Six journalists awarded ABSW travel grants to WCSJ2025
Three Ugandan and three British journalists will attend the World Conference of Science Journalists 2025 in South Africa with ABSW support.
The Association of British Science Writers (ABSW) has announced the six recipients of its supported travel grants to attend the World Conference of Science Journalists (WCSJ2025), taking place in Pretoria, South Africa, from 1–5 December.
The grants – three for Ugandan participants and three for British participants – were awarded following a competitive process that drew 22 applications. All submissions were reviewed and ranked by an independent Travel Grant Committee, with the final selection confirmed by the ABSW Board.
The ABSW congratulates all six grantees and looks forward to seeing their contributions to global discussions on science journalism and social justice at WCSJ2025.
Ugandan grantees
Diana Taremwa Karakire is a multi-award-winning environmental journalist based in Uganda, reporting across the Great Lakes Region. She is the founder of Indigenous Times Media, an independent cross-border newsroom focused on stories at the intersection of environment, science, and Indigenous communities.
"The WCSJ2025 offers a unique opportunity to deepen my understanding of how science journalism can go beyond simply informing audiences to advancing social justice for Indigenous and marginalised communities."
Davis Buyondo is an award-winning multimedia journalist with New Vision, Uganda’s leading daily newspaper. His work spans environmental sustainability, public health, gender, and social sciences. Alongside his reporting, he mentors emerging science journalists and promotes coverage of underreported issues.
"This grant removes the biggest obstacle [financial] and paved the way for me to participate in a high-level international conference. [...] I am truly grateful to ABSW for trusting in my potential and offering me this opportunity."
Sharon Muzaki is an environmental and science journalist whose work examines the links between climate change, food security, and public health in Africa. Passionate about solutions-driven journalism, she aims to use evidence-based reporting to inspire informed decision-making and policy action across the continent.
"Attending WCSJ2025 represents an invaluable opportunity to further enhance my ability to report on African science in ways that are clear, independent, and grounded in the local context. My goal is to highlight high-quality research from Africa and bring forward the untold, inspiring stories of African scientists, ensuring that my reporting is evidence-based rather than influenced by external institutions."
UK grantees
Dr Yemisi Bokinni is a doctor turned health and science journalist with degrees in Medicine and Human Genetics. She writes for The BMJ’s international features desk, and her work has appeared in Nature Africa in both English and French. Her experiences — from internships to clinical placements across South and East Asia, and in West and Southern Africa — have shaped her lasting interest in exploring medicine through the lenses of culture, power, and belief.
"The ABSW has shaped my career in tangible ways, from that ‘meet the editors’ session in 2023 that led to meeting my phenomenal editor at The BMJ, Mun-Keat Looi, to recognising my reporting in their monthly showcase. This opportunity continues that support and feels like a fitting way to close what has been a busy, meaningful year of health and science storytelling."
Paul Adepoju is a Nigerian scientist-turned-journalist and communications specialist based in the UK. With wide-ranging experience covering science, health, technology, and development, he has reported for leading global outlets and continues to spotlight Africa-focused stories often missing from international headlines. He also hosts Paul Talks Science, a podcast that brings scientists and policymakers into accessible conversations about discovery, innovation and the human stories behind research.
"This grant affirms my commitment to thoughtful, evidence-based journalism that reflects the universality of science and the stories that connect us all."
Rosa Furneaux is an investigative journalist reporting on the intersection of climate, health, and corruption at SourceMaterial. Formerly at Reuters and The Bureau of Investigative Journalism, she has reported from Europe, the Americas, Africa, and the Middle East. A Senior Fellow with the John Schofield Trust, she mentors early-career journalists and champions cross-border collaborations in investigative reporting.
"The conference offers a special chance to build relationships with science journalists working on the African continent and around the world. SourceMaterial’s collaborative model, in which we partner with media organisations across the globe to co-report and publish our investigations, will benefit immensely from these connections."
Registration and travel arrangements
The 2025 conference, themed “Science journalism and social justice: journalism that builds understanding and resilience,” will gather science reporters, editors, and communicators from across the world to explore the role of journalism in shaping equitable and evidence-based societies.
Registrations are still open. ABSW members — as well as members of any association under the World Federation of Science Journalists (WFSJ) — can register at a discounted rate (around £375 for professionals and £175 for students). British and Irish citizens do not need a visa for visits up to 90 days.
You'll fly into O.R. Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) — Africa’s busiest hub, with direct connections from most European capitals. Kenya Airways offers exclusive reduced fares for WCSJ2025 delegates (see here).
The airport is about 30 minutes by train from Pretoria, where the conference will be held at the CSIR International Convention Centre. Delegates can take the Gautrain rapid rail from the airport, or arrange private transfers (for example, 10% off with Ulysses Tours & Transfers using code WCSJ2025).
