Also, I’ve started a NN group for neuro-related writers & bloggers: network.nature.com/group/brainy

In the previous topic it is clear that all those in discussion were keen to see Science in the media. The statistics described and the effort put into science in media reflect its poor coverage, hence the urgency to try and bring it ‘home’.

I am a scientist (specifically Geneticist, Epidemiologist and Statistician) who has been urging and searching for ways to enhance the quality and quantity of science and healthcare in the media – for adults and children. I am keen to show that real science is not nerdy but is interesting and pursued as a career to those of us who look ‘normal’. Every person I have met in my time has been truly shocked that I am a scientist. Why? Because I do not ‘Look’ or ‘behave’ like those representing Science in media. I have a true passion for science and at the same time I have time for art, festivals, dinners, sport…. Luckily I have been blessed with good communication skills and am able to simplify theories/facts so that the lay-person can also understand. I have explained science to family, friends and various people all over the world – I am determined to convey science to others the way I see it – as fascinating and friendly!

I am hoping that someone in this forum will be able to get back to me with some avenues to pursue so that I can begin to fill in the missing “science in media” gap.

My direct email address is naheed_rana@yahoo.co.uk

I really look forward to receiving any suggestions/contacts.

Many thanks,
Naheed Rana (PhD)

The above is taken from Declan’s News story. More at the link.

Over to you…

I’m planning to spend 2 weeks in London soon, so I ask you if there is any publication or website where I can find tips for scientific tourism in the city, that is, not only museums, but other places of historical interest as well. Searching for “scientific tourism guide” at Google, I’ve found only one book published in Portugal (on Portuguese science, of course).

Any information is welcome. Thank you.
Luciana

Where and when are these positions advertised?

For those who are currently involved in such programs (or have been) could you please provide some details about the application process (e.g. what experience you need) or about the length of the program, whether it is regularly held during some period of the year…?

Thanks,
Claudia

” “I haven’t died yet,” said Michael Arrington, the founder and co-editor of TechCrunch, a popular technology blog. The site has brought in millions in advertising revenue, but there has been a hefty cost. Mr. Arrington says he has gained 30 pounds in the last three years, developed a severe sleeping disorder and turned his home into an office for him and four employees. “At some point, I’ll have a nervous breakdown and be admitted to the hospital, or something else will happen.”
“This is not sustainable,” he said.
It is unclear how many people blog for pay, but there are surely several thousand and maybe even tens of thousands.”

So I want to know what science stories you would like to see on the box? Or is the science community too disillusioned by TV’s treatment of science issues to care?

The European office of Nature in Munich offers regular 6-12 week work-experience periods (on a voluntary basis) to those wishing to learn about, and participate in, the day to day operation of a science news office. Also suitable for students studying science journalism or science communication. German language an advantage but not a necessity.
Contact Quirin Schiermeier
q.schiermeier@nature.com

This is my first post to this most interesting
group. I have been wondering about the marketing
of books.

Does anyone have suggestions as to the best ways to market a book after publication by a good publisher?

I am a scientist and an informationist that did much editing on the book Pediatric Gastrointestinal Disorders: Biopsychosocial Assessment and Treatment authored by Carin L Cunningham and Gerard A. Banez.

I am not involved in any proceeds for the book, did much editing for a donation to an organization I believed in.

What can I do to make this book, that is important to a niche group, but also to science students interested in pediatrics, psychology or the gastrointestinal system, to become aware of this publication?

It is the best value out there. It is concise, includes historical data, as well as case studies, and belongs on everyone’s shelf interested in this field. The book has been favorably reviewed by review groups and new reviews appear as the book’s use is found successful in practice.

Since I am in the process of writing a book, the aspect of marketing is of interest to me.

My primary work is providing information via the deep web, fee-based databases, and unpublished resources, to those that do not have access or time to sift through information to complete a research project, find ideas for a new product, state-of-the art scientific information, need help with a start-up, or established company.

I worked as a scientist and later as an informationist in the chemical, physical and medical sciences for over 25 years in non-profit,
for-profit, Fortune 500 and smaller private companies.

