Science Writing News Roundup

At Pitch Slam 2026, writers will present story ideas to a panel of editors and get immediate feedback on how to make those future stories work for their publications. The session will start with a tour of each editor’s publication: what they cover, who their audience is, which story formats they’re interested in, and how to pitch them in a way that gets you that “yes.” (Image via Robin Berghaus) Welcome! You are reading the Science Writing News Roundup, a newsletter for science writers.

Photo by Nahrizul Kadri on Unsplash Creating a Public AI Policy for Your Newsroom: Whether your newsroom uses AI or not, sharing a public AI policy can help bring audiences from a state of skepticism and mistrust to one of openness and curiosity about your process. Welcome! You are reading the Science Writing News Roundup, a newsletter for science writers. You can also read this edition online. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Sign up here.

Photo by Jonathan Ybema on Unsplash Should you eat lettuce? 5 things newsrooms can do to cover the cyclosporiasis outbreak. When public health guidance keeps changing, these tips can help journalists keep audiences informed without creating more confusion. Welcome! You are reading the Science Writing News Roundup, a newsletter for science writers. You can also read this edition online. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Sign up here.

The deadline is fast approaching for the 2026 AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards contest. Entries must be submitted online no later than Saturday, 1 August. Since their inception in 1945, the AAAS Science Journalism Awards have honored professional journalists for distinguished reporting on science for a general audience. The contest is open to journalists worldwide. Welcome! You are reading the Science Writing News Roundup, a newsletter for science writers. You can also read this edition online.

Welcome! You are reading the Science Writing News Roundup, a newsletter for science writers. You can also read this edition online. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Sign up here. Science journalism challenged by need for quick content. In India as elsewhere, science journalists are faced with a dual challenge: fighting disinformation and explaining complex phenomena in a world that privileges emotions and simplistic statements. Building Relationships While Editing Experts.

Announcing IJ WEEK: An Online Event with More than 100 Speakers Dedicated to Investigative Journalism Around the World.The Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) is looking forward to welcoming the investigative journalism community, journalism academics and trainers, as well as students, to this virtual experience, to expand the opportunities for knowledge sharing and networking. (Image via GIJN) Welcome! You are reading the Science Writing News Roundup, a newsletter for science writers.

On Tuesday, the international scientific publisher Springer Nature sold Scientific American, the iconic 181-year old publication famous for its authoritative coverage of science to LabX Media Group. Large numbers of staff were immediately laid off, and salaries of remaining workers were cut by as much as 30 percent.

Tarbell offers grants of $1,000–$20,000 to support original reporting on AI published in established outlets, whether from freelancers or staff. This round, they’re seeking applications across six focus areas: Accountability reporting on frontier AI companies AI policy and politics AI explainers and analysis AI in government and militaries AI labor impacts AI developments in China Applications for this round close July 12.

Seven journalists awarded fellowships to study science writing.Seven journalists who’ve covered science and the environment across the United States are headed to graduate programs in science journalism aided by Taylor/Blakeslee Graduate Fellowships from the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing for the 2026-2027 academic year. (Images via CASW) Welcome! You are reading the Science Writing News Roundup, a newsletter for science writers. You can also read this edition online.

Photo by Sam McGhee on Unsplash Ten Tips for Prompting Sources to Open Up: Good interviews are key to just about any story in journalism. But to truly make a piece stand out, reporters often need to encourage their sources to really open up—go deep on a complex topic; delve into a fiery controversy; maybe even share a personal story that’s never been coaxed out on the record before.