The Knight Science Journalism Program has been around for over 40 years, so we have a large community of alumni. KSJ reached out to this global group of esteemed science reporters and asked them, “What advice do you have for future science journalists?” Or perhaps, “What would you say to your younger self?” Messages rolled in with thoughtful advice and astute reflections on the field itself. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been in the game for decades, this one is worth a read.
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On Choosing Science Journalism
Mićo Tatalovic (’18): Know why you want to become a science journalist
“There will always be loads of science stories that illuminate the mind and dazzle the eye, and new ways of telling them – as well as new audiences to reach, so it’s a great field to be in if you love science and love telling stories.
But be clear with yourself about why you want to become a science journalist, and what you expect from that career. It’s a lot of hard work, it’s super competitive, and many people in the field don’t have great job security nor big salaries.
You’ll need perseverance, an ability to deal with rejection and criticism, and – most likely – the flexibility to keep changing your working practices with the never-ending advent of new and different technology and new ways of reporting and telling those stories.
If you’re clear on those aims and challenges, the work can be extremely rewarding as you uncover and tell stories, inform, entertain, and educate, as well as investigate and hold to account through your reporting. So, if you like to tell stories, and love to make people think, science journalism may be the career for you.”
Jane Qiu (’18): Understand the industry, its challenges, and its purpose
“Born in an academic family, I had always thought I wanted to be a scientist. I switched to science writing when I decided I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life in a lab and when I saw the flaws in the academic systems. In a sense, I started out in science journalism without a great understanding of the industry or its challenges and higher purposes. The only expectations I had of myself were to have fun and stay afloat financially (which I’ve barely managed). In recent years, I experienced crisis moments and felt disillusioned when I wasn’t sure I wanted to stay in journalism anymore because I witnessed the unacceptable standards of some of the journalism work in some of the top media outlets.
So looking back, I guess I would warn my younger self of the hardships ahead and the fact that like all professions, journalism has flaws. A case can be argued that we do it not because it’s easy but because it’s difficult and that the industry needs more than ever good committed writers to change things for the better.”
Esther Nakkazi (’08): Sharpen your skills at every opportunity
“For those starting out in science journalism, my advice is simple: stick to the beat and continuously sharpen your skills. Science is constantly evolving, and new discoveries emerge every day. This means there will always be fresh stories to uncover and important knowledge to share. Take every training opportunity you can—science journalism is a craft that benefits from staying informed and adaptable.”
On Deciding What To Write About
Usha Lee McFarling (’93): Let your interests influence your niche
“Don’t be afraid to write about the topics you love most and find most interesting. I’m fascinated with animal behavior and even studied it in graduate school but feared early on in my career that it was not a good sell to editors who were looking for more popular topics, for example, in health or space exploration. I love where my career has taken me, but I am also excited to see the work of science writers who have been bold enough to follow their hearts, write great stories, and even make entire beats from topics that might have seemed arcane or “niche” to many.”
Steve Nadis (’98): You may find yourself fascinated with unexpected topics
“Your career, if you choose to enter this field, can be varied, and is likely to hold many surprises, as unexpected opportunities will come up that could take you to places you never expected to go. My articles have covered practically every area of science. In the last 15 years, I’ve probably written more about mathematics than anything, despite the fact that I never took a math course in college. I got onto the math trajectory in a big way after receiving an email from a physicist who told me that his friend, a geometer, wanted to write a book. I was busy at the time and almost did not follow up. But, as things turned out, I’ve already written five books with that geometer.”
Federico Kukso (’16): Never forget the audience
- “Be “glocal”: have a global perspective but never forget the problems and issues that concern your local audience.
- Never forget that science journalism (like journalism in general) has a social responsibility. In health issues, in particular, an error, an unchecked fact, can have serious consequences for the health of the population.
- Specialize, specialize, specialize: choose a topic within the broad universe of science that obsesses you to the point that your name is associated with it.
- Get out of your bubble: there is a huge world beyond your language, your city, and your country. Explore how other cultures perceive their reality. And learn from them.”
On Asking Questions of Science and Scientists
Jason Palmer (’14): Three questions to ask
“I’d tell past-me to get in the habit of asking three questions when chasing those bread-and-butter research results pieces. “Who do you think would dispute your findings here?” “In your opinion, who else is doing good work in this field?” And, at the end, “Is there anything you’re surprised I haven’t asked you about yet?” They’re good for getting either deeper or broader on the story you’re on, scratching at the dynamic in the field and often hinting at a possible future piece.”
Herton Escobar (’07): It is your job to be skeptical
“Science is fascinating and can achieve wonderful things, but it’s not infallible. It’s made by human beings and, therefore, subject to all the shortcomings, biases, risks, and caveats that are inherent to all human endeavors. It’s ok to be fascinated, but never lose sight of what you are: a journalist, not a cheerleader. Be skeptical, be thorough, ask hard questions, and double-check all the answers. Always! Even Nobel laureates make mistakes, and even the best journals publish bad science.”
