Let me handle that, I’m a professional: A case for letting science writers tell of scientists’ discoveries

Everyone talks about how scientists should give back, outreach, blog, tweet, tumble, etc., as if it is some kind of charity work. What about science writers and science communicators? Are they to sit idly by while scientists (who are more worried about where the next grant will come) fumble through trying to communicate their “latest discoveries and innovations”? I think science writers should also give back, outreach, blog, etc., but not the way you think. The growing group of science writers should outreach to scientists as a form of charity. We all know they (most of anyway) need our help. When was the last time, writer, you emailed some of the top scientists in your passionate field to ask if there was any way you could help communicate to everyone what exciting new findings they have that most people wouldn’t know about?

This is all tongue in cheek dribbles I’m writing. But, I am trying to get a point across. As presented by scicurious, professors and grad students have a lot on their plate. It is about time we engage them.

Disclaimer: I’m very new at science writing since I just graduated with the Ph.D. in August 2012. I’m naive but optimistic (about this anyway).

Carl Zimmer’s advice for aspiring science writers (mhrussel.wordpress.com)
Science Online Advice: Blogging as a Scientist [Uncertain Principles] (scienceblogs.com)
A Practical Step to Bridge the Divide Between Scientists and Journalists (scilogs.com)
Writer’s Block 1 (Photo credit: OkayCityNate)

7 Replies to “Let me handle that, I’m a professional: A case for letting science writers tell of scientists’ discoveries”

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In my opinion, the dangers of having science writers tell the stories is that writers have the tendency to sensationalize findings and discoveries. This leads to an overall misperception of work in the mainstream media.

Matt Russell says:

February 7, 2013 at 1:04 pm

I completely agree. It has happened in the past, especially when the writers are trying to sell papers or websites. My belief in writing this is to start a conversation. Also, I thought of science writers telling the story as an outreach to scientists. I imagined the process of the writer creating an article or press release then sending it back to the scientist to disseminate or authorize the release by the writer.

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