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

Here for you. Here for each other.

This time last year, the pandemic forced NASW to quickly pivot and find creative ways to meet our members’ needs. Our members and volunteers responded: We created resources for covering #COVID19, hosted a successful virtual conference, found ways to mentor students online, created #SciWriCoffee chats, developed a virtual internship fair, and worked hard to ensure that dues would not become a barrier to any member’s continued involvement.

As we look ahead to the coming year with many restrictions still in place, we find ourselves with a whole new box of tools, such as online networking platforms, small group Zoom chats, and the possibility of adding a virtual component to future in-person meetings to increase accessibility. Even amidst the continued uncertainty about what will be possible in 2021, we are confident that we can and will continue to support each other and high quality science journalism.

Right now, one year in, we want to learn what’s top of mind for the science writing community and how we can best support you. We invite you to share your thoughts and needs in our latest version of the NASW Community Check-in. We will collect responses in this short survey until April 1.

Our best wishes,

Jill Adams, NASW president
Tinsley Davis, NASW executive director

RESPOND TO OUR COMMUNITY CHECK-IN

Help us capture this moment in time

For the past year, NASW has been examining the professional and personal experiences of science writers as they live and work through the pandemic. All NASW members are invited to contribute to our COVID-19 Time Capsule project by writing an approximately 300-word vignette. We welcome first submissions as well as updates.

#SciWri21: What we’re doing and how you can help

NASW is working with our partners at the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing (CASW) and the University of Colorado to figure out a safe, creative, and awesome way forward together. Among the deliberations are whether the gathering will be in person, virtual, or a hybrid—and when the event ought to take place. In the meantime, we’d love to hear your ideas for proposals.

LEARN MORE & SUBMIT A PROPOSAL

NASW’s Journalism Committee is interested in joining with other NASW committees to offer a mid-career mentoring program for members of all stripes. What would you like out of a mid-career mentoring program? Please complete this short survey by March 24 to help us tailor our efforts to your needs. Questions? Email journalism@nasw.org.

Got ideas? We’ve got grants

NASW’s Grants Committee is accepting applications for a new round of Peggy Girshman Idea Grants. We invite proposals from individuals or groups for grants of up to $15,000 to support projects and programs that will help science writers in their professional lives and/or benefit the field of science writing.

APPLY BY MARCH 31

Diversity Summer Fellowships available

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.

APPLY BY APRIL 1

New volunteer opportunities available! From serving on a committee to judging our annual writing awards, NASW relies on the energy and enthusiasm of volunteers. Learn more and get involved.

Grants support diverse reporting

Awarded last October, NASW's Diversity Reporting Grants were offered to help freelance writers, many of whom were struggling financially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Awardees received $1,000 to support their coverage of how science- and health-related issues are impacting marginalized communities.

SEE THEIR WORK

Meet a new member

Amanda Morris, an early career journalist working as a multimedia bioscience reporter at The Arizona Republic, and a new addition to the NASW community, shares #WhySciWri in this short Q&A.

MEET AMANDA

Early-career reporting fellowships

Early career journalists seeking professional mentoring are invited to apply for National Science-Health-Environment Reporting Fellowships.

APPLY BY MAY 10

One year into the pandemic, how are health reporters doing? Find out in this article at Nieman Reports.

When writing about race, abuse follows, especially for journalists of color and women. Read more in this Poynter article.

Student coverage from the AAAS meeting

NASW's Education Committee paired students with professional science writers for a virtual mentorship program during AAAS 2021. Some of the students covered sessions, with mentors serving as editors. Thank you to our members who volunteered as mentors!

READ THEIR STORIES

Read Advance Copy

In “Life's Edge—The Search for What It Means to Be Alive,” Carl Zimmer explores efforts by physicians, scientists, philosophers, and historians to answer this timeless question. Read how the book came to fruition in this column by Lynne Lamberg.

GET THE BACKSTORY

Updates for freelance members

NASW's Freelance Committee shares updates on the PRO Act and getting pandemic assistance, including applying for PPP loans by March 31.

LEARN MORE

The ongoing fight against racism in newsrooms is discussed in this article by Columbia Journalism Review.

How do people get started in science writing? Find out in this article in The Open Notebook.

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© 2021 National Association of Science Writers Inc. All rights reserved.

Desk Notes Newsletter, March 17, 2021