events
Highlights from NSWA events, tours, and field tripsA Walk in the Woods: Get a New View on Climate Change at the Park and Pub
Rain rerouted Lynda Mapes' planned tour of Volunteer Park on June 15 to Canterbury Ale House, where she gave a talk to members and guests on her new book, Witness Tree. Mapes, Seattle Times environment reporter, discussed the year she spent living with a 100-year-old...
Science, Fact Checking, and the News
With the birth of “alternative facts” and the recent surge of interest in fact-checking the news, the pressure is high for the media and communicators to get their stories straight. The Society of Professional Journalists Western Washington and the Northwest Science...
Compelling Science Storytelling: A Pacific Northwest Workshop for Science Communicators
Thank you to everyone who joined us on April 28, 2017, for Compelling Science Storytelling: A Pacific Northwest Workshop for Science Communicators. This was a one-day workshop and networking opportunity in Seattle, with a special emphasis for public information...
Marching for Science, Walking a Fine Line
Like journalists, scientists have generally shied away from taking public positions on matters of policy or issues outside the specifics of their own work. The growing politicization of science, potentially massive funding cuts, and the upcoming March for Science are...
“Life” with Mark Owen Martin at Sundance Cinema
Members and guests saw "Life" with Mark Owen Martin, associate professor of biology at the University of Puget Sound, on April 15 at Sundance Cinema. After the movie, we headed to Blue Moon Tavern to dissect the science. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Rebecca Ferguson and...
Calling BS: How to Filter the Fake and Translate the Truth — in the Age of Big Data
In an era of "fake news" and "alternative facts," how well can you draw the line on what counts as truth? What role do science writers play in spreading or exposing spurious science? On March 14, UW professors Carl T. Bergstrom and Jevin West shared advice with...
Narrative and International Reporting with Chris Solomon and Wudan Yan
On Feb. 8, members and guests dove into two aspects of the craft of storytelling—longform narrative and international reporting—with the 2016 winners of our career development awards, Chris Solomon and Wudan Yan. The Lab at Ada's Technical Books hosted the event....
Thanks for joining us for #nswaparty2017
This year's can't-miss event for science writers in the Pacific Northwest happened on Jan. 5 in Bellevue at one of the world's biggest, most eclectic invention factories, Intellectual Ventures' Global Good and Research Laboratory. As members and...
NSWA sees ‘The Arrival’ with Richard Wright, UW linguistics chair
Yes, a Hollywood movie with a heroic linguist! Members and guests saw the "The Arrival" on Dec. 10 at Sundance Cinema Seattle. After the movie, we talked to Richard Wright, chair of of the linguistics department at University of Washington, at District Lounge. "When...
Post-Town Hall Hangout with Eric Vance
Can the way we think change our health? Members and guests met with journalist Erik Vance to discuss his new book, Suggestible You: The Curious Science of Your Brain's Ability to Deceive, Transform, and Heal, after his Nov. 21 talk at Town Hall Seattle. Vance's new...
Luke Timmerman: Entrepreneurial journalism and the world of self-publishing
Luke Timmerman spoke with members and guests on Nov. 9 about how he made the move into entrepreneurial journalism, and how he maintains his audience and model successfully. He also shared tips and advice on self-publishing a book. Almost two years ago local journalist...
Michelle Nijhuis: The Art of the Science Essay
Michelle Nijhuis discussed the art of the science essay for NSWA members and guests on Oct. 19 at Hugo House. In this evening lecture, Nijhuis talked about how to recognize essay ideas, how to report for the essay form, and how to organize your...
David Quammen at Town Hall
Yellowstone is America’s first, and arguably most iconic, national park. In his latest book, bestselling author David Quammen serves as tour guide to this national treasure, which is larger than both Rhode Island and Delaware combined. “Quammen illuminates the park’s...
Water Woes: Too little, too much, too dirty
Members and guests joined a panel on Sept. 14 for a lively discussion of issues surrounding water quality and quantity in the Pacific Northwest, and how agencies and citizens are responding to these changes. From drugs detected in Puget Sound salmon to increasing...
Explore Seattle’s historical shoreline with David B. Williams (second tour on Aug. 4)
Members and guests joined David B. Williams, freelance writer and former NSWA president, on Aug. 4 for a walking tour based on his most recent book, Too High and Too Steep: Reshaping Seattle’s Topography (University of Washington Press). This was...