Irion, MolBiolCell, 2017 (career areas, key assets PhDs bring to SciComm roles, sectors and employer types).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.biomedcentral.com\/bmcblog\/2016\/11\/24\/science-working-science-journalist\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Career story: from a PhD in biomedical sciences to Science Journalism<\/a>, Biomed Central blog article.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=wrRSPAFddZI\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Careers in Science Communication (mostly science writers)<\/a>, 1-hour panel discussion.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=RRazGm9WouQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Careers in Science Communication (scientific editor, author, grant writing consultant\/communications strategist)<\/a>, 1-hour Scismic panel discussion.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=db-KTxxTQ6Y\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Careers in Science Communication (focused on communicating science to support public engagement)<\/a>, SCWIST panel discussion.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bu.vault.com\/professions\/online-journalists\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Online Journalists<\/a> &#8211; general info, job description, skills&#8230;, BU Vault.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Diving deeper into this career area<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/davissciencesays.ucdavis.edu\/blog\/scicomm-101-beginners-guide-science-communication\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">SciComm 101 &#8211; A guide for newbies and a list of career areas<\/a>, UC Davis (<a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/4GdYVhCYZsg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">SciComm 101 12-min video<\/a>).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/30059998\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Making Science Meaningful for Broad Audiences through Stories<\/a>, Sara ElShafie, Integr Comp Biol, 2018.<\/li>\n<li>Access <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencethroughstory.org\/scicomm\/resources\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">tools and articles on how to turn your science into a story<\/a>, Science Through Story, LLC.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=O0ReM_zmmQU\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rediscovering the &#8220;A&#8221; in STEAM: A Fusion of Art and Innovation &#8211; Where Creativity Meets Science<\/a>, 1.5-hour discussion between science communicators and artists.<\/li>\n<li>Check out the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scienceliteracyfoundation.org\/resource-guide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Science Literacy Foundation resource guide<\/a>, full of SciComm initiatives and resources.<\/li>\n<li><span>Join newsletters like <a data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" href=\"https:\/\/thescicommer.substack.com\/\" data-linkindex=\"0\" title=\"https:\/\/thescicommer.substack.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Scicommer<\/a> or <a data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" href=\"https:\/\/sciencewriting.substack.com\/\" data-linkindex=\"1\" title=\"https:\/\/sciencewriting.substack.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Science Writing News Roundup<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Consider taking online courses like <a data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theopennotebook.com\/science-journalism-master-classes\/\" data-linkindex=\"2\" title=\"https:\/\/www.theopennotebook.com\/science-journalism-master-classes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the email courses from The Open Notebook<\/a>,\u00a0or <a data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" href=\"https:\/\/scidevnet.teachable.com\/p\/science-communication-for-journalists\" data-linkindex=\"4\" title=\"https:\/\/scidevnet.teachable.com\/p\/science-communication-for-journalists\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Science communication skills for journalists (SciDev)<\/a>, or <a data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" href=\"https:\/\/online.stanford.edu\/courses\/som-y0010-writing-sciences\" data-linkindex=\"5\" title=\"https:\/\/online.stanford.edu\/courses\/som-y0010-writing-sciences\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Writing in the Sciences (Stanford online)<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Consider reading books on science communication like <a data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theopennotebook.com\/the-craft-of-science-writing\/\" data-linkindex=\"6\" title=\"https:\/\/www.theopennotebook.com\/the-craft-of-science-writing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Craft of Science Writing<\/a>, <a data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasw.org\/page\/science-writers-handbook-series\" data-linkindex=\"7\" title=\"https:\/\/www.nasw.org\/page\/science-writers-handbook-series\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Science Writer\u2019s Handbook<\/a>, <a data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Field-Guide-Science-Writers-Association\/dp\/0195174992\/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1HJEV05SDXWRE&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Hr4pXXPhFN60v-wdAAaA2A.VvkPEuZYMdRkGY26L5dUDjOlNef4rSwx0kvmEajuVYw&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=A+Field+Guide+for+Science+Writers%3A+The+Official+Guide+of+the+National+Association+of+Science+Writers&amp;nsdOptOutParam=true&amp;qid=1784906769&amp;sprefix=a+field+guide+for+science+writers+the+official+guide+of+the+national+association+of+science+writers%2Caps%2C377&amp;sr=8-1\" data-linkindex=\"8\" title=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.in\/Field-Guide-Science-Writers-Association\/dp\/0195124944\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A Field Guide for Science Writers<\/a>, or <a data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.in\/Science-Blogging-Essential-Christie-Wilcox-ebook\/dp\/B01BNUGPP4\/\" data-linkindex=\"9\" title=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.in\/Science-Blogging-Essential-Christie-Wilcox-ebook\/dp\/B01BNUGPP4\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Science Blogging: The Essential Guide<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Learning by doing job-related tasks<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>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. <a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Intersect Job Simulations<\/a> 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/smart\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">SMART Goals<\/a> to perform each simulation in a reasonable timeline. When you have completed the task, fill out the <a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/reflection\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Self-Reflection Sheet<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/library\/scicomm-podcast\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Job Simulation &#8211; Creating a Science Podcast<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/humanities-simulations\/sciencejournalism\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Job Simulation &#8211; Journalism &#8211; Interviewing experts<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/library\/freelance-science-journalism\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Job simulation &#8211; Freelance Science Journalist<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/humanities-simulations\/pitching-an-article\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Job Simulation &#8211; Journalism &#8211; Freelancing<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/library\/journal-editing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Job Simulation &#8211; Journal Editing<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/library\/journal-editing-triaging-papers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Job Simulation &#8211; Journal Editing, Triaging Papers<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/library\/science-journalism-fact-checking\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Job Simulation &#8211; Science journalism &#8211; Fact Checking<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/library\/writing-a-science-article\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Job Simulation &#8211; Writing a General Audience Article<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/humanities-simulations\/journalism-fact-checking\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Job Simulation &#8211; Digital Publishing &#8211; Fact Checking<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Consider attending a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.comscicon.