Seminar

Connected by Curiosity: What Science and Journalism Can Learn From Each Other

Ruairi Mackenzie

As a scientific journalist, I write about different research studies every week. The articles I produce end up on news sites, like The Scientist, Popular Science, and National Geographic. Science journalism reflects and complements the vital work of scientists as they try to answer questions about the world around us. In this talk, I will discuss what it’s like to work in scientific communication, how reporters go about turning complex research into language that the general public can understand, and the essential role that scientists and experts have in making sure research is communicated effectively and accurately. I’ll explore some of the topics I have written about, and work through my process of telling stories about science. I’ll highlight the challenges in balancing stories about eye-catching results with analysis that reflects science’s gradual discovery process. I will discuss how the practise of science and journalism intersect, and how the two disciplines can combine to enhance the impact of new scientific findings. Finally, I will discuss some practical advice on speaking with the media about your research so that you can communicate the most important aspects of your work.