Tertiary science communication/science journalism programs
Science communication and science journalism organisations
Frequently asked questions about science communication
What is science communication?
Science communication is the communication of and about science to a general or non-expert audience. Science communicators work in research institutions, universities, government, the private sector, the media, education, cultural institutions, and the arts.
They write about science, they advise policy makers about scientific issues, they talk about scientific research to the general public and the media, they teach science in schools, they build scientific exhibits and curate exhibitions… whenever you read, see or hear something about science, there’s a very good chance a science communicator will have been involved.
What sort of jobs are available in science communication?
Science communication is diverse field that encompasses an ever-expanding list of professions, including, but certainly not limited to, the following:
- Science journalists, writers, editors and broadcasters;
- Public information, media, and public affairs officers working within research institutions, universities, government and non-government organisations, and private industry;
- Science communication consultants;
- Scientists who communicate their work directly to the general public through the mainstream and social media;
- Science educators;
- Science entertainers and performers;
- Science communication researchers and academics;
- Science museum staff, exhibit designers, writers and curators;
- Science bloggers;
- Science policy advisors and makers;
- Science film and documentary film-makers, researchers and producers;
- Artists whose work explores scientific themes and concepts.
If you’re interested in hearing more about how various ASC members came to their particular field, we have an ongoing series of weekly webinars with ASC members. Recordings of those are available through the ASC members portal (you must login to access these).
Do I need a science degree to be a science communicator?
No, although it can help. Many people come to science communication from a science background – for example having been a STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics or medicine) researcher or studied a STEMM subject at university. But others come to the profession from a non-scientific background, such as journalism, editing, public affairs or public relations, policy advisor or government relations.
Do I need a degree in communications/journalism/public relations?
Not necessarily although – as with a science degree – it can help to get you into a job in the area. Many science communicators find their way into the area from a science background and learn the communications/marketing/journalism skills on the job. Others start in the marketing/journalism/communications area, then decide to specialise in science.
How do I get into science communication?
If you’re a student, you might want to undertake a university undergraduate or post-graduate degree or diploma in science communication – you can see a list of them here.
If you’re a scientist looking to develop your communication skills, you might like to check out Inspiring Australia’s toolkit for science communication, or get in touch with the communications or media unit at your institution about opportunities for work experience or media training, for example.
Organisations like RiAus – Australia’s science channel – offer internships, while there are also a number of science communication consultancies that provide training in media and science communication.
Here are some articles about launching and building a career in science communication:
- Building a career in science communication, Science
- How to get a job in science communication, NatureJobs
- Science communication: Science’s next frontier, Science
- Science communication: a career where PhDs can make a difference, Molecular Biology of the Cell
- Effective communication, better science, Scientific American
- Working in science communication,
- Setting sail towards a science communications career, COMPASSblogs
How do I get into science journalism?
While there aren’t many dedicated science journalists in the mainstream media in Australia at the moment, there are still plenty of opportunities to write about science for the mainstream, specialist and B2B media, particularly in a freelance capacity.
Here are some articles about building and developing a career in science writing and science journalism:
- A guide to careers in science writing, Council for the Advancement of Science Writing
- Being a science journalist, Knight Science Journalism MIT
- How do I become a science journalist? SciDevNet
- Getting an internship in science journalism, NatureJobs
How do I find breaking science news stories to report?
There are a number of Australian and international organisations that provide access to embargoed and breaking news in science. Check out the section on resources for science journalists below.
Science communication programs and courses
Australia and New Zealand
- Undergraduate
- Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National University, Canberra
- The University of Western Australia, Perth
- The University of Melbourne, Melbourne
- The University of Adelaide, Adelaide
- The Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
- Unitech Institute of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
- Postgraduate
- Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National University, Canberra
- The University of Western Australia, Perth
- The University of New South Wales, Sydney
- The University of Queensland, Brisbane
- The University of Melbourne
- The University of Otago Centre for Science Communication, Otago, New Zealand
- Open Polytechnic, online, New Zealand
- Courses
- The University of Newcastle, Newcastle
- Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National University, Canberra.
International
- COMPASS (*) has compiled a list of science communication training and education opportunities in the US.
Science journalism programs and courses
Australia
- Undergraduate
- The University of Queensland, Brisbane.
- Courses
International
- Tertiary programs
- The Knight Science Journalism program at MIT has a list of top science journalism schools in the US.
- Courses
- Course in Science Journalism, World Federation of Science Journalists
Science communication and science journalism organisations
Australia
- Inspiring Australia: A national strategy for science engagement, bringing together scientists and communicators to promote science literacy.
- Australian Science Media Centre: An independent, not-for-profit service for the news media, giving journalists direct access to evidence-based science and expertise.
- Australasian Medical Writers Association: The peak body for promoting excellence in health and medical communications in Australia and New Zealand through conferences, continuing education, networking and mentoring.
- RiAUS: Australia’s national science channel, promoting public awareness and understanding of science.
- Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science
- Australian Science Teachers Association: The national professional association for teachers of science.
International
- Science Communicators Association of New Zealand
- The World Federation of Science Journalists
- Network for the Public Communication of Science and Technology
- World Congress of Science and Factual Producers: An organisation dedicated to celebrating the best in science and history programs and other related genres.
- Association of Science-Technology Centers: A global organisation providing collective voice, professional support, and programming opportunities for science centers, museums, and related institutions
- China Research Institute for Science Popularisation
- American Association for the Advancement of Science’s Center for Public Engagement with Science and Technology
Other useful resources
Science journalists/writers
- Australian Science Media Centre: An independent, not-for-profit service for the news media, giving journalists direct access to evidence-based science and expertise
- Eurekalert: An online science news service featuring health, medicine, science and technology news from leading research institutions and universities.
- AlphaGalileo: A specialist science media service
- The Open Notebook: The story behind the best science stories
- Storyology: Australia’s premier journalism and storytelling festival, from The Walkley Foundation.
- Freeline: the Australian Freelance Writers network
- Successful freelancing: an ASC event featuring Australian Writers’ Centre founder Valerie Khoo, and freelance science journalist Bianca Nogrady, chaired by Ian Woolf
- Science Media Centre NZ
Science communicators
- PSCI-COM: a science communication email discussion list for the UK academic and research community.
- Journal of Science Communication: an open access journal
- Science Communication: a journal from SAGE Journals
- Public Understanding of Science: a fully peer-reviewed quarterly international journal
- Writing Clear Science: blog
- Econnect Communication: blog
- ASC guide to science communication in the media
- ASC guide for media releases
- Australian science blogs: a list compiled and curated by Dr George Aranda
- Visual science communicators in Australia: a list compiled by Karen Pearce.
- The UNSW Medal for Science Communication, and Scientia Lecture