Ways to volunteer

NASW is an organization that relies on the energy and enthusiasm of volunteers. As volunteers, members can help shape programming as part of a committee or working group, lead or contribute to projects and programs, or run for the board. NASW member volunteers are recognized each year in our ScienceWriters member magazine, as well as via our annual Diane McGurgan Volunteer Service Awards. Thank you to all who contribute and help NASW reflect the needs and interests of members.

Below is a list of currently open calls for volunteers.

ScienceWriters Conference Welcome Coordinator

With in-person meetings now taking place alongside virtual events and often more than 30% of conference registrants attending for the first time, the National Association of Science Writers is continuing previous years’ initiatives to welcome first-time attendees, whether they are virtual or in-person. We are looking for two Welcome coordinators to work on programs for first-time attendees with last year’s Welcome Coordinators, Saugat Bolakhe and Andrea Tamayo.

Was your first ScienceWriters conference experience sometime in the last five years? Have you been to fewer than three in-person or virtual conferences? Help us shape the ways that we welcome first-time attendees to the annual ScienceWriters conference in Corvallis by volunteering as a Conference Welcome Coordinator.

We are now seeking two people who have attended fewer than three conferences or who attended their first meeting within the last five years to work together with last year’s Welcome Coordinators to envision new virtual and in-person experiences and offerings designed to welcome first-time attendees.

Ideally, volunteers would be able to continue in the role for next year (the 2027 annual conference) as well, so please indicate in your email if you think you might be able to volunteer for more than one year.

These could include:

  • Hosting a dedicated chat channel in Whova for Q&A or conversation
  • Virtual meet-ups or other social events ahead of the meeting kickoffs
  • Ways to identify first-time attendees
  • Special resources, such as an FAQ, for first-time attendees
  • Other social or mentoring events at the in-person meeting

Volunteer time commitment is estimated to be around 10 hours per person between August and October. The coordinators will work with the NASW Programs Committee and staff to develop and publicize opportunities.

As with session organizers, Conference Welcome Coordinators will receive complimentary conference registration. Email programs@nasw.org no later than August 27 with your interest and questions.

This opportunity is open to professional and student members of NASW.

Awards Committee

The NASW Awards Committee is always excited to welcome member volunteers. The committee organizes the annual Science in Society (SIS) Journalism Awards and the Excellence in Institutional Writing Awards (EIWA).

Project Volunteers for the Science in Society (SiS) Journalism Awards: We are currently looking for enthusiastic volunteers for two separate roles.

Screeners: This opportunity takes place from mid-February to March 31, 2027. This is a critical role in the awards process. You will be a part of the group that does the first review of entries, assessing eligibility and evaluating whether entries should move forward to the judging round.

The overall time commitment is expected to be about 20-25 hours and takes place from mid-February to the end of March. We encourage science writers of all levels of experience, including early-career, to volunteer.

Screeners will get training and support from Aparna Vidyasagar and Kate Travis, who coordinate the SIS awards.

Category Judges: This opportunity takes place from April to June 2027.

The category judges select three top entries to advance to the final judging committee. You will be a part of a team of 3-6 judges assigned to a single award category. Judges typically work asynchronously to evaluate screened entries and conduct final deliberations via conference call (~1 hour). The selected entries must be submitted to the committee by the middle of June.

Category judges will receive $25 coupons that can be applied to your 2027 membership renewal or registration for ScienceWriters2026.

Contact NASW Awards Committee co-chair Aparna Vidyasagar and SIS program coordinator Kate Travis at awards@nasw.org for any questions. Visit this year’s awards call for SIS entries for more context and background.

Project Volunteers for the Excellence in Institutional Writing Awards (EIWA): We are currently looking for volunteer judges of all levels of institutional and/or science writing experience, including early career. This opportunity takes place from April to August. Selected volunteers will receive an email with instructions in early April.

You will be part of a team of 3-5 judges that will review screened entries in a single awards category. After reading and scoring your assigned entries, your team will work together to select a winner and honorable mentions. Entries are accessed and scored using an online platform. Judges may correspond via email and will typically deliberate via conference call (~1 hour) to make their final selections. These selections and a quote about the winning piece must be submitted to the EIWA program coordinator by August 15.

Judges will receive coupons that can be applied to your 2028 membership renewal or registration for ScienceWriters2026.

Contact Awards Committee Co-chair Charna Albert at awards@nasw.org for any questions.

Judging and Screening opportunities are open to NASW Professional and Student Members.

Info Access Committee

The NASW Info Access Committee is looking for an enthusiastic co-chair and member volunteers to step up and make a real difference in the world of science journalism. Access to information is becoming more challenging, and leading this committee is a chance to pursue transparency and ensure the public gets the information they deserve. We’re looking for volunteers to help track policies and circumstances affecting our science writing community and alert NASW and the Board on what matters most, so we can take action. If you’re fired up about making an impact and ready to lead or volunteer, we’d love to have you on committee.

For more details, please contact Info Committee chair Teresa Carey at infoaccess@nasw.org.

Journalism Committee

The NASW Journalism Committee is looking for an enthusiastic volunteer to serve as Project Coordinator for a new investigative journalism grant. The manager's role will be to compile applications, coordinate a small group of volunteers to screen or judge entries, and report on the group’s consensus on grant recipients.

Additionally, the Journalism committee seeks four to six volunteers as Screeners or Judges for the investigative journalism grant. Responsibilities will include reading and evaluating applications, and meeting with other volunteers and the project manager once or twice to discuss decisions. The time commitment will depend on how many applications are submitted, but we estimate the commitment will be no more than 8 hours for the screeners, and 12~18 hours for judges.

For more details, please contact Journalism Committee co-chairs Emily Sohn and Betsy Mason at journalism@nasw.org

This opportunity is open to NASW Professional Members; those with experience and familiarity as practicing journalists will be preferred.

Annual Volunteer Calls

Some volunteer needs follow a rough annual pattern. Watch the website for volunteer calls during these times:

Questions? Contact director@nasw.org.

Committee chairs: Are you in need of volunteers for your committee or help with a special project? Write up a call and send it to director@nasw.org. for posting here.

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