The School of Global Environmental Sustainability (SoGES) will host a panel discussion and story pitch event, “Thinking Story Like a Journalist,” Tuesday, Sept. 18.
Nancy Baron, director of science outreach for COMPASS, an organization that seeks to improve environmental science communications, will moderate the discussion, which will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Lory Student Center, Grey Rock Room 290.
Each year, Baron leads SOGES’ Sustainability Leadership Fellows in a two-day intensive workshop on effective science communication to media and the public. This year, the school welcomed the eighth group of early career academics representing 15 departments across six colleges; a total of 160 fellows have completed the training to date.
Journalists on the panel include:
• David Malakoff, Science Magazine
• Grace Hood, Colorado Public Radio
• Hillary Rosner, independent journalist & Scripps Environmental Journalism Fellow
• Jeff Burnside, independent journalist
• Katie Langin, Science Magazine & former SoGES Fellow
These journalists will debate what makes a good story from their point of view and will discuss how current events influence science journalism and societies’ conversations. They will also discuss the challenges and opportunities that exist today in journalism and comment on how they are changing.
Following the moderated discussion, and to provide insights and context, scientists will be invited to pitch a story idea to the panel of journalists, who will provide feedback and reactions. They will consider what they liked about the idea, and what they would want to know more about.
This is an opportunity to learn what journalists look for in a science story, whether you take the mic or just listen and learn.
Visit the SoGES website to view the journalists’ biographies and for more information about this event. This panel discussion is free of charge and open to the CSU campus and public.
