National Association of Science Writers
Fourth Annual Professional Workshops
20-21 January 1999
Grab your shades and pack your sunscreen. Science writers go Hollywood this year at the NASW workshops held in Anaheim, Calif., in advance of the American Association of Advancement of Science annual meeting.
A working schedule is posted below in two versions — schedule at a glance and a detailed schedule. Last update: 26 February 1999.
Workshops are organized around three overlapping topics: Journalism, freelance and public information. All NASW members are welcome to attend any workshop.
Tapes of the Thursday workshops may be purchased at cost for $10 each ($15 for the plenary session on embargoes). Send a check payable to "NASW" with your order to: Diane McGurgan, NASW, PO Box 890, Hedgesville, WV 25427-0890.
Schedule at a glance
Wednesday
|
Discovery Science Center |
2-6 p.m. |
From Science to Screen: |
(Reception has been canceled) |
Thursday |
Journalism |
Freelance |
Public Information |
|
8:30-10:30 a.m. |
| |||
10:45 a.m.-noon |
How to Write About the Hard Stuff |
Step-By-Step Through the Multimedia Maze: A Hands-on How-to
for Multimedia |
Making Your Office Work |
Characteristics of a Successful PIO Office |
noon-1 p.m. |
Lunch |
Lunch |
Lunch |
Lunch |
1-2:15 p.m. |
Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics! |
Getting it Right |
Spinning a Speciality |
#3@&!@*##!. . . or Miss Manners' Guide to Dealing with
Difficult Researchers |
2:30-3:45 p.m. |
Big Stories, Ambitious Projects |
-- |
Meet the Editors: West Coast |
Electonic PIOs: Taking Advantage of the New Medium |
4-5 p.m. |
AAAS press conference | |||
5:15-6:30 p.m. |
Late-Breaking News Story Analysis |
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Lab: Using Humor
in Science Writing |
Writing a Science Book |
|
Detailed Schedule
Wednesday
20 January 1999
Discovery Science Center
* Transportation: A 20-minute cab ride from hotel. People with cars,
see Center web site for directions.
2-6 p.m.
From Science to Screen: Movie and TV Writers Discuss the Drama of Science
(Reception has been canceled)
Movies and television wield the power to shape public perceptions of science and scientists. Mad scientists create life in the laboratory or seek to rule the world. Heroic scientists use their knowledge to defeat space aliens or conquer mysterious lethal viruses. But does the cinematic image of scientists help or hurt public attitudes towards real world science and scientists? How do screenwriters work to balance "good science" with the pressures of the movie-TV industry to tell an entertaining story? Spend an afternoon interacting with some top Hollywood screenwriters and Cinema-TV faculty from the University of Southern California who will reveal how they turn science related subjects into successful scripts, and show film clips, in an open and dialogue with you, the audience.
- Location: Discovery Science Center (Southern California's Newest Science Facility), Santa Ana (About a 10 minute drive/cab ride from the hotel)
- Organizers: The Writing Division of the USC School of Cinema-TV; and NASW members Paul Lowenberg, University of Washington News Office, and Eric Mankin, Director of the USC News Service
- Hosts: Pamela Douglas, award-winning television writer and professor, USC Cinema-Television Writing Division and Dr. Lynn Spigel, chair of the Critical Studies Division. Participants: Award winning student film makers; Bob Gale, screenwriter, "Back to the Future" trilogy; Dan O'Bannon, screenwriter, "Total Recall"; Neal Baer MD, supervising producer and writer, "ER"; Doron Weber, program director, Sloan Foundation.
Thursday
21 January 1999
Anaheim Marriott Hotel
8:30-10:30 a.m.
Plenary Session
Hold for Release: Embargoed Science, Embattled System
In 1975, an international group of biomedical researchers met in Asilomar, Calif., to discuss the risks associated with the (then) new field of genetic engineering and devise guidelines for research. Because of the sensitivity of the issue, reporters were initially barred from the meeting. Ultimately a compromise was reached and a handful of science journalists attended after having agreed to embargo news stories until the conclusion of the meeting. Twenty-three years later, the embargo continues to impact the practice of science reporting. Meanwhile, a new generation of science journalists and new information gathering technology have come on the scene. Both are changing the way science is reported. At its 1997 annual board meeting, the NASW board initiated a critical examination of the continuing utility of embargoes on science news. As part of that examination, this workshop will examine the origin of the embargo and its relevance in an age of instant communication.
- Location: Orange County Ballrooms 1 & 2
- Organizers: Rick Borchelt and Lynne Friedmann
- Part 1: The Asilomar Legacy; Participants: David Perlman, science editor, the San Francisco Chronicle; Cristine Russell.
- Part 2: Forget About Breaking the Embargo — Maybe The System Is Broken; Participants: Lee Hotz, science reporter, The Los Angeles Times; Doug Levy, science reporter, USA Today; Susan Turner-Lowe, National Academy of Sciences; David Lewin, Journal of the National Cancer Institute; Laura Garwin, Nature magazine; Monica Bradford, Science magazine.
