Independent media—newspapers, magazines, radio, podcasts, documentary films—are an important part of public education. Many adults never take another science course after high school and the way they make sense of... [ view full abstract ]
Independent media—newspapers, magazines, radio, podcasts, documentary films—are an important part of public education. Many adults never take another science course after high school and the way they make sense of scientific breakthroughs is through the popular press. Like it or not, the press, rather than scientific journals, is the conduit for making your science matter and can help effect public perceptions, actions, and even policy.
Often though, the stories that get told are the ones typically the easiest to sell. How can scientists interest journalists in the nuanced, multi-dimensional, long-term research that goes on in the field and lab without resorting to clickbait and sensationalism? What do journalists want to know? How do scientists find the right journalist to tell the world about their hard-won research?
In this session, the three journalists will spell out what creates a winning story for the popular press. Through examples and discussion, scientists will learn what works, what doesn’t, and how they can create winning pitches. Scientists can also discuss their media experiences (for better or worse) and brainstorm how their research or issue may be framed in a manner that will attract media attention to reach their intended audience.