Brian Bergstein (’05): Serve the reader, not the scientist
“I would tell the earlier version of myself to always remember that science journalism must be in service to the reader, not to the scientists being covered. Their preferred terminology and their preferred framing do not need to shape our coverage. Science is an endeavor like any other human institution, with power battles, politics, and competing claims on truth. Be accurate and fair, but do not be overly deferential or reverential to the field. Always ask a scientist how they know what they say they know.”
On Setting Yourself Up for Success
Madeline Ostrander (’24): Understand the field and the finances
“More than 40% of science/tech journalists are freelancers, as are about a third of environment/energy journalists. But if you choose this path, I think (a) it’s important to learn about newsrooms or magazines first. So, getting an internship or early-career fellowship (such as with The Open Notebook) is a very good idea. And (b) I think it’s important to get a grasp of certain aspects of financial and business management as a sole proprietor.”
Esther Nakkazi (’08): Find a good mentor
“Finding a good mentor is essential. A mentor will not only help you master the craft but also guide you with insights from their own journey. They can help you avoid common mistakes and teach you the nuances of navigating this unique and often complex field.
Equally important is becoming part of a community. Joining both local and international science journalists’ associations will help you build a strong network and connect with others who share your passion. With the rising challenges to mental health faced by journalists today, especially in our region, having a support system is crucial. Surrounding yourself with like-minded professionals will make navigating the ups and downs of the profession a lot easier.”
Federico Kukso (’16): Consider the big picture, and yourself
- “Although the work of a science journalist is often solitary, it is crucial that you cultivate good relationships with colleagues. Respect them. There is always something to learn from others.
- It is not bad to be a perfectionist when writing or producing an article. But there is a time when you have to “let it go.” Otherwise, you will suffer every time an editor changes a comma.
- It is often a taboo subject but always consider how much you are going to be paid for a job. Is it worth your time and effort?”
On the Future of the Field
Steve Nadis (’98): Interest in science isn’t going away
“I started writing about science in the 1970s, and the publishing industry has changed a lot since then. I was skeptical when online journalism started in the 1990s, but in recent years I’ve written more articles for online outlets than print ones. I can’t predict how publishing will change in the coming decades. It’s safe to say, however, that interest in science and technology will not diminish and, if anything, is likely to grow. That means that for the foreseeable future, there’s going to be a need for science writers.”
Jane Qiu (’18): It’s a tough time in science journalism right now, but we need you
“It’s a tough time for science journalism right now: journalism is experiencing existential threats from free but often inaccurate and low-quality online content; major outlets are closing down science desks, laying off top-notch science reporters and editors en masse, and shutting off legacy publications.
While it can be argued that it might not be the best time to be a science journalist right now, it can also be argued it might be the best time to start out because we need fresh blood, because we need talented and committed younger generations to help journalism through hard times—as long as they get into this business with their eyes wide open, rather than having a rose-tinted view of the profession. If they love science writing enough, if it’s their true calling, then it probably doesn’t matter that it’s tough or that journalism isn’t in a great state right now. At the end of the day, it’s the passion that will sustain us through hardships, which we will experience no matter what profession we choose.”
Esther Nakkazi (’08): The future of science in sub-Saharan Africa is promising
“If you’re based in sub-Saharan Africa, the future of science in our region is especially promising. The growth and progress happening across Africa present an exciting range of stories waiting to be told. Stay curious, because there is so much in our backyard that deserves to be highlighted and explored.”
More About the Contributors
Usha Lee McFarling (’93) is a national science correspondent at STAT News, based in the United States.
Steve Nadis (’98) is a contributing editor to Discover Magazine, a contributing writer for Quanta, and the author of books about math, physics, the nuclear arms race, energy, and the environment. He is based in the United States.
Federico Kukso (’16) is an independent science journalist from Argentina.
Jason Palmer (’14) is a co-host of “The Intelligence” from Economist Podcasts. He is based in the United Kingdom.
Herton Escobar (’07) is a science and environmental journalist. He is currently based in Brazil working as a special reporter at the University of São Paulo.
Mićo Tatalovic (’18) is a science journalist, news editor, and media trainer based in the United Kingdom.
Brian Bergstein (’05) is the ideas editor at the Boston Globe and co-editor of the book “Neo.Life: 25 Visions for the Future of Our Species.” He is based in the United States.
Esther Nakkazi (’08) is a freelance science and technology reporter, media trainer, and mentor. She is also the founder and president of the Health Journalists Network in Uganda, where she is based.
Jane Qiu (’18) is an independent science journalist primarily focusing on geoscience and the environment. She is based in China but writes for outlets in the United States and United Kingdom.
Madeline Ostrander (’24) is a freelance science journalist and author of “At Home on an Unruly Planet.” She is based in the United States.
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