Media guides for scientists and engineers
Media resources
Learning to work with the media can be tricky. Take a look at our collection of guides, information and places to get started in science media.
Click for more to find information on:
- Media advice - how-to guides and advice for writing and engaging with the media
- Media training - where to go for further training
- Get the media to notice you - a few suggestions on what to do
- Media contacts and networking - essential contacts for working with the media
- Latest in science journalism - current issues and trends
Media advice
Media guides for scientists and engineers
- BBSRC Guide to the media
- The Wellcome Trust Guide to working with the media
- Sense about Science's media guide
- The Science Media Centre have a set of Media guides and tip sheets for scientists
- ESRC have a Working with the media guide
- NERC's Engaging the public guide
- The Guardian science writing tips series (part of the Wellcome Trust science writing prize 2013)
What are journalists looking for from researchers?
- Learn to press for success , Matt Rooney, Times Higher Education, August 2008. (Article by one of our very own Media Fellows)
- A guide for scientists on giving comments to journalists, Ed Young blog, May 2013
- Nine ways scientists can help improve science journalism, Guardian blog, March 2012
- Nine ways scientists demonstrate they don't understand journalism, Guardian blog, January 2012
- Why trust a reporter? What science writers are looking for and why it behooves you to answer their calls, The Scientist, Sep 2010
Advice for future science journalists
- BBC Academy College of Journalism provides practical advice in key areas such as how to write, report, interview, present, research stories, and get the most from social media.
- Science Writers’ Awards is a blog for fledgling science writers who want to find out a little more about what they’re getting themselves into.
- New Scientist's guide for freelancers
- 'On the Origin of Science Writers' - Discover Magazine Learn how some of the best known science journalists got their big break
- A manifesto for the simple scribe - my 25 commandments for journalists (Tim Radford, Guardian.co.uk, Jan 2011)
- University of Kent's guide to becoming a science writer
- Science AAAS guide to science writing
More media resources
Get the media to notice you |Media contacts and networking | Media training | Latest in science journalism
Media contacts and networking
Register as an expert
Sense about Science are an independent charitable trust that equip people to make sense of scientific and medical claims in public discussion. They have a database of over 5,000 scientists and work in partnership with scientific bodies, research publishers, policy makers, the public and the media, to change public discussions about science and evidence and were instrumental in the recent libel reform campaign.
Register as an expert
Sense about Science are an independent charitable trust that equip people to make sense of scientific and medical claims in public discussion. They have a database of over 5,000 scientists and work in partnership with scientific bodies, research publishers, policy makers, the public and the media, to change public discussions about science and evidence and were instrumental in the recent libel reform campaign.
They have international Voice of Young Science network, run events, debates and media training and produce publications. Registering as an expert is free, quick and simple on their EvidenceBase
Science Media Centre
The Science Media Centre is an independent organisation based in London who work across the UK to promote the voices, stories and views of the scientific community to the national news media.
The SMC have a database of scientific experts and arrange press briefings on up and coming science news so contact them if you have a story.
They also have a series of free media tip sheets and specialise in risk communication and coverage of controversial research.
Finding an expert
National co-ordinator for Science Journalism
Frank Swain is the national co-ordinator for science journalism, who can put you in touch with your local journalism school or give you further information about the media.
Journalisted
Journalisted.com is an independent, not-for-profit website built to make it easier for people to find out more about journalists and what they write about. It is run by the Media Standards Trust and searches the UK national newspaper websites, BBC News and Sky News to tell you who the journalists are and what they write.
Association of British Science Writer's (ABSW) members
You can see profiles of many ABSW members here
More media resources
Get the media to notice you |Media advice | Media training | Latest in science journalism
Media training
Below is a list of other media and communication training courses for scientists.
Media training open to researchers from any discipline
Voice of Young Science (VoYS) media workshops
Free media training for early-career scientists
Science Media Centre media training for scientists
Below is a list of other media and communication training courses for scientists.
