NASW’s PIO Committee is seeking proposals from NASW members interested in hosting, planning, organizing and conducting a regional workshop focused on professional development and networking for early-career PIOs, journalists transitioning to PIO roles, and generalist PIOs seeking more training in science communication.
Apply online by Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019.
“The PIO workshops organized by members over the last several years have proven to be valuable experiences for attendees, offering everything from workshops on craft to networking opportunities for regional science writers,” said PIO Committee co-chair, Kelly Tyrrell, interim director of research communications at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “We hope to get strong proposals this year so more PIOs can benefit.”
The PIO Committee was recently budgeted $7,500 as seed money for a workshop to be held before June 30, 2020. Members interested in hosting a workshop later in 2020 are also encouraged to apply, but should note this in their application.
Proposals will be judged on a number of criteria, including: the need of the area for such a workshop; the capacity of the area’s PIO population to ensure adequate attendance; the demonstrated ability of the proposers to plan, organize and successfully carry out the event; and, a rough proposed program agenda.
Preference will be given to proposed locations not near a recent or future ScienceWriters meeting site (Northern California in 2017; Washington, D.C., in 2018; Western Pennsylvania in 2019; and Eastern Colorado in 2020) or a previous regional workshop (Upper Midwest in 2014 and Pacific Northwest in 2017.
NASW is especially interested in projects led by and/or that serve underrepresented audiences and groups. In addition, any funded projects that solicit multiple voices will be expected to showcase a broad diversity of voices from varied perspectives and backgrounds, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, physical ability, nationality, age, socioeconomic status, and belief. The best proposals will outline plans for diversity, equity, and inclusion in project development, execution, and outreach.
Once a proposal and region have been selected, the PIO Committee will work closely with the host group to achieve a successful workshop. It will be contingent upon the host group to secure any additional funding as needed.
“The Committee is grateful to the NASW board for approving the seed money and we look forward to working with future workshop organizers,” said PIO Committee co-chair Michael Newman, senior media relations representative at Johns Hopkins Medicine.
For more information, contact either of the PIO Committee co-chairs, Kelly Tyrrell or Michael Newman.
