World Conference of Science Journalists
Bridging Science & Societies
A conference building global communication,
capacity & connections in science journalism
WHAT
The 10th World Conference of Science Journalists will bring together 1,200–1,400 professionals dedicated to engaging, incisive, accurate, and high-quality science journalism. The conference will build global capacity for science communication and provide an opportunity for journalists to explore cutting-edge science as well as crucial issues at the interface of science and society.
WHEN
WCSJ will take place October 26–30, 2017 with pre-conference activities on October 25.
WHERE
WCSJ2017 will be held in San Francisco, a world-class city and an environment rich in science and technology. Conference activities will be based at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in the heart of downtown San Francisco. A feature of the program is University Day, when journalists will visit the campuses of the University of California San Francisco and UC Berkeley for programming and laboratory tours. WCSJ2017 marks the first time that the conference is being held in the U.S.
WHO
WCSJ2017 is a collaborative effort of the World Federation of Science Journalists
(WFSJ) and two U.S. host organizations, the National Association of Science Writers (NASW) and the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing (CASW), in conjunction with two host universities, the University of California, San Francisco and UC Berkeley.
WFSJ unites more than 50 national and regional journalists’ associations in a global network to train, support and encourage science journalism.
NASW is an association of more than 2,000 members chartered “to foster the dissemination of accurate information regarding science through all media normally devoted to informing the public.”
CASW is a panel of distinguished journalists, science communication specialists and scientists committed to improving the quality and quantity of science news reaching the public.
For more information, see the Organizers and Hosts page.
WHY
WCSJ2017 will provide the networking, training, professional development and exposure to world-class science and technology essential to equip and sustain a worldwide community, ensuring that news about science is intelligently conveyed to a global public no matter what barriers of culture, language, education, and politics stand in the way. A special emphasis of the conference will be building science journalism capacity in Latin America.
HOW
An international Organizing Committee, co-chaired by Ron Winslow of the Wall Street Journal and Cristine Russell of the Harvard Kennedy School, is building additional partnerships to ensure a vibrant and truly global conference. Early partners include the Bay Area Science Festival, California Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Sciences, and Association of Health Care Journalists. Support from conference underwriters and sponsors will help WCSJ2017 offer a wide range of opportunities for field trips, programs, and networking. In addition, travel fellowships and education funds for student journalists and journalists from developing countries will ensure that the conference promotes understanding of the cultural and societal issues that science confronts around the world. Exhibiting and program advertising opportunities are also available.
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE THEME
Excellent science journalism has never been more important to our complex and changing world. The theme “Bridging Science and Societies” reflects the vital role of science communication and the fact that journalists interpret science in context for diverse societies. Science journalists help societies understand and respond to natural and human-caused disasters, environmental changes and challenges, epidemics and pandemics, and technological disruptions.