Thanks much in advance,

Rosa

Rosa Raskin, M.S., M.L.S.
Rosa S. Raskin & Associates, LLC
Excellence in Research, Consulting & Innovative Product Development
451 Lassiter Drive
Highland Heights, Ohio 44143 U. S. A.
Web: http://www.raskinfo.com
Prim Email: rosaraskin@hotmail.com
Secondary Email: rosa@raskinfo.com
Blog: http://preciouscooking.blogspot.com
Blog: http://mostpreciousmemories.blogspot.com

I am trying to gather feedback in a survey to determine the feasibility of a new science writing contest called, “BioIdeas.” BioIdeas is under consideration to launch in 2008, pending the interest-level from prospective applicants. The brief survey should only take about 5 minutes – all answers completely anonymous – to determine the level of interest in this type of contest.

The Premise: The goal of BioIdeas is to bridge the gap in communication between the scientific community and people outside the scientific community, with the assumption that there are scientists and lay people alike who hold a piece of a scientific puzzle that could greatly benefit/accelerate scientific discovery; all that is needed is a forum – the contest – to bridge this gap.

The Survey Link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=DI_2bjvuQ2TQQ_2bkr_2b4EUd4Rw_3d_3d

The Contest: Applicants will be asked to submit a novel biological idea in 500 words or less. The BioIdeas writing contest will be open to anyone 18 years or older, and does not require any prior education or experience in the sciences, only good ideas. All entries will receive feedback within 30 days by industry professionals with Ph.D.s and postdoctoral experience in the biological sciences.

The Awards: The suggested awards for the top 10 winners are as follows: – First place: $10,000, gold trophy, certificate, interview posted on contest website – Second place: $3,000, silver trophy, certificate, interview posted on contest website – Third place: $1,000, bronze trophy, certificate, interview posted on contest website – Fourth-Sixth places: certificate, interview posted on contest website – Seventh-Tenth places: interview posted on contest website.

All feedback is welcome and considered valuable for selecting the important factors to include in a writing contest that will best serve the science writing community.

Thank you in advance for any input you and other members of this forum would like to offer, either through the survey or in direct response to this message. Your contributions are much appreciated.

Sincerely,

Ricardo Mancebo, Ph.D.

Web: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=DI_2bjvuQ2TQQ_2bkr_2b4EUd4Rw_3d_3d

Maybe I am simply wrong, not being a professional science writer or journalist myself.

For the sake of completeness, I thought I would ask here if anyone knows of other publications with similar scheme.

I gather than New Scientist has one. Any others I should add?

We need to review books when fresh, which often means commissioning reviews months before the books come out – so I’m extending my radar. If you or anyone you know is going to be publishing a climate book (or if you’ve got a good idea where I should hunt or who I should ask), then please send me a message!

Many thanks,
Anna

Similarly, I have previously talked to Nobel Prize winner Brian Josephson, who has been pilloried because he is prepared to think about issues that other scientists have decided aren’t worth thinking about.

Is this really the right way to go about things? We might think that the first scientist, who holds theories on climate change that most of the community now believe to be incorrect, is not taking in the whole picture, but surely he doesn’t deserve to be labelled the same way as a Holocaust denier? Fred Hoyle clung onto the steady state theory long after most astrophysicists were convinced by the big bang, but that didn’t make him a ‘big bang denier’.

It seems there are certain topics we just aren’t allowed to be scientific about – emotions always creep in. But is this right?

This forum provides a great opportunity to discuss issues with other science writers: please make use of it.

Brian Clegg
forum moderator

Some science writers or journalists specialize in covering a certain branch of knowledge. For instance, Carl Zimmer covers Life Sciences while Philip Ball covers Physical Sciences. These science writers, however, still cover a large chunk of research. Others specialize even more, covering just one discipline like Astronomy or Medicine.

As a former Physics graduate student, I am more familiar with this field, more apt to spot a relevant research in the scientific journals, and so most of my stories are about Physics.

But the story I am most proud to have written is about Leaf-cutter Ant Physiology… That’s because, I guess, as a Biology dummy who hadn’t known what an Ectotherm animal was before I interviewed the biologists, I could imagine better what a layperson would need to know to understand the story and elicit better explanations.

Actually, I quited my research career and want to be a science writer because I realized I would rather “to know nothing about everything” than “everything about nothing”. But now, It seems to me that even a science writer must choose his/her areas of expertise.

What do you think it is the best career strategy? How did you choose your niche?

I suspect unless those who work at Nature get their act together quickly and do something (how about it, Nature people?), there isn’t time to enter – but what would your science-based agenda be for about half the content of a two hour radio news programme that is listened to by a huge number of the influencial people in the UK?