10:30-10:45 a.m.
Break
10:45 a.m.-noon
JOURNALISM: How to Write About the Hard Stuff
All of science writing might be considered difficult material, but within the sciences some subjects truly defy reporting and story-telling efforts. Here's how some people pull the interesting news and engaging tidbits out of tough subjects, like math, chemistry, and other tough stuff.
- Location: Grand Ballroom Salon G
- Organizer: Carol Cruzan Morton
- Participants: K.C. Cole, The Los Angeles Times; Robert Coontz, freelance writer & editor
JOURNALISM: Step-By-Step Through the Multimedia Maze: A Hands-on How-to for Multimedia
- Location: Orange County Ballroom 5
- Organizer: Jane Ellen Stevens, multimedia science and technology journalist
- Participants: Andrea Meditch, executive producer, Discovery Channel Online; Charlene Laino, science producer, MSNBC.com; Sean Henahan, freelance; Ken Chang, science writer.
PUBLIC INFORMATION: What Makes a Successful Public Information Office?: A User's View
What characterizes an excellent PIO office? A panel of reporters discusses (without actually rating) what makes for a good pr office, using examples. We'll poll reporters is advance to get their thoughts. The results from that poll will be used as a starting point for discussions. We'll look look beyond PIO offices with big staffs and budgets, and also focus on smaller institutes and offices that do use creative strategies to be responsive to the media.
- Location: Orange County Ballroom 3
- Organizer: Seema Kumar, Whitehead Institute
- Participants: Carol Ezzell, Scientific American; Sue Goetinck, Dallas Morning News; Jay Ingram, Discovery Channel, Canada; David Perlman, San Francisco Chronicle.
FREELANCE: Making Your Office Work
Hear the latest ideas on setting up — and maintaining — your office. From papyrus (well, almost) to laser printers, chairs to computers, in rain and shine: how to make sure your office is part of the solution, not part of the problem. Topics include: Office Efficiency: how to use notebooks, word-processor files, filing cabinet, and in-out trays to keep track of everything — on a budget that even Scrooge McDuck would love; Making your computer listen: Voice activation and other software that helps deal with repetitive stress; Avoiding disaster when disaster strikes: From plastic to fix a broken window to devices that hook up your computer to your car battery while you upload over your cellular phone by deadline; Is your home office "Ergonized"? How to avoid workplace hazards; and Odds and ends for an efficient home office: scanners, do-it-yourself desks, computer-based fax.
- Location: Orange County Ballroom 4
- Organizer: Steve Hart
- Participants: David Tenenbaum; Linda Roach Monroe; Blake Powers; Rani Lueder, President of Humanics ErgoSystems
Noon-1 p.m.
Lunch
1:00-2:15 p.m.
JOURNALISM: Getting It Right
Our reporting may cover the intricate world of scientific truths and confusions, but in this era of ever greater time and competitive pressures, ensuring the accuracy of our information can be extremely tough. Yet if we don't do that, itís clearly time to hang up our science-writing hats. In this workshop, experts from a range of media will look at tough issues they're facing today in getting stories right, and will discuss realistic ways to maintain the highest journalistic standards. Just as we can all profit from re-reading Strunk and White occasionally, so can this session recharge everyone's batteries. Science writers who have entered the business through doors other than the traditional ones of newspaper reporting or j-school may find the workshop of particular value.
- Location: Orange County Ballroom 5
- Organizer: Laura van Dam, senior editor, Houghton Mifflin Co.
- Participants: David Ansley, OnHealth.com (moderator); Jeff Black, managing editor, OnHealth.com; David Garcia, Fox News; Joel Greenberg, science and medicine editor, Los Angeles Times; Deborah Franklin, Health; Jon Franklin, Raleigh (N.C.) News & Observer.
JOURNALISM: Lies, Damned lies and statistics!
A few dozen reviews of the accuracy of the statistics and research design in research articles published in peer-reviewed medical journals all come to the same sobering conclusion: roughly one-half of these articles contain at least one significant error, and one-quarter of them contain at least one error so egregious, it calls into question the truth of the researchers' conclusions.
What can you do about it? More than you think. Come see for yourself examples of screwed-up studies from your favorite journals, including the New England Journal of Medicine and JAMA. (Re)Learn the principles, not by being lectured to, but by seeing them misused in studies you may even have written about! Ask all those questions you've been saving up. Find out how you can have your own personal statistician to consult at crunch time!
- Location: Grand Ballroom Salon G
- Organizer and participant: John Miller.
PUBLIC INFORMATION: #3 @&!@*##!. . .or Miss Manners' Guide to Dealing With Difficult Researchers
We had to cancel it last year because of President Clinton's talk. But, because so many of you asked for ithere it is! Tricks, tips, and strategies for dealing with different personality traits of difficult scientists without losing your cool. Also, information on prepping scientists to talk in sound bites, training PIs to let PIOs know about news, and convincing scientists about the benefits of talking to reporters.
