The Sessions

AI: Effective tools for science journalists or a source of fear for the future?

Be the first to hear the results of an international survey of science journalists that explored views on current AI tools, the fears that science journalists have in relation to AI, the tools currently being used, barriers to using AI, the perceived risks plus the support and training needs. The survey will be put in context by the experiences of a journalist currently using AI.

Speakers:

• Dr Andy Ridgway, Senior Lecturer in Science Communication at the University of the West of England
• Subhra Priyadarshini, Chief Editor, Nature India & Global Supported Projects, Nature Portfolio

Chair: Deborah Cohen, former editor of the BBC Radio Science Unit and ABSW Board member

AI Workshop: Using AI effectively as a journalist

Discover how to use AI effectively as a journalist in this interactive and instructive workshop.  The workshop will cover ChatGPT and the use of AI to journalistic tasks such as freedom of information requests including the live creation of an AI-assistant.

Workshop leader: Jody Doherty Cove, Head of Editorial AI at Newsquest, leads a team of AI-assisted journalists and helps to oversee the safe integration of AI technologies into Newsquest's 150+ titles across the UK.

Diversity in science journalism: Effective strategies for change

Leading journals Nature and Science have set in motion a range of strategies to increase diversity amongst their journalists, sources and stories.  What is proving effective and what more can be done both at an individual and institutional level?

Speakers:

• Celeste Bievier, Chief News and Features Editor, Nature
• Shraddha Chakradhar, Deputy News Editor for Diversity, Science

Chair: Joseph Harker, Senior Editor, Diversity and Development, The Guardian

How to improve media impact on 'global boiling' 

In 2023, global temperatures reached an all-time high, exceeding the 1.5C threshold governments committed to avoid passing in 2015. The US had 28 weather and climate disasters in 2023, surpassing the previous record of 22 in 2020, costing at least $92.9 billion. A record hot summer caused almost 62,000 deaths in Europe in 2022; extreme floods affected 33 million people in Pakistan and 3.2 million people in Nigeria. These impacts are happening faster than IPCC scientists predicted. UN chief Antonio Gutierres has therefore called the crisis 'global boiling'.

Yet our societies remain less concerned than they should be, and often critics point their finger at the media for not reflecting the severity of the situation. Some say that scientists have been too cautious in their predictions of the severity of what we're facing, and that journalists aren't calling them out. Others highlight that we hear little about dramatic tipping points that we are likely to pass in the next few years, whose impacts will last for centuries if not millennia.

Should science writers be leaving our comfort zones on these critical issues? Ought we to challenge whether predictions, bleak as they are, are going far enough? Or are the problems too complicated to be solved by greater courage? Is it helpful to make clear how alarming the situation is, or not? Can or should we seek to be neutral on the topic? This session will seek to offer ways of covering the crisis and dealing with media culture that might improve the situation.  

Speakers:

• Nada Farhoud, Environment Editor & Columnist, The Mirror
• Roger Harrabin, Television and Radio Reporter and Presenter
• Sylvia Hayes, Research Fellow at the Centre for Climate Communication and Data Science (C3DS), University of Exeter
• Fiona Harvey, Environment Editor, The Guardian

Chair and Producer: Andy Extance, ABSW Chair, Freelance Science Writer

How to reconstruct the science media industry

Like the rest of the media industry, science journalism is at a crossroads. The quickly evolving nature of digital media in an attention-based economy has left beat journalists competing for space in a landscape already facing sweeping newsroom cuts and burnout epidemics. 

Bastions of science journalism faltering over recent years -- like National Geographic laying off its final staffers, Popular Science shuttering its magazine, and BuzzFeed closing its science desk along with the rest of its newsroom -- have drawn a bleak picture for the future of science journalism. This comes at a time when trust in science is rapidly shrinking, underscoring the pressing need for high-quality science journalism. 

Still, some opportunities are emerging -- journalists have never had such direct access to their audience and crowdfunding and direct-to-consumer business models can offer opportunities for non-commercial journalism away from corporate interests.

In this panel, we will ask: is there a way to reconstruct the science media industry for the better? Panelists will discuss the state of the science journalism industry, what business models are most promising, and whether journalists themselves can learn to disrupt the science media industry by building their own platforms to support high-quality science journalism. 

Speakers:

• Chrissie Giles, deputy editor at the Bureau of Investigative Journalism in London
• Sameer Padania, Independent advisor on strategy, policy & funding for public interest journalism and information
• Clara Vuillemin, Co-founder of "Republik Magazine"
• Dominic Walliman is a YouTuber, science writer and former physicist

Chair and Producer: Marianne Guenot, Science Reporter

Meet The Editors

Take 5 minutes to grab some career advice, pitch a story or find out more about the commissioning process from our invited Editors and Journalists.  You will be able to book your slots at the registration desk on the day of the conference. *indicates individual willing to take pitches.

