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Elections Procedures

Relevant rules with regards to board positions:

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Candidate Statements

President

Michael C. Bradbury

It’s been my honor to lead NSWA as President this year, and I’d like to continue in the role in 2025. I have been an active NSWA member for over 15 years, serving at various times as an at-large board member, Vice President, and now President. I know it’s a year of tossing out incumbents, but I’d appreciate your vote to continue guiding NSWA next year.

I’m proud of the work the board did this year. We established a monthly NSWA Book Club, featuring member authors. We focused on providing more value to members while maintaining a fiscally healthy operation. We focused on building more opportunities for Portland area members, including sponsoring the Portland Book Festival. We continue to find ourselves in a chaotic time for science media and journalism with the continued consolidation and loss of newsrooms and the growth in misinformation and disinformation. As the landscape is liable to change swiftly next year, I’d like to make sure NSWA is prepared to pivot and respond where appropriate by creating a rapid response task force in addition to offering programs, support, and initiatives of value to the membership. As a freelancer, I appreciate the personal and professional connections that NSWA has afforded me, and I’d like to partner with other organizations to expand those opportunities for members.

I’m currently a freelance science journalist, specializing in climate and sustainability science. During my 25-year career I have worked in newspapers, magazines, TV, Radio, and online newsrooms. I was an early podcaster, founded two media companies, and worked in digital marketing.

I look forward to continuing to work on your behalf next year.

Thank you.

Michael

 

Vice President

Adrienne Underwood

I have had the very great pleasure of serving on the NSWA board since April 2024. I am running for the board in 2025 in order to continue supporting more programming and organizational resources so that NSWA members can gain support, friendship, and skills through NSWA’s lovely professional network.

I currently work in science communications for a nonprofit research institute focused on energy and climate change. I believe I bring a unique perspective to the board as the only non-journalist member. I have over a decade of experience in communications and media relations and a deep passion for transforming complex scientific ideas into compelling, accessible narratives.

I have enjoyed collaborating with the NSWA board and members during my brief time as a board member. In 2024, I helped organize the Bloomberg Green Media Reception with Gina McCarthy which brought together science writers from across the U.S. and helped raise funds for the organization. In 2025, I hope to continue working together to grow our vibrant regional network of science writers and communicators.

Thank you for your consideration!

 

Treasurer

Bryn Nelson

Hello, I’m Bryn Nelson, a Seattle-based science, medical, and environmental journalist and author. I’ve been an NSWA board member for 2 years and I stepped into the role of treasurer early in 2024 as a way of giving back to a professional organization that has been so supportive of me and other science writers throughout the Pacific Northwest. I’ve helped to plan a variety of membership events, from a bioblitz in a local park to a tour of a human composting facility, and I’d be honored to continue in my role as treasurer, which also means helping to ensure that NSWA remains financially strong. Through careful accounting of our expenses and stewardship of membership fees, sponsorships, and grants, I hope to help us remain in the enviable position of being able to host a rich variety of book events, workshops, field trips, and other career development events in addition to regional writing awards, career development grants, and our annual member event. In 2025, I hope to help plan additional events such as panels or workshops that will help writers and authors hone their craft.

 

Secretary

Michelle Martin

I’m a Seattle-based freelance journalist and had a blast as an at-large board member this past year. One of the NSWA offerings that meant so much to me when I first moved to Seattle in the early 2000’s, was the list of science lectures and events that came in the monthly missive. It was such a valuable tool to glimpse researcher names and topics of local scientific advances—a place to spark story ideas, or a way to find new sources. This past year I’ve worked to revive the calendar, which is now on our website, and will continue to improve and maintain it. In addition, I’d like to help to organize some craft talks in the coming year.

I have a bachelor’s degree in biology from Humboldt State and a Master’s in journalism from the University of Colorado. I’ve worked for daily newspapers, including The Boulder Daily Camera and The Denver Post, for Alaska Airlines Magazine. As a freelancer, I’ve had stories in National Geographic, AARP, Alaska Airlines Magazine and on KBCS, among other outlets.

 

At-Large Members

Kris Neely

I’m Kris Neely (Member ID 73263269), a Spokane-based science writer and author of several books on information technology, and I hope to win a seat as an at-large board member.  

My professional work focuses on AI and emerging technologies, while my extensive volunteer work centers on ecology and conservation – giving me a unique perspective on both technological and environmental challenges. 

Currently, I serve in several appointed positions:

• Spokane County Water Conservancy Board Commissioner
• Associate Supervisor of the Spokane County Conservation District
• Chair of the City of Spokane Urban Forestry Citizens Advisory Committee
• Member of the City of Spokane Tree Committee

Previously, I served on the City of Spokane Planning Commission and the Board of Directors of The Lands Council.  

As one of NSWA’s eastern Washington members, I’m uniquely positioned to help expand our organization’s reach across the INW and into Idaho. If elected, I would focus on three key initiatives:

• Encourage regular networking/development opportunities for science writers in the Eastern INW areas and Northern Idaho.
• Assist in developing an AI writing group to help members navigate coverage of this rapidly evolving field.
• Expand our virtual programming to serve members east of Seattle better.

My combination of technology expertise and community leadership would help strengthen NSWA’s presence throughout the region while helping members navigate emerging technological challenges in science writing. 

Thank you for your consideration, 

Mr. Kris Neely

 

Virginia Gewin

Since 2001, I have worked as a freelance science journalist. With a MS in environmental science, I tend to focus on agriculture, land use, biodiversity, and climate change.  In the last few years, I have been fortunate to receive fellowships from the Knight Science Journalism MIT program, USC Center for Health Journalism, and the Nova Institute for Health to report on air quality and public health, with a focus on marginalized populations. Currently based in Portland, Oregon, I write for a number of outlets, including Nature, Science, Scientific American, Civil Eats, Grist, Vox, and others. One of those stories was nominated for 2024 James Beard Media award.

I was appointed to the NSWA board last year as an at-large member and enjoyed getting to know more Seattle-based colleagues. I’m trying to figure out more ways to serve as a bridge between Portland and Oregon. Bryn Nelson and I ran a booth at the Portland Book Festival in November to share recent publications from four NSWA members. We received a lot of interest and positive feedback. I also enjoyed working on the NSWA Career Development Awards. I look forward to continuing to develop events relevant to Northwest science writers. In my role as chair of the National Association of Science Writers Freelance committee, I’m also always looking for opportunities to raise the profile of freelancers and their vital contributions to journalism.