NASW Science in Society Journalism Awards

Honoring and encouraging outstanding investigative and interpretive reporting about the sciences and their impact for good and ill.

For material published or broadcast in books, periodicals (newspaper and magazine), and electronic media (radio, television, and the Internet) between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2007. Deadline for submissions: Postmarked Feb. 1, 2008.

THE PURPOSE

NASW established the Science in Society awards to provide recognition — without subsidy from any professional or commercial interest — for investigative or interpretive reporting about the sciences and their impact for good and bad. NASW especially wants to encourage the kind of critical, probing article that would not receive an award from an interest group. Beginning with the first award in 1972, previous winners have demonstrated innovative reporting well beyond the science itself and into its ethical problems and social effects. The awards are considered especially prestigious because they are judged by accomplished peers.

THE AWARDS

NASW will award separate cash prizes of $2,500 for writing judged best in each of these three categories: books, periodicals, and electronic media. Winners and their publishers/broadcasters will also receive certificates.

The awards will be presented at an NASW reception in October 2008 in Palo Alto, California. Reasonable travel and hotel expenses of the award winners will be reimbursed. In cases of multiple authors or producers, only one person's expenses will be covered.

ELIGIBILITY

Any writer (or team) is eligible to submit up to three entries in each category. Material may be a single article or broadcast, or a series. Series will be considered to be single entries. Work must be written or spoken in English, intended for the lay person, and first published or broadcast in North America between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2007.

Web-based materials that merely supplement works first published in print or broadcast are not eligible on their own, and should be submitted with print or broadcast entries.

The original of the story transmitted by a news service will be eligible. Winners of last year's awards or individuals who have won three times are not eligible.

RULES FOR SUBMISSION

Please adhere to the following rules carefully. We've made a number of changes in our submission procedures.

Entries must meet the purpose stated above. Material about significant advances in science, no matter how well written, will be ineligible if the relevance to the broader society is unclear.

Any person, including the author, may submit material. There is no submission fee.

Entrants in the book category should send 10 copies of the book, each accompanied by a completed copy of the attached entry form.

Entrants in the periodicals category should send 10 photocopies of the article as it appeared in the original publication, each accompanied by a completed copy of the attached entry form.

With the exception of those entering Web sites, entrants in the electronic media category should send 10 copies of their entries each accompanied by a completed copy of the attached entry form. Television broadcasts should be sent as DVDs (preferably) or half-inch VHS videotapes. Radio broadcasts should be sent in a standard format on CDs. Those entering Web sites need only provide a working URL (with a password allowing cost-free access if necessary), but they should send 10 completed copies of the attached entry form.

For questions about submissions, email Diane McGurgan, NASW executive director, or call 304-754-5077.

To enter, use this form or download this brochure.

Send entries, postmarked by Feb. 1, 2008, to:

Science in Society Awards Committee chair 2007-2008:

• Robert Finn, San Francisco Bureau Chief, International Medical News Group

Science in Society Journalism Awards:
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