*Mun Keat Looi, International Features Editor, BMJ; *Subhra Priyadarshini, Chief Editor, Nature India & Global Supported Projects Nature Portfolio; *Celeste Bievier Chief News and Features Editor, Nature; Mark Peplow, freelance science journalist, former chief news editor for Nature & former editor of Chemistry World; Nina Notman, freelance science journalist, former features editor, Chemistry World; *Richard Webb, Chief Magazine Editor, Nature; Carolin Riethmüller, german science journalist & author for documentary film, Deborah Cohen, former editor of the BBC Radio Science Unit and ABSW Board member; *Catherine de Lange, Editor New Scientist; *Alexander McNamara, Editor-in-Chief, Live Science; *Tushna Commissariat, features editor, Physics World; Shaoni Bhattacharya, freelance science journalist and formerly acting Commissioning Editor for Science, Nature and Technology on The Observer's New Review; Chrissie Giles, deputy editor at the Bureau of Investigative Journalism in London

One story, three features: How three journalists tackled the same story for very different publications

Last year, the Observer, Nature and Chemistry World all commissioned journalists to write features on the same new science. The results provide a lens on how to pivot between mainstream and specialist publications. The writers will discuss how their experiences of pitching, writing and working with editors differed. Then editors will give tips on how to tailor your writing for different outlets. 

Note: To read the features beforehand (helpful but not essential) look here for the Nature and Chemistry World features, and here for the Observer feature.

Speakers:

• Ned Carter Miles, freelance journalist and audio producer, writing regularly for The Guardian and Observer
• Mark Peplow, freelance science journalist; former chief news editor for Nature and former editor of Chemistry World
• Nina Notman, freelance science journalist, former features editor, Chemistry World
• Tushna Commissariat, features editor, Physics World
• Shaoni Bhattacharya, freelance science journalist and formerly acting Commissioning Editor for Science, Nature and Technology on The Observer's New Review

Chair and Producer: Aisling Irwin, Freelance Science Journalist and ABSW Board Member

Pitching science broadcast media: UK vs Germany

The UK is home to some highly celebrated and much-loved science video and audio broadcasters. Yet smaller names can struggle to make their way in the country, and the content that gets produced often doesn’t include the latest innovative science. By contrast, Germany has much more science content on its mainstream channels and is prepared to look at the latest science. This session will invite journalists and content producers to compare how the media is organised in the different countries and how they commission programmes. It will look at what the differing models for public broadcasting in the UK and Germany mean for related sectors such as online video and podcasts. The session will seek to provide information on how best to pitch broadcast and online content in the UK, Germany and elsewhere. It will also seek to reveal how the countries’ science journalists might learn from each other and try to influence their commissioners towards best serving the public interest.

Speakers: 

• Sam Baker, Freelance journalist and audio producer
• Carolin Riethmuller, Freelance Science Journalist and Documentary Maker
• Sean Wheatley, Independent television consultant
• Amelia Vale, Journalist, Director & Producer for Media Company Factual Eyes, UK

Chair: Sharon Ann Holgate, Freelance Science Writer and Broadcaster

So you want to write a book?

Get the low down from those who have taken both the traditional and self publishing route and get top tips on taking your germ of an idea through to publication, and all that follows from events, to reviews and other publicity.

Speakers:

• Alex O'Brien, science writer and author of The Truth Detective: A poker players guide to a complex world and ABSW Vice-Chair
• Eva Amsen, science writer and author of Hey, There's science In This, and Biology: 100 Ideas in 100 Words
• Kate Barker, Kate Barker Literary Agency

Chair: Mun Keat Looi, International Features Editor, The BMJ and ABSW Board Member

The future of science journalism - how to adapt and thrive

AI, home working and multimedia production techniques are among the developments transforming the way science journalists work. But what will working in science journalism look like in five years or 10 years’ time? How will science journalists need to adapt how they work? What new skills will they need to have? A panel of science editors will provide their insights on how the field will change and answer questions about what this means for working science journalists – and those looking to work in the field in the future. Session conveners Dr Andy Ridgway, UWE Bristol and Victoria Atkinson, Early Career Science Writer Network.

Speakers:

• Catherine de Lange, Editor, New Scientist
• Katy Evans, Managing Editor, IFLScience
• Richard Webb, Chief Magazine Editor, Nature Magazine

Chair and Producer: Dr Andy Ridgway, Senior Lecturer in Science Communication at the University of the West of England and ABSW Board Member

The future of science TV, radio and podcasts

Where are the science programmes on TV? Has the BBC given up commissioning new long form documentaries? Are streaming services interested in science based factual series? And what is happening in the radio/podcast world?  In the UK is the BBC still the dominant player when it comes to audiences for science and medical programmes? These are some of the questions that a panel of commissioners will be discussing in this session.

Speakers:

• Nicola Cook, Head of Development for BBC Studios
• Hugh Levinson, Commissioning Editor for factual programming, including ad hoc science documentaries, at BBC Radio 4
• Rowan Hooper, Senior editor at New Scientist magazine and host of the New Scientist Weekly podcast

Chair: Deborah Cohen, former editor of the BBC Radio Science Unit and ABSW Board member