POSTPONED! Resilience for science journalists workshop
The event was postponed. ABSW is restructuring it to make it more accessible. More news to follow soon. Stay tuned!
Science journalists today are increasingly working on stories that spark debate and division - whether covering vaccines, climate change, or genetically modified food. In a fast-moving digital landscape, they must not only meet tight deadlines but also navigate confrontational social media environments, often when reporting on emotionally charged issues. So how can journalists stay resilient and continue to do their best work under pressure?
This interactive training workshop, organised by the ABSW and the Science Communication Unit at UWE Bristol, is designed to help participants build the skills and confidence needed to manage these challenges - and thrive.
John Crowley and Hannah Storm of Headlines Network will lead practical sessions on developing and sustaining resilience in the face of both online and workplace pressures. Dr Andy Ridgway, Senior Lecturer at UWE Bristol and ABSW Board member, will share insights from new research on workplace and online harassment experienced by science journalists.
Participants will also collaborate to co-create a practical guide for navigating challenging online environments in an increasingly polarised world. This guide will be published by the ABSW and UWE Bristol’s Science Communication Unit, providing ongoing support for science journalists beyond the workshop.
Date: Thursday, May 7, 2026 (In Person Only)
Please note this is election day for many local councils, mayors, etc. Do ensure you get your vote in before or after the event, or arrange for a postal vote.
Time: 10:00-16:00
Venue: Nature, The Campus, 4 Crinian Street, London, N1 9NX
Organised by the ABSW and the University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol’s Science Communication Unit, UK Hub of the European Competence Centre for Science Communication
Booking essential. For tickets, scroll down.
If you would like to attend but are having difficulty covering the cost of the workshop or travel to attend, please get in touch at [email protected].
Workshop Programme
| Time | Activity | Leaders |
| 10:00-10:30 | Arrival and refreshments | |
| 10:30-11:15 | Welcome from the ABSW and overview of the day – including insights from the ABSW/UWE Science Communication Unit survey into workplace and online harassment. Participants will be invited to suggest the most useful resources for ABSW to create to address issues highlighted in the survey. | Andy Ridgway |
| 11:15-11:30 | Nature's approach to supporting staff reslience | Nature staff member (TBC) |
| 11:30-12:00 | Coffee Break | |
| 12:00-13:00 | Resilience training Part 1: Navigating challenging online and workplace environments | John Crowley and Hannah Storm |
| 13:00-13:45 | Lunch Break | |
| 13:45-14:15 | Resilience training Part 2: Navigating challenging online and workplace environments | John Crowley and Hannah Storm |
| 14:15-14:45 | Workshop part 1: What works for you? Sharing effective approaches to dealing with a challenging online environment – ideas and experiences. | Andy Ridgway |
| 14:45-15:15 | Tea Break | |
| 15:15-15:55 | Workshop part 2: Co-creating a user-friendly guide to dealing with challenging online environments for science journalists and writers. | Andy Ridgway |
| 15:55-16:00 | Wrap up and next steps | Andy Ridgway |
Your workshop leaders and trainers
John Crowley, Director, Headlines Network
John is an editor, trainer and consultant with 20 years of journalistic experience managing newsrooms and budgets across a variety of titles. After taking on digital and leadership roles for The Daily Telegraph, The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek and The Irish Post, he now writes across subjects including technology, business, newsroom management and sustainability. John, who is regularly asked to speak on the subject of wellbeing in newsrooms, is a trained mental health first aider with MHFA England In November 2020, he co-published a report into wellbeing entitled ‘Journalism in the Time of Covid’.
Hannah Storm, Founder and Director, Headlines Network
Hannah is the founder of Headlines. A media expert, trainer and thought leader, with global connections, she brings vision, values and empathy and an expertise in journalism safety, mental health, gender and media ethics.
She is the former director of the International News Safety Institute and the Ethical Journalism Network, a sought-after speaker, facilitator, trainer and writer. Hannah co-authored the first study into moral injury and the media for the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism with Professor Anthony Feinstein and has written extensively at the intersection of gender, mental health, physical and online safety. She brings deep-rooted research, practical experience and personal understanding to convene conversations at an industry level to explore challenges and create collaborative solutions to bring change to journalism communities and practice. She is also a qualified Mental Health First Aider with MHFA England.
Andy Ridgway, Senior Lecturer in Science Communicaition UWE
Andy Ridgway is a former Deputy Editor of BBC Science Focus and he continues to write, his work appearing in Focus, New Scientist, The Economist and Men's Health. He is a Senior Lecturer in Science Communication at the University of the West of England in Bristol and programme leader of their internationally renowned MSc in Science Communication. He was UWE's Principal Investigator on the Europe-wide online science communication research project RETHINK, which considered current challenges such as misinformation and trust. Andy has spent several years as a member of the judging team of the Max Perutz Science Writing Award run by the Medical Research Council. Andy is also a member of the ABSW Board.
