Northwest Science Writers Association
The Next Step: Panel Discussion and Mentoring For Aspiring Professional Writers & Journalists
Calling all students! Register for a free virtual (and interactive) career event on Saturday, January 30 and learn about becoming a professional writer and journalist.
Winners of the Best of the Northwest Science Writing Awards
NSWA recognizes and celebrates outstanding writing published by our members during the past year. And the winners for the 2020 institutional and journalism awards are …
Sign Up for NSWA's Mentorship Program
NSWA’s Mentorship Program fosters knowledge-sharing and community by pairing up people within our organization to share career advice and grow in their professions. To participate in the year-long program (Jan. 1 to Dec. 31), you must be a member of NSWA, but you can be at any stage in your career. You may be new to science writing, shifting from staff journalist to freelance writing or formulating a book proposal. You are welcome to apply to be a mentor, mentee or accountability partner.

2021 Holiday Party & Member Meeting
NSWA members came together virtually for an evening of live science comedy, peer networking, writing awards, a video tour of an indoor cannabis grow operation, and a fun talk by an experimental beer archaeologist.
Thursday, January 7, 2021
Virtually Tour Seattle and Portland’s Urban Geology
Author David B. Williams was our tour guide on a virtual tour of the urban geology of Seattle and Portland, revealing the fascinating stories in stone of these familiar Pacific Northwest cities.
NSWA + AAJA Science Trivia Night
NSWA partnered with the Seattle chapter of the Asian-American Journalists Association for a special online science trivia night via Zoom on Nov. 14. Teams tested their knowledge of arcane facts about science, science fiction, science writing, and current events.
COVID-19 Coverage and Economic Resources for NSWA Members
NSWA is supporting its members during this public health emergency by collecting resources to help those writing about the pandemic and those suffering economic hardship from its consequences.
Decolonizing Science Communication II: Indigenizing Science Journalism and Uplifting Native Stories That Matter
On Oct. 8 we held the second event in NSWA’s Decolonizing Science Communication series. Our featured speakers were Emilee Gilpin and Cara McKenna, Indigenous writers from British Columbia who have deep experience covering stories about environmental issues in the Pacific Northwest that deeply affect First Nations peoples. Their work models how journalists can address the disproportionate dominance of Western thought, values, and culture in science and journalism and help to return Native thought and understanding to debates where they have been historically suppressed. [Image courtesy of ScienceLink]
Decolonizing Science Communication: A Panel Exploring Indigenous Views on Science and Journalism
On July 8, NSWA held the first in a series of virtual panels focused on decolonizing science communication. We heard from Native American journalists and a researcher who focuses on health disparities among American Indian and Alaska Native populations. The speakers guided us in learning how to deconstruct the differences between Indigenous and Western world views and how each of those views shapes science and journalism. Their discussion included practical tips for incorporating this knowledge into science writing and reporting, and they pointed us toward useful resources for further exploration of this vital topic. A recorded video of the event is available. [Image courtesy of ScienceLink]
Because Facts Matter: Fact-Checking in Science Writing
At this NSWA-hosted event, three expert fact-checkers pulled back the curtain to reveal how professional fact-checking works and the rising challenges these defenders of truth are facing. We heard from an independent, freelance fact-checker, another who spent 30 years on staff at Scientific American, and a third who cofounded Snopes, where fact-checking is the business.
Thursday, November 19
#nswasciwire – Recent work by our members

Heisman: A Year Like No Other

Geiger: Secret Supervolcano

Kantor: A Hoot

Hu: In the Wake of Wildfires

Johnson-Groh: Origin of Elements
Are you a science communicator in the Pacific Northwest? Consider joining. We have monthly events, feature member writing and more.