Desk Notes Newsletter, February 17, 2021

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Desk Notes
News from the National Association of Science Writers
February 17, 2021 – Vol. 3, No. 2

All stories, all storytellers

NASW’s first annual Diversity Report examines how we are doing in assessing and addressing the myriad areas and initiatives in which our organization and community can support diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within NASW and in our field.

READ THE REPORT & GET INVOLVED
The Membership Committee is looking for a volunteer (or two) to help analyze data from the annual membership survey this spring. Find out more and contact committee co-chair Sarah Zielinski at sciwriter.sarah@gmail.com.

Applications are open

NASW’s Diversity Summer Fellowship supports talented students and early-career communicators from underrepresented minorities who are planning to complete a science communication internship this summer. Up to three applicants will receive $5,000 to supplement any stipends they receive from their employer. Please share with your networks!

APPLY BY APRIL 1

Vent with a venti? 

Find peer support from colleagues through our ongoing #SciWriCoffee virtual meet-ups. Our current series are for freelancers (first and third Thursdays of the month) and parents (once a month with a rotating schedule).

JOIN US
Thank you to our members who've penned an entry for our COVID-19 Time Capsule project, in which we are examining the experiences of science writers during this unprecedented time. Do you want to help us capture this moment? Share your thoughts.

Hot off the press

The pixel art in the Winter/Spring 2021 issue of ScienceWriters magazine illustrates both the joys and frustrations of making real connections in the virtual world. This issue includes coverage from our online ScienceWriters2020 meeting, tips on science writing for kids, and updates from members and regional groups. Have you signed up for a print copy? Expect it in your mailbox any day.

READ IT NOW

Series on COVID-19 data starts today

Supported by an NASW Idea Grant, this free workshop series will explore the major challenges facing journalists and communicators who use data to cover the COVID-19 pandemic.

DIVE INTO THE DATA

Meet a new member

Diedtra (Dee) Henderson, science and communications manager at the Developing Brain Institute at Children’s National Hospital and a new addition to the NASW community, shares #WhySciWri in this short Q&A.
 

MEET DIEDTRA
Making a mistake is high on the list of reporters' biggest fears. But mistakes happen, so what is a journalist to do? Seasoned reporters discuss how to handle mistakes and corrections in this story at The Open Notebook.
Independent journalist Marla Broadfoot suggests using metaphors to write about how COVID-19 vaccines work and the emerging genetic variants. Read the story at AHCJ's Covering Health blog. 

Join our COVID-19 discussion group

Reporters covering the pandemic can find and share resources and information on our COVID-19 discussion group. NASW membership is not required, so please spread the word.

SIGN UP

Read Advance Copy

In “Radiant: The Dancer, The Scientist, and a Friendship Forged in Light," Liz Heinecke tells the story of an unlikely friendship between dancer Loie Fuller and scientist Marie Curie. Read how the book came to fruition in Advance Copy, a column by Lynne Lamberg.

GET THE BACKSTORY
Science writers translate complex jargon for lay audiences, but sometimes it's the simplest terms that require the most explanation, writes Jyoti Madhusoodanan in this article from Knight Science Journalism.
Two new databases—one from the Asian American Journalists Association, the other from Spotlight PA—are making it easier for journalists to diversify their stories’ sources. Learn more at Poynter.
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© 2021 National Association of Science Writers Inc. All rights reserved.

February 22, 2021

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