Media training open to researchers from any discipline
Voice of Young Science (VoYS) media workshops
Free media training for early-career scientists
Science Media Centre media training for scientists
The Science Media Centre run formal media training for scientists (contact them directly)
Royal Society Media Training Courses for Scientists
Media and Communication training for scientists from all disciplines
World Federation of Science Journalists online course in science journalism
Each course consist of an e-lecture with examples, self-teaching questions, and assignments.
MRC internship - Naked Scientists
Open to UK-based students (including Masters and PhD students and recent graduates) who hold or are registered for a science or engineering-based University degree.
Open to UK-based students (including Masters and PhD students and recent graduates) who hold or are registered for a science or engineering-based University degree.
Research Councils and other funders media training courses
AHRC New Generation Thinkers
Participants develop their programme-making ideas with experienced BBC radio 3 producers.
AHRC New Generation Thinkers
Participants develop their programme-making ideas with experienced BBC radio 3 producers.
BBSRC Media Training
Free media training for researchers in the biotechnology and biological sciences
ESRC Media Training
Media training for social scientists
NERC media training
Free media training for Natural Environment Research Council-funded scientists
STFC media training
The Science and Technologies Facilities Council will pay for their researchers to take part in media training
Wellcome Trust Narrative Skills workshops
Free communication training for Wellcome Trust grant holders
Wellcome Trust BBC placement scheme
Scheme for Wellcome Trust funded post-docs to spend 4 weeks at the BBC
Wellcome Trust biomedical science media studentships
Scheme for 2 biomedical scientists to undertake a postgraduate qualification in science media production at Imperial College followed by a 6 month placement in the broadcast industry
Media training offered by universities
Most universities also now offer media and communication training as part of CPD. Contact your institution for information or NCCPE.
International media schemes
European Guide to Science Journalism Training (pdf 577KB)
Issued by the European Commission's Directorate General for Research, this 2010 guide contains details of all the science journalism training courses across the member states of the European Union, as well as exchange programmes, scholarships and other initiatives supporting science journalism.
AAAS Mass Media Science and Engineering Fellows Program
American scheme similar to the British Science Association Media Fellowships
Other
Find a TV expert offers free online media training.
More media resources
Get the media to notice you|Media advice | Media contacts and networking | Latest in science journalism
Latest in science journalism
Below are articles that highlight current trends and issues in science journalism.
Global Science Journalism Report, SciDev, January 2013
Review of impartiality and accuracy of the BBC's coverage of science BBC Trust
Submission to the Leverson enquiry The Science Media Centre
Questions scientists and journalists still need to answer Guardian, March 2012
Should science journalists read the papers on which their stories are based?, March 2012
In January 2010 The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Science and Media group published Science and the Media: Securing the Future.
Below are articles that highlight current trends and issues in science journalism.
Global Science Journalism Report, SciDev, January 2013
Review of impartiality and accuracy of the BBC's coverage of science BBC Trust
Submission to the Leverson enquiry The Science Media Centre
Questions scientists and journalists still need to answer Guardian, March 2012
Should science journalists read the papers on which their stories are based?, March 2012
In January 2010 The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Science and Media group published Science and the Media: Securing the Future.
These articles discuss the relationship of science and the media:
Why I spoofed science journalism and how to fix it (Guardian, Oct 2010)
Working with the media (Sciencewise, 2009)
Science and the Media (American Academy of Arts & Sciences, pdf 567kb, 2010)
Science journalism in developing countries (scidev.net, 2009)
The rise of blogs (NatureNews, 2009)
Live Liverpool Daily Post editorial meeting (journalism.co.uk, 2008)
Ethics of science journalism (Journal of ethics and environmental politics, 2008)
How journalism can hide the truth about science (Scidev.net, 2007)
Journalism and controversial issues (paper to the annual meeting of the International Communication Association, 2006)
More media resources
Get the media to notice you| Media advice | Media training | Media contacts and networking
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