Transforming your research into news to reach broader audiences
A workshop on science communication with Kathy Kohm, Editor in Chief of Anthropocene Magazine, and David Malakoff, Deputy News Editor for Science Magazine.
Great! Your findings are published in a peer-reviewed journal. Now, how do you make them more accessible and reach a broader audience?
Join this expert duo of editors in a workshop that will share time-tested techniques for distilling and transforming a specific piece of work into a:
- Persuasive piece of writing, such as newspaper op-ed that argues for a particular policy or action
- Q&A or explanatory memo
- Story pitch to a reporter or editor
In this online workshop, participants will get hands-on experience crafting key elements of a news piece based on their own research or area of interest. One of the keys to reaching a broader audience is skillfully framing a topic, recommendation, or discovery. This doesn’t mean sacrificing accuracy; rather, it requires putting science in the context of people’s interests, concerns, or everyday lives. To that end, we’ll focus on writing “made-you-look” titles and subtitles that can catch the attention of distracted browsers, and opening paragraphs that reel them in.
We’ll bring lots of examples. You should bring a recent research paper or science document that you would like to reach a broader readership.
The workshop is open to all SRI2021 registrants, and is capped at 20 participants. Researchers, industry experts, students – innovators in any sustainability-related field interested in increasing their audience, reach and impact – should attend! All applicants will be required to submit their research abstract at the time of registration, and applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Apply by May 23 to secure your spot in this expert workshop!
This training will take place on Wednesday, June 2nd at 09:00 – 10:30 AEST (Brisbane). 09:00 AEST is 07:00 CST or 08:00 JST, or Tuesday, June 1st at 17:00 MT or 19:00 EDT.
Speakers
Kathryn Kohm
Editor in Chief, Anthropocene Magazine
Kathryn Kohm is an editor, designer, and entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in environmental media. She is currently the Editor-in-Chief of Anthropocene, the premier magazine of Future Earth. From 1999-2016, she was the founding editor of Conservation magazine, from which Anthropocene evolved. She has also edited several books, including “Balancing on the Brink of Extinction,” and “Creating a Forestry for the 21st Century.” There’s an equation on a slip of paper pinned above her desk that neatly captures her editorial ambitions: Surprise + Clarity = Delight.
David Malakof
Deputy News Editor, Science Magazine
David Malakoff is a Deputy News Editor at Science, where he coordinates coverage of science policy, politics, energy and the environment. He also edits the ScienceInsider online news service. He has worked as a senior editor and correspondent on NPR’s Science Desk and contributed to a wide range of outlets during his 30+ years in journalism. An avid birder and whitewater kayaker, he lives in the Washington, D.C. area.