- Location: Orange County Ballroom 3
- Participants: Joann Rodgers, Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions.
FREELANCE: Spinning A Specialty
Ever wish you could spin one story into a handful of assignments — or even a new specialty? You can. Four writers explain how they've turned a single topic into articles, online pieces, or books. Stretch a story. Find new markets. Delve deep into subjects. Tips on how to do it all — without irking your editors.
- Location: Orange County Ballroom 4
- Organizer: Kathryn S. Brown
- Participants: Deborah Blum, freelance writer, prof of journalism, University of Wisconsin, Madison; Jim Kling, freelance writer (Bellingham, Wash); Jane Stevens, freelance multimedia journalist, (Sea Ranch, Calif)
2:15-2:30 p.m.
Break
2:30-3:45 p.m.
JOURNALISM: Big Stories, Ambitious Projects
Reporters and editors talk about putting together special sections, big stories, series and projects.
- Location: Grand Ballroom Salon G
- Organizer: Carol Morton
- Participants: Boyce Rensberger, MIT Knight Science Journalism Fellowships director; Robert Logan, journalism professor, University of Missouri-Columbia; Scott LaFee, science writer, San Diego Union-Tribune.
PUBLIC INFORMATION: PIOs Go Electronic: How to Take Advantage of the New Medium
And paper begat the fax and fax begat email and email begat the Web. What is the most effective way of releasing science news today? This workshop will explore email listservs, on-line services such as Eurekalert and Newswise, institutional Web sites, and print-quality, high-resolution images on the Web. There will also be a discussion of the methods of Web-based sound and video, both streaming actual events, or archiving sound and visual "bites." The session will offer advice on the future of snail mail and fax and the best ways to take advantage of the electronic medium.
- Location: Orange County Ballroom 5
- Organizer: David Brand, Cornell University
- Participants: Roger Johnson, Newswise; Fred Golden, contributing editor, Time.
FREELANCE: Best of the West: Meet the West Coast Editors
A top freelance favorite. Top West Coast editors tell you what jobs they offer, what they want from their writers, and how much money they'll pay. They cover university magazines and ghost writing as well as hot new markets in speech writing and on-line services. Plus, get the answers to your questions during a Q & A period.
- Location: Orange County Ballroom 4
- Coordinator: Aries Keck , American Association for the Advancement of Science
- Participants: Max Benavidez, director, media relations, Caltech; Denys Horgan, director of editorial services, UC San Diego; Ken Chang, science writer, ABCNews.com; David Ansley, medical editor, OnHealth.com; Deborah Franklin, senior editor, Health Magazine; Karen Watson, science editor, Discovery Online.
4-5 p.m.
AAAS Opening Press Conference
5:30-6:30 p.m.
JOURNALISM: Late-Breaking News Analysis
How do we get our stories? It's one of the first questions outsiders ask science writers. And we give them the standard answers: journals, meetings, press releases, and so on. Reporters on this panel will use recent examples of their own coverage to take a closer look at this question. Are we relying too heavily on a handful of sources? A recent examination of science coverage concludes that we are, indeed, slipping into pack journalism. What can we do to change that? And, how do we, as individual reporters, bring some originality and insight to stories that get excessive coverage such as the recent octuplet birth?
- Location: Orange County Ballroom 3
- Organizer: Paul Raeburn, science editor, Business Week
- Participants: Glennda Chui, science writer, San Jose mercury News; Peggy Girshman, medical and science producer, Dateline NBC; Alex Witze, science writer, Dallas Morning News.
JOURNALISM: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Lab: Using Humor in Writing About Science
You don't have to be Dave Barry to write science humor. In fact, you don't even have to be funny. In this workshop, we'll review how you can make your writing light and lively, add character to your subjects, and turn even the driest stories into something entertaining (or at least not painful). Our panelists will offer tips on getting good quotes from sometimes dull sources; writing fun leads, captions, and kickers; and editing copy to punch up your story and keep things moving. We'll also discuss related issues, including: When is humor appropriate or inappropriate? How hard should you work to make something funny? And who pressures writers to keep things serious: scientists or editors?
- Location: Orange County Ballroom 5
- Organizer: Karen Hopkin
- Participants: Marc Abrahams, editor of the Annals of Improbable Research; Rosie Mestel, Correspondent for New Scientist; Joe Palca, National Public Radio
FREELANCE: Writing a Science Book: Recent Authors Tell How and Why They Did It
Hear about conceiving, selling and writing science books from people who have been there. We'll discuss new trends in science books, including new opportunities for science writers as the celebrity-scientist-author trend loses steam. We'll talk about the financial realities of publishing and whether or not you need an agent. Also, we'll share the joys of publishing your first book and the agonies of a difficult collaboration, along with take-home lessons on avoiding or mitigating the agony.
- Location: Orange County Ballroom 4
- Organizer: Mary Miller
- Participants: Ted Anton, Joel Shurkin, Chris Curran.
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