ComSciCon-SciWri 2023

Thank you for your interest in applying to the ComSciCon-SciWri workshop! This workshop occurs annually in conjunction with the ScienceWriters conference, and it is sponsored by Communicating Science (ComSciCon) and generously supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI). ComSciCon-SciWri also partners with the ScienceWriters conference sponsors, The National Association of Science Writers (NASW) and the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing (CASW).

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:
This year marks our sixth workshop. With thanks especially to our partners at CASW, the ComSciCon-SciWri workshops provide budding science writers with a mix of networking and practical training from professionals skilled in various forms of science communication, especially written media and science journalism.

BENEFITS OF THE WORKSHOP:
Selected ComSciCon-SciWri applicants will receive free registration to the ScienceWriters 2023 conference at the University of Colorado, Boulder, where attendees can gain an array of additional professional development opportunities, briefings on the latest scientific research, extensive networking opportunities, and local science field trips. Furthermore, thanks to generous support from HHMI, selected applicants will also receive financial support to defray costs associated with travel, lodging, and food.

Each ComSciCon-SciWri23 attendee will produce and publish an original piece based on the ScienceWriters 2023 conference programing (e.g. coverage of a scientific research briefing, interview with a conference speaker, outreach blog post, etc.) by the end of the workshop. Attendees will work with experienced workshop organizers and CASW professional editors to produce their piece. After editing, CASW will publish attendees’ written pieces on the CASW newsroom. For examples of previous years’ publications, see here: https://casw.org/events/new-horizons-newsroom/

Each attendee will also be matched with a professional mentor based on shared interests/experience to provide the attendee with career advice and guidance. Upon completion of the workshop, ComSciCon-SciWri attendees will receive a free membership to NASW.

WHEN / WHERE:
This year’s ScienceWriters conference will be held in person on October 6-10 at the University of Colorado Boulder in Boulder, Colorado. ComSciCon-SciWri will follow COVID-19 guidelines as put forth by the ScienceWriters 2023 organizers and as defined by NASW and CASW. Therefore, any updates relating to shifts in programming (e.g. from “in person” to “virtual” or “hybrid”) will be relayed to all selected applicants. The workshop is currently expected to be held in-person only.  

WHO CAN APPLY:
All ComSciCon workshops primarily service graduate students and early-career scientists interested in training for science communication. Applications are therefore open to all graduate-level students (PhD, MD, DVM, MS, MA, MPH, etc.), as well as postdoctoral researchers, undergraduate students, and other scientists with previous science communication and/or writing experience studying or working in the U.S. Importantly, U.S. citizenship is not required for eligibility.

Questions? Concerns? Email the Organizing Committee at [email protected]

Thank you for applying!