Editor’s Note: The following submission is from Barbara Moran, Knight Science Journalism Fellowship Class of 2002. All former Fellows are welcome to send news and updates for publication on the KSJ blog; please contact wroush@mit.edu.
In September, I joined Boston University as the Senior Science Writer on their Research website, and I may have finally found my science writing home. I’ve worked for places that are edgy but have no content; and others that are solid on science but dry as dust. BU is the best of both worlds: they want strong science writing and bold design, and don’t shy away from controversy.
A great example is the e-cigarette package “Behind the Vapor” they put together for the website launch. BU has two top-notch researchers who study the personal and public health risks of e-cigarettes. Sara Rimer, who spent 26 years at the New York Times before coming to BU, wrote a feature article and pulled together two Q&A’s. The video team anchored the stories with an edgy video about e-cigs hosted by a scruffy undergrad, and the design team packaged it with stunning graphics and photos. It’s been getting a huge number of hits and I’m proud to be a part of it. ( As a side benefit, I’ve actually learned something about e-cigs, so I know what the kids are up to nowadays.)
I’m happy as a science writer can be. I have full run of the university, enthusiastic support from the boss, a talented video and design team working with me, and the money and time to do stuff right. I’ve been saying for years that some of the best science writing is coming out of universities and alumni magazines, and I’m thrilled to be part of that trend.
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