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ComSciCon workshop<\/a>. 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).<\/li>\n<li>Consider taking the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/academics\/public-relations\/graduate-certificate-in-civic-science-communication\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">BU COM Graduate Certificate in Civic Science Communication<\/a> if you are particularly interested in communicating to a broad audience<em>.<\/em><\/li>\n<li>Consider <a href=\"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/bdccommlab\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">joining the BU Biological Design Center Comm Lab<\/a> or interact with <a href=\"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/bdccommlab\/resources\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">members of Boston-based Comm Labs<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Preparing your transition into this career area<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/d41586-019-01332-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Focus on your skills<\/a>, Nature article.<\/li>\n<li>Explore Science Communication Fellowships:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aaas.org\/programs\/mass-media-fellowship\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">AAAS Mass Media Science &amp; Engineering 10-week Fellowship<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/jobs.boehringer-ingelheim.com\/job\/Ridgefield%2C-CT-Post-Doctoral-Fellow-Medical-Affairs-and-Scientific-Communication-%28PhD%29-Unit\/1117797201\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Boehringer Ingelheim Postdoc Fellowship in Medical Affairs and Scientific Communication<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.profellow.com\/fellowships\/10-fellowships-for-science-writers-and-science-journalists\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ten fellowships for Science Writers and Science Journalists<\/a>, ProFellow.<\/li>\n<li>Explore a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchamerica.org\/careers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Science Communication Internship at Research!America<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Explore and connect with members of the following professional societies:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.associationofsciencecommunicators.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Association of Science Communicators<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/capscicomm.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Capital Science Communicators<\/a> (California SciComm Community).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/stempra.org.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">STEMPra<\/a>, for Science communicators in the UK.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.casw.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Council for the Advancement of Science Writing<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/iswainternational.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">International Science Writers Association<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasw.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">National Association of Science Writers<\/a> (NASW).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cosplayforscience.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cosplay for Science<\/a> &#8211; A SciComm Initiative.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/efsj.eu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">European Federation for Science Journalism<\/a> (EFSJ).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ijnet.org\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">International Journalists&#8217; Network<\/a> (IJNET).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wfsj.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">World Federation of Science Journalists<\/a> (WFSJ).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Explore the resource websites below (with advice and opportunities for new writers):\n<ul>\n<li data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\"><a data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theopennotebook.com\/\" data-linkindex=\"10\" title=\"https:\/\/www.theopennotebook.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Open Notebook<\/a>.<a data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasw.org\/\" data-linkindex=\"11\" title=\"https:\/\/www.nasw.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasw.org\/pitch-publish-prosper-online-resources-science-writers-handbook\" data-linkindex=\"12\" title=\"https:\/\/www.nasw.org\/pitch-publish-prosper-online-resources-science-writers-handbook\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pitch, Publish, Prosper<\/a>, by NASW.<\/li>\n<li><a data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" href=\"http:\/\/showcase.casw.org\/story\/category\/storygram\/\" data-linkindex=\"14\" title=\"http:\/\/showcase.casw.org\/story\/category\/storygram\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CASW Storygram<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Growing your network and <a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/infointerviewguide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">having informational interviews<\/a> with PhDs who have transitioned into careers of interest to you (e.g., <a href=\"https:\/\/scicommcentre.eu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">SciComm Centre (EU)<\/a>) will enable you to learn more about the job&#8217;s daily responsibilities, hiring process, career progression, etc., and the sector as a whole.\n<ul>\n<li>Look for and join relevant thematic groups on LinkedIn, online communities, etc.<\/li>\n<li>Look for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/students\/professional-development\/connect-mentors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BU Mentors and Alumni<\/a> who have transitioned into this career area.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/thesocialscientist.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Social Scientist<\/a> enables early-career researchers to connect with folks who have transitioned in various career areas, including in communication and outreach.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mymedia.bu.edu\/playlist\/dedicated\/207936103\/1_9emp2sqk\/1_2lldbf4b\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Analyze job descriptions<\/a> to learn more about what institutions and organizations are currently looking for.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20577,"featured_media":0,"parent":99331,"menu_order":19,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/99791"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20577"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=99791"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/99791\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":108739,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/99791\/revisions\/108739"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/99331"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=99791"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}