This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American
In 2014, Diverse Scholar experienced a tremendous repsonse from nascent, emerging, and veteran journalists and science communicators who wanted to attend this amazing conference - at joint meeting of the
National Association of Science Writers and the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing. The meeting includes briefings on current and exciting scientific research, several professional development workshops, and lab tours and science field trips organized by Knight Science Journalism at MIT.
It's a perfect place to network, connect, and find some amazing stories AND sources. You want to come. Really. It's a fun and engaging meeting. That is why I am excited to announce the 2015 DiverseScholar
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National Association of Science Writers (NASW) Diversity Travel Fellowship. Last year we recieved dozens of complete applications. With so many people interested in attending the conference we applied for funds to support MORE Diversce Science Communicators. Sponsored by a generous NASW Idea Grant, these travel awards (10 at $1,000 each) were created to encourage underrepresented minorities in science journalism to attend the ScienceWriters2015 conference (October 9-13; Cambridge, MA). We have funds for 5 students and 5 professionals at $1,000 per travel fellowship. Deadline to apply is Tuesday August 25 at 11:55 pm PST using this online application. U.S.-based underrepresented minority journalists are encouraged to apply especially African-, Hispanic-, and Native-Americans who have journalism experience in STEM, medicine, health, environment, technology, etc.
We will only review completed applications with an uploaded CV/resume that describes your journalism/communication experience. Depending upon the number of applicants, preference will be given to 1) professional journalists either currently reporting on “Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math” (STEM), medicine, health, environment, information technology industry, etc, 2) journalists interested in learning about STEM, 3) students/trainees in journalism & communication, and 4) scientists wishing to explore a journalism/communication career.
Awardees will be selected by mid-September, in time to meet the conference registration deadline of September 24. Recipients will make their own travel arrangements and submit original receipts for reimbursement after the conference. Recipients will be expected to submit a 500+ word essay on a topic to be determined, e.g. ScienceWriters2015 conference experience recap, for possible publication in
DiverseScholar or other suitable venue. Any questions should be emailed to info@DiverseScholar.org.
The application is online and live now, link here.
2014 Diversity Travel Fellows with me (Danielle Lee far left) at the ScienceWriters2014 conference. This could be you, so apply. And yes, if you applied last year and were not awarded you CAN apply this year. So, please do.
Introducing the 2014 Fellowship Awardees
Crystal Garner@shesagarner
Crystal Garner is a senior at The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS, studying broadcast journalism and computer science. She has formerly worked/interned for NPR, NASA, The New York Times, Voice of America, USA TODAY, and the National Association of Black Journalists, among others. Post college, Garner hopes to work with both broadcast and web production in the media industry. She is the 2014 recipient of the Society of American Business Editors & Writers Benita Newton Minority Journalism Award, 2013 recipient of the Investigative Reporters & Editors James Bennett Scholarship and a 2013 recipient of a NASA Space Grant. Website: shesagarner.com
C. Garner,
Research consistently links violent video games to human aggression
Ivan Gonzalez@GonzalezIvanF
Ivan Fernando Gonzalez is a Colombian-Peruvian writer who lives in Richland, Eastern Washington. Recently, he traded an academic life that included walking on top of molten rocks, training sharks, and dealing with keyboards covered with capsaicin (the pungent substance of chilly peppers) for the more adventurous life of a freelance science writer. He writes in English and Spanish for local and international audiences, and he also spends some time trying to build communities on Twitter. You can find him at @GonzalezIvanF (English) and @SalsaDeCiencia (Spanish). He also likes to take pictures with his cell phone and takes care of a pre-schooler that is always two steps ahead of him. You can find his writings, community projects, and pictures at www.IvanFGonzalez.com.
I.F. Gonzalez,
Hispanic Audiences and Diversity in Science Journalism
I.F. Gonzalez,
Culture Dish Diversity Mixer: Building Connections Between Science Writers
Terri Hansen@TerriHansen
Ms. Terri Hansen (Native American, Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska) is a journalist covering the science and environment beat for the national Indian Country Today Media Network, as well as environmental magazines. Ms. Hansen’s focus is the environment, environmental health, and earth and climate sciences as pertains to Native and Indigenous communities. (See clips at Muckrack.) She hails from Portland, Oregon, and has lived in a number of natural areas of the Pacific Northwest. She earned her undergraduate degree in communications from Portland State University. She is the recipient of fellowships from the National Press Foundation, the Society of Environmental Journalists, the Association of Health Care Journalists, and the Earth Journalism Network.
T. Hansen,
Applying “Diversity in Science Writing” to Native Journalists
T. Hansen,
Science, Health, and Environmental Reporting for Indian Country
Jacqueline Howard@JacqEHoward
Jacqueline Howard is a science associate editor for The Huffington Post and host/producer of HuffPost Science’s “Talk Nerdy To Me” video series. She appears weekly on HuffPost Live, recently appeared on MSNBC’s newscast, and was selected to participate in The White House’s “We the Geeks: Women Role Models” initiative. Previously, she served as an editor at AOL’s local news company, Patch, where she spearheaded the “Patch of Nature” reporting project. As a published writer and television producer, Howard has produced content for USAToday.com, MTV Networks, CBS News Productions and WCPO-TV. She holds a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Southern California and a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor. Website: www.jacqueline-howard.com
J. Howard,
Science, Journalism, and Diversity: What Science Writers Are Doing About That Diversity Problem
J. Howard,
A Tough Newsroom Discussion: Why Diversity Is Needed In Science Journalism
Kunmi Sobowalemdlitt.wordpress.com
Kunmi Sobowale is a Doctor of Medicine candidate at the University of Chicago interested in health care disparities. His work on mental health and STEM education and has been featured in USA Today, Health Affairs, KevinMD, and Primary Care Progress Notes. He co-founded a website, “Day in the Life Project”, showcasing the personal narratives of people of color and women in various professional careers to provide role models and a career guide for adolescents. He also conceived and organized Science & Technology: Emerging Professions Underrepresented Professions (STEP UP) Conference to inspire the next generation of women and minority leaders in science and technology. He has explored mental health in Japan, Hong Kong, mainland China, and Vietnam. His education includes Stanford Inter-University Center for Japanese Studies and Yale University (BA: Behavioral Neuroscience).
K. Sobowale,
Enlightening Testimonials from Diverse Science Writers
K. Sobowale,
Engaging the Science-Poor
Honorable Mentions
Miguel Acevedo
Erika Beras
Eunice Cofie
Leigh Cooper
Sherrell Dorsey
Kendra Pierre-Louis
Can't wait to read your application. Deadline is Tuesday August 25, 2015. Get it in early!