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TABLE TOPICS EVER POPULAR AT WORKSHOPSby Jeanne Erdmann One of the most popular events at the annual NASW workshops is the network luncheon. This year’s meeting in Seattle was no exception with roughly 365 science writers participating. They chose from a smorgasbord of “table topics” faced by PIOs, freelance, and staff writers. The following is a small sample of the discussions. [A detailed summary of Science Writing for Children, hosted by Evelyn B. Kelly, can be found in the Spring 2004 issue of ScienceWriters (Vol. 53, No. 2).] Covering Science Education[Hosted by Jennifer Donovan, Howard Hughes Medical Institute] Science writers don’t think it’s their job to write about education, and education writers don’t want to write about science (many education writers are, in fact, science phobic). This disconnect often becomes a barrier to getting coverage of science education. Science writer Nicole Stricker, newly hired to cover education at the Idaho Falls Post Register, said she plans to cover science education and to raise public awareness of science. “Parents are more willing to let their kids slide in science and math because they (themselves) didn’t ‘get it’ either when they were in school,” she said. Brad Stenger, of Technology Review, works on projects for the Oregon Museum of Science and Technology. “The museum does a good job of presenting small slices of science,” he said, “but it’s all about entertaining and making things fun.” That’s not all bad, suggested Stricker. “Draw them in with the cool stuff and teach them the vocabulary later.” Emily Carlson, University of Wisconsin-Madison, said she has had good luck getting the University of Wisconsin’s geology museum covered because many adults in the community, including reporters, can remember going there as children. She also noted that NSF requires five percent of its grants be used for outreach, which is science education. “If you have a sexy story, you can get it covered,” said Joan Schwartz, Boston University. “(But) policy stories are harder.” Stricker recommended trying to hook a policy story to a dramatic human-interest story like the Jason Project (www.jasonproject.org/jason_project/jason_project.htm), which involves kids and teachers in science adventures around the world. With the federal No Child Left Behind Act and a growing emphasis on testing and assessment of reading and math skills, schools tend to think they have no time left to do science. “But if you can get kids interested in science, they can learn reading through science,” said Schwartz. Ingrid Wünning, with the Robert Bosch Foundation of Germany, described a successful effort to link high school teachers with scientists in Germany. This partnership is the result of public concern following the latest TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) testing which ranked Germany “only average, which upset everyone,” according to Wünning. The Bosch Foundation is funding the effort with 1.5 million Euros, and the project has received lots of media coverage. Wünning notes the science section of a major German newspaper now is called “Knowledge.” She thinks is a move in the right direction. Freelance Medical Writing[Hosted by Linda Roach, freelance] How do freelance medical writers find work and expand to new markets? Is it a conflict of interest to write for drug companies and also write “objective” journalism? How do you manage your time and business? Are science-writing courses helpful? These are just some of the issues faced by freelance medical writers. When it comes to finding jobs most agree that editors, friends, and contacts are the best sources for leads. Participants also recommended:
Tips for expanding to new markets:
How do you avoid conflict of interest when you write for drug companies but also wish to freelance as a journalist? It’s a slippery slope. Many felt it’s OK as long as you disclose any potential conflict to an editor. For example, one participant wrote white papers for Bausch & Lomb, so she doesn’t do magazine stories involving Bausch & Lomb. Another writer said a trade magazine tried to bar her from writing for its competitors. All agree that pharmaceutical and medical device writing must be reliable and true; never compromise journalistic standards. Part of business management is planning ahead for taxes and health insurance (ouch). It’s also recommended that one day a week be set aside for marketing activities that bring in new writing projects. Participants recommend taking science-writing courses for the following reasons: • Good source of contacts, particularly if an editor teaches the
workshop or class Covering Mental Health and Addiction[Hosted by Leah Young, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration] Mental health and substance abuse issues should be part of the medical beat, not the police beat. The group was most interested in the need to convince physicians to screen all patients for alcohol and drug use, especially the elderly. One participant recounted the difficulty convincing her mother’s physician that “mom was not entering Alzheimer’s disease but was drinking alcohol to excess.” The physician was sure the patient was in denial about Alzheimer’s, when in fact the physician was in denial about alcohol abuse among the elderly. Discussion focused on the need to get the word out to physicians groups and medical schools that baby boomers will not just suddenly stop drinking or using drugs as they age and, therefore, writers need to explore these subjects. Also mentioned was co-occurring substance abuse and mental illness—how the depressed elderly often turn to alcohol or drugs to self-medicate their problems. Broadcast Science News[Hosted by Harvey Leifert, American Geophysical Union] Universities want national coverage in all media outlets, but it’s difficult to obtain television and radio coverage for non-health-related science news. The group mentioned several ways both sides can increase science coverage:
Writing for Trade and Alumni Magazines[Hosted by Jeanne Erdmann, freelance] Trade and alumni magazines can help freelancers garner clips and also generate a steady income. Writers can break into science trades and alumni magazines the same way they break into any publication: through recommendations, cold queries, or by meeting editors at conferences. Although alumni magazines may not pay as well as some trades—the range can begin at 40 cents a word—many writers enjoy working for alumni magazines: The stories are fascinating, the editors are easy to work with, and readers are well educated so you can write about science without explaining basic concepts. Granted alumni magazine work has some disadvantages. Regular magazine work from a university may preclude a writer from covering that topic or those scientists for a news outlet. For example, Technology Review won’t hire writers if they are engaged in what’s considered non-journalistic work in the technology field. Science Writing at Mid-Career: What Next?[Hosted by Dawn Stover, Popular Science] This group explored the challenges of sustaining a career in science writing through middle age and beyond. Downsizing and outsourcing have reduced the number of staff positions available, and many employers now seem to prefer hiring writers in their 20s and 30s over candidates with more experience. Young employees are perceived as being cheaper, healthier, more willing to work long hours, and more attuned to popular culture. As a result, middle-aged science journalists and PIOs who are not interested in becoming managers increasingly feel that they have “no place to go” in terms of career advancement. Ironically, long tenure and an established track record may even make a science writer less attractive to some employers and publishers. Ranging in age from 33 to mid-50s, participants discussed a number of possible career paths for experienced science writers who are facing burnout and early-onset age discrimination. Some have moved from journalism into better-paying, more secure PIO jobs. Others have ventured into new beats and the multimedia realm. Everyone agreed that book writing is a natural career progression for writers who have mastered news and feature writing. Other potential outlets include teaching, writing screenplays, and taking time off for a fellowship program. # Jeanne Erdmann is a freelance writer based in Wentzville, MO. |