Why join ABSW?
By joining ABSW, you will get access to a whole host of benefits like discounted rates for conferences, professional development and networking events, access to resources and journals, and much more (check below).
Fill out the form and set up a direct debit and get immediate access to ABSW services
Full member
£50 per year
Join now
Eligibility
You are a science journalist or a science writer working as a freelancer or staff writer/editor. Science writing provides a substantial part of your income.
Associate member
£45 per year
Join now
Eligibility
You work in a field that advances public awareness of science and technology, such as public relations, and are interested in science writing. Or, you are a science writer but this work provides less than a substantial part of your income.
Student member
£25 per year
Join now
Eligibility
You are in full or part-time education, studying for a qualification relevant to a career in science writing. Eligible for those up to two years after graduation.
ABSW advises you to pay by direct debit, but also offers the option of repeat card payments. Note the latter costs the ABSW more in fees, leaving less of your membership fee available for ABSW services and benefits.
If you don't have a UK bank account you will not be able to pay by direct debit, however, you should be able to use your debit/credit card button to pay by repeat card payment. If not, please contact us and we will help you set up a membership subscription.
Membership is pre-approved at the point of joining and ratified retrospectively within three months by the ABSW Board.
Struggling to pay for ABSW membership?
Often those who can least afford to pay, are those who might benefit most from the networking and other benefits that ABSW membership provides. If you are struggling to pay for ABSW membership then get in touch to request support.
Can you support a science writer?
Can you help support students and colleagues in financial difficulty who are struggling to pay for ABSW membership? If so, please consider making a one-off payment to cover either a full or student member.
Grow your network
Through your membership you will be able to connect with over 700 professional science journalists and communications professionals within the ABSW network.
You will also be able to develop your network to science journalists around the world through the ABSW memberships of the World Federation of Science Journalists and European Federation for Science Journalism.
Be part of a community
The ABSW organises numerous social events for members each year, which are often free of charge, giving opportunities to meet up, network and share ideas with peers in an informal way.
We also have two ABSW forums, one using Discord as well as a Google Group, so it's easy to keep in touch with other members, ask questions, get advice, and share the highs and lows of science writing.
Raise your profile
Include your profile in our public directory "Find a science writer", and show yourself to those seeking freelance writers, editors or broadcasters.
Promote your recently published books in ABSW's network and to other professionals.
Also, each month the ABSW selects one excellent piece of work written by a member to highlight in our Monthly Showcase.
ABSW Mentoring Scheme
In response to demand, ABSW relaunched its mentoring scheme in January 2023. We encourage members to consider both mentor and mentee roles; an early-career journalist might share expertise in data journalism or social media, and an experienced science communication practitioner might help someone explore a career shift from the newsroom. Applications for mentoring open twice yearly.
Join professional training and events
Benefit from our full calendar of free events throughout the year and enjoy discounted rates on our flagship events including the UK Conference of Science Journalists and Science Journalism Summer Schools.
As a member you can sign-up for special interest groups such as Feature Feast, our peer-learning group for feature writers and our mentoring scheme if you are new to the field.
Submit your work for an ABSW Award
The annual ABSW Awards recognise and celebrate excellence in science journalism.
The awards are open to all science writers and journalists, entering as individuals or as a team. ABSW members pay nothing to enter the awards as it is a benefit of membership. Non-members are required to pay a fee of £55 per category entered.
The awards are for works published within the UK or Ireland and are intended for British and Irish-based journalists and writers, or those working for audiences in these two countries.
Enjoy these and other resources exclusively for members...
... ABSW offers other professional resources
- Jobs board, grants and other opportunities
- Recordings of past ABSW events and training courses
- Statistics resources
- Podcasting for beginners
- Useful information such as suggested minimum rates for science journalists;
- And more...
Access journals
Use your ABSW membership to access an expanding directory of science journals, press releases, and news resources.
Wiley Online Library grants institutional access to WFSJ members, including ABSW members. We provide the login name and password.
Eurekalert! is ABSW’s Lead Professional Development Partner. It grants access to established staff reporters, freelancer writers, journalism students and student journalists, and PR officials.
Other journals and publishers listed include Nature, Elsevier, or PLOS.
Discounted press card
As a member of the ABSW, you can apply for a UK press card through the British Association of Journalists. The reduced rate for ABSW members is £35.
Contact Matthew Wyatt at the British Association of Journalists for the ABSW members' application form.
An international press card is also available to ABSW members through our membership of the World Federation of Science Journalists.
Help safeguard & improve standards in science journalism
The ABSW represents science journalists on issues of interest to all members, such as its 2020 submission to the Communications and Digital Committee's inquiry The Future of Journalism. We have surveyed freelance pay and continue to conduct research into the state of science journalism.
Full ABSW members are eligible to stand for election to the ABSW Executive Board, vote in the elections for the ABSW Executive Board and vote at the Annual General Meeting. All members are allowed to attend Board meetings as observers.
