J-Topics

Freelance environmental journalism: Going it alone and making it work

Apr 23, 2012 - Posted by Belinda Alzner

With little demand for environmental stories in Canadian mainstream publications, freelance journalist Stephen Leahy faced two options: Give up the beat, or find a new way to make ends meet. Paul Weinberg explains why the 20-year veteran chose the latter and how he is faring.

New media means new ways to cover climate change

Feb 15, 2012 - Posted by Belinda Alzner

Just because mainstream coverage of climate change is waning doesn’t mean people aren’t talking about it. Candis Callison, a UBC professor with an interest in climate change coverage, argues that new media presents new opportunities for covering a topic that has traditionally posed trouble for journalists because it neither bleeds, nor leads.

New resource centre for journalists covering science

Oct 06, 2010 - Posted by Dana Lacey

The Science Media Centre is a new resource that aims to help scientists and writers connect. It is an independent, not-for-profit organization that wants to help general assignment reporters access the experts and evidence-based research they need to cover science in the news (i.e. the new marine census)...

The real "climategate" scandal isn't scientific, it's journalistic

Feb 02, 2010 - Posted by Regan Ray

During "climategate" some of the declarations made under prominent bylines demonstrated professional negligence, writes Chris Wood, who thinks reporters concealed the truth and practised dishonest journalism.

Finally, help for science journalists

Dec 08, 2009 - Posted by Regan Ray

SMCC When it comes to science stories, overworked reporters often resort to rounding up quotes from duelling experts, writes Peter Calamai. Enter the recently launched Science Media Centre of Canada, which will arm journalists with information and help them cover stories with science content.

Science journalism in a connected future

Dec 04, 2009 - Posted by Regan Ray

David Secko Public health officials, academics and researchers joined journalists including documentary producer Ira Basen, the Vancouver Sun's Kirk LaPointe, Canwest News Service’s Margaret Munro at a recent conference at the University of British Columbia that asked "how and where the science journalists of tomorrow will work." Concordia University assistant professor David Secko captured some of the highlights.

Girls and math

Nov 11, 2009 - Posted by Maija Saari

When it comes to gender gaps in math, culture matters. That's what an economics professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found when digging deeper into his own observations made while volunteer coaching his daughter and her friends on an all-girls math squad for their school.
Expanding the question into a larger research project, Glenn Ellison and PhD student Ashley Swanson found the best female students chosen to represent the U.S. in international math competitions came from about 20 high schools that had elite math squads.
The top boys came from about 200 schools more evenly distributed across the country.
The analysis, as outlined in MIT News Nov 4, points to the need for further research on school environments and their influence on academic acheivement.

Science story advance: 40th anniversary of Apollo Moon Landing - July 20

Jul 02, 2009 - Posted by Maija Saari

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Apollo landing on the moon, Naturenews.com has published a web special edition. Where were you when they made that "giant leap for mankind"?

Replacing science journalism

Mar 18, 2009 - Posted by Deborah Jones

Science journalism is in decline; science blogging is growing. The Science journal Nature looks at the issue -- with a focus on the implications for science.

Science "sexy" south of the border: Globe

Mar 12, 2009 - Posted by Maija Saari

Globe and Mail editorial Thursday notes the paradigm shift in U.S. national policy under Obama to one which ideologically and financially supports science and open inquiry. Can Canada...