Watchdog science journalism: Practices, challenges, and opportunities
To what extent do journalists report on the dark sides of science – and how can they do so without unwittingly jeopardising public trust?
ABSW webinar Thursday November 13, 2025 18:00-19:30
To what extent do journalists report on the dark sides of science – and how can they do so without unwittingly jeopardising public trust? This webinar shares insights and best practices from a new research project examining journalists who act as “watchdogs” of the research sphere.
Ethics breaches. Fraud and fabrication. Paper mills and predatory journals. In an age of easy publishing, generative AI, over-pressured and “broken” academia, corporate abuses and increasing politicization of science, concerning research practices are in no short supply. But whose role is it to call attention to these issues when they put the public interest at risk?
This webinar will explore the current and potential roles, practices and impacts of “watchdog science journalism” — or journalism that monitors and reports on problems within the research sphere. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 21 journalists who have reported on the dark sides of science, we will shed light on how professional science journalists can keep an eye on issues like retractions and research misconduct, investigate these issues, and communicate them with audiences without damaging public trust. It will also discuss common barriers journalists face in pursuing these stories, as well as potential opportunities for supporting a challenging form of science journalism that is not yet fully appreciated but has become increasingly essential.
About the Speakers
Alice Fleerackers (she/her) is Assistant Professor of Journalism and Civic Engagement in the Department of Media Studies at the University of Amsterdam. Her research examines the intersections of journalism, health and science communication, and scholarly communication. She is also the Vice President of the Public Communication of Science and Technology Network (PCST) and a Research Associate of the Scholarly Communications Lab. She has more than 10 years’ experience as a professional science writer, with bylines in the Globe and Mail, Nautilus Magazine, and The Open Notebook, among other outlets.
An Nguyen is Visiting Professor of Journalism at Bournemouth University, where he was, until August 2025, Full Professor and founding Director of its Centre for Science, Health and Data Communication Research. A science journalist-turned-scholar, he is known internationally for a substantial body of research in various areas, including journalism for science democratisation in the post-truth era.
