Lesley Evans Ogden
Verified
(She/Her)
As seen in:
CNN,
MSN Colombia,
The New York Times,
The New York Times en Español,
UOL,
BBC,
BBC Mundo,
British Journal of Cancer,
Business Insider,
El País
and
Covers:
science, nature, environment, sustainability, wildlife conservation, animal behaviour, ecology, health, green energy, nutrition, fitness, archaeology, palaeontology, green energy, equity and diversity
Award-winning freelance science journalist | she/her | Chasing fascinating, unusual, fun & thought-provoking stories | Nature Environment Behaviour Health
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
Commissioned to write a feature article for a magazine during my PhD - on the issue of migratory birds colliding with buildings and windows.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
I've seen ancient rock art depicting such a device. To admit to having used one would be to reveal one's advanced age.
How is social media changing news?
It's allowing more rapid turnover of information, and accelerated response: a double-edged sword in a world overwhelmed with misinformation.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Email. But if you've got something urgent, unique and timely, I'm not opposed to being contacted by phone.
Why did you become a journalist?
I recognized a gap - between scientists and the public - in need of being filled by savvy science journalists. I also really love writing.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
No, but I did co-found my elementary school newspaper in Grade 6, the JKL Standard.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
A difficult choice. I was really honored to have the opportunity to write this story. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/06/science/spirit-bears-canada.html
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Don't quit your day job. And if that doesn't put you off, be tenacious, determined, and single-minded about getting published.
What's your favorite drink?
It's a tie between tea and red wine. But during work hours, definitely tea.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Outside in nature, running, hiking, snowshoeing, skiing, canoeing, or doing some other kind of self-propelled activity.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That scientist journalists "dumb things down." Every field has its impenetrable jargon. Our job is to make specialized knowledge accessible.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.