Can you back up that notion that “there seems to be
little support for, or interest in student science journalism by the
professional science writing community in the UK”?
Is this from personal experience?
Julie has already pointed you toward the ABSW’s
student group. (She did not mention the fact that fees for student members are
minimal.)
You will also find that several important media places have
student internships – they even pay the students, unlike many outlets,
where you need rich parents to qualify.
Science media places also host placements for students on
science media courses.
Many science writers also spend time giving talks to student
groups. I gave one earlier this month.
Many science writers also respond as helpfully as we can with
free advice when would-be science writers seek our advice. Indeed, one person
on this list recently sought my advice on courses. My guess is that other
writers receive similar approaches.
When it could raise the funds, the ABSW ran a bursaries
scheme for students on science media courses. (Anyone with a few million to
spare might well encounter a willingness to resume such schemes.)
If you mean that publications don't fall over themselves to
publish the work of students, that is a different issue. Freelance writers also
have the same beef. There are many more words available than there are places
to put them.
I’m not saying that you are wrong. Just that a bit of
evidence might help us to do something about it.
As to “survival of the fittest”, it is called life.
What do you advocate in its place? Special treatment of some sort?
Make use of the various routes that I have outlined and you
could be fitter than the competition.
_______________________________
Michael Kenward OBE
Have words will travel
From: psci-com: on public engagement with science
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mico Tatalovic
Sent: 16 March 2010 21:26
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] Science media awards?
>
To be fair to the Guardian Student Media Awards, Imperial's science magazine
> 'I, Science' has done fairly well in it. They've finished runner-up in the
> Best Student Magazine category twice in the last five years. Pretty good
> going for a 'niche' science magazine.
At the same time the Guardian Student
Media Awards never had a 'best science writer' category, which seems a
shame, especially when you're an aspiring student science journalist...
But
then again, there seems to be little support for, or interest in student
science journalism by the professional science writing community in the UK.
Students are generally left to battle it out for themselves.. the survival of
the fittest indeed.
Mico Tatalovic, BA (Oxon), MPhil (Cantab), MSc & DIC
(Imperial)
> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:53:31 +0000
> From: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] Science media awards?
> To: [log in to unmask]
>
> To be fair to the Guardian Student Media Awards, Imperial's science
magazine
> 'I, Science' has done fairly well in it. They've finished runner-up in the
> Best Student Magazine category twice in the last five years. Pretty good
> going for a 'niche' science magazine.
>
>
> --
> Mun-Keat Looi
> Science Writer
> Publishing Group
> The Wellcome Trust
> Telephone: +44 (0)20 7611 7382
> Fax: +44 (0)20 7611 8242
> Email: [log in to unmask]
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>
> http://www.wellcome.ac.uk
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>
> The Wellcome Trust is a charity registered in England, no. 210183. Its
sole
> Trustee is The Wellcome Trust Limited, a company registered in England,
no.
> 2711000, whose registered office is 183 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE, UK.
>
>
> > From: Catherine Davies <[log in to unmask]>
> > Reply-To: "psci-com: on public engagement with science"
> > <[log in to unmask]>
> > Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:32:39 +0000
> > To: <[log in to unmask]>
> > Subject: [PSCI-COM] Science media awards?
> >
> > As the Guardian Student Media Awards have slimmed down their
categories
> > this year making prospects for niche publications rather gloomier,
Iım looking
> > for other Science Writing competitions in the UK, with categories for
whole
> > publications instead of/as well as individual writer awards. Can
anyone help?
> >
> >
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