UK Conference of Science Journalists | Association of British Science Writers

In light of ongoing uncertainty around Covid-19 restrictions and the easing of lockdown, this year's UK Conference of Science Journalists will take place online.

We have extended the original one-day meeting into a three-day of workshops, keynote sessions and networking opportunities - including at least one 'Meet the Expert' surgery-style session with leading science editors and commissioners

The 2020 ABSW Awards Ceremony will take within the confines of the UK Conference at 18:30 on Wednesday 14 October.

UKCSJ partners

We are grateful to our Lead Professional Development Partner EurekAlert! and to UKRI whose support has allowed us to extend the scope and reach of this flagship meeting.

If you have an idea for supporting science journalism through this meeting, we would love to hear from you; please contact Gerri McHugh, Executive Secretary to discuss.

Diversity scholarships

ABSW is committed to increasing the diversity of science journalism and has set up a programme of diversity scholarships to help train more science writers from underrepresented backgrounds.

As part of this programme we will offer ten UK Conference of Science Journalists scholarships, in the form of a free full delegate pass to the conference.

Read more about the programme and how to apply in the downloadable PDF below.

Confirmed keynote address

The Craft of Science Writing, Siri Carpenter

We are delighted to confirm that Siri Carpenter, Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Open Notebook and President of the National Association of Science Writers will give a keynote address at this year's conference.

She will reflect on what she has learnt while curating one of the world’s primary resources for science journalists and aspiring science writers for the last decade.

In February 2020 The Open Notebook published The Craft of Science Writing, a collection of articles that distill essential lessons for science writers, from how to find and report science stories, to how to think critically about science, to how to address issues of diversity and equity in science journalism. Siri will draw out the key lessons and stories she has absorbed from bringing together all this knowledge, and how it applies to science journalism in 2020.