Mike Kenward (1945-2025): A tribute from ABSW members

Michael (Mike) Kenward (1945-2025) was an active member of the ABSW community and an ABSW life member. Long before we engaged in most of our interactions from behind our screens, Mike created groups that would allow members to be in contact independently of where they were. One of the most active ones for ABSW was what we now call the ABSW-L Google Group (the L referring to the fact it used to be a Listserv group).

As soon as ABSW members learned that Mike had died in August, memories and tributes  started dropping into our inbox. Members acknowledged discussions with Mike could become gruff but that he would always be helpful and supportive with their careers in science journalism and writing.

Here are their messages.

"Everything he did with the ABSW was to help people like us connect and develop"

Natasha Loder, health editor at The Economist and former ABSW chair (2009-2010)

Mike did the first website, this list serv, and much else besides and was the backbone to the ABSW. He could be gruff at times, but that was part of his charm—he came from an era where tough debate and questions were the warm-up to a long and meaningful connection. Cross one day, best of friends the next. Our era and our profession have always cultivated characters, and he was one of them. His true colours, though, were in his dedication to creating this community. Because it mattered to him. And I never asked him why. But everything he did with the ABSW was to help people like us connect and develop. 

I can’t believe I’m never going to run into him again.  

I personally owe everything to Mike. I ran into him at a conference as a PhD student planning on dropping out of academia and moving into journalism. What a lucky break. He gave me his card and told me to join the ABSW. So I did. And that is how I got going. I’ve got emails going back 25 years from him. One day, we can put it all into an AI and have a virtual Mike Kenward who can tick us off and be grumpy about new government initiatives in science.

"So sorry to learn of Mike's passing. His wit and wisdom will be very much missed." – Tim Reynolds, director at Inta Communication Ltd

"I came to respect his thought-provoking insights and enjoy his cutting humour and outspokenness"

Edwin Colyer, founder of Scientia Scripta

More than anyone else, the initials MK anchor me to my very earliest days as a freelance science journalist. I think of MK as a pillar of ABSW, albeit only through his contributions and interactions on the ABSW newsgroup – I sadly never met him in person. 

In the earliest days of my freelance writing, the newsgroup was a rich source of information and an excellent place to go for advice and pick the brains of my science journalism heroes. Initially, I was terrified of him – afraid that my poorly formulated, typo-ridden emails (sent via dial-up modem and the newly available Freeserve service!) would be picked apart under his editorial gaze. But I came to respect his thought-provoking insights and enjoy his cutting humour and outspokenness. He was always one of the first to weigh in on topics, especially around Public Understanding of Science debates and discussions, which have moved on significantly, undoubtedly down in part to his tireless positioning for quality reporting to wider audiences. 

My first ever published piece was in New Scientist when Alun Anderson was editor. Alun was kind enough to call me and talk me through the edits (I barely recognised the published version compared to my submitted draft). I suspect this was a legacy of MK's mentoring and strong support for emerging specialist science journalists, for which I am super grateful.

"I was very fond of Mike and have good memories of friendly mutual insults!" – Mary Rice, director at RiceConseil

"He was one member of the science writing community who found industry as interesting as academia, a big plus in my opinion"

Martin Ince, global communicator, writer and trainer, and former ABSW chair (2014-2016)

Like many others, it now seems, I had some high-quality rows with Mike. He never let them get in the way of his sometimes slightly gruff friendship. 

More prosaically, he was one member of the science writing community who found industry as interesting as academia, a big plus in my opinion. 

The list of past editors of the New Scientist is a long and distinguished one. Mike is one of the most individual and memorable of that company.

"Despite his occasional 'gruff' outlook, he was still a good listener and always happy to share his experience with others. He also had a benevolent streak that so many on this list would have experienced. One thing is sure: he is about to achieve 'legend' status in the collective memory of ABSW members. RIP Mike. You will be missed." – Sabine Louët, founder and CEO of SciencePOD