Media coverage
1
Media coverage
Title The class of 2024: Meet this year’s ABSW Media Fellows Degree of recognition National Media name/outlet Association of British Science Writers (ABSW) Media type Web Country/Territory United Kingdom Date 13/11/2024 Description The 2024 ABSW Media Fellows have now all completed their placements with media outlets throughout the UK.
At a development meeting in London, held to discuss their experiences, the Fellows identified key points for academics interacting with the media:
Deadlines are key. You have to work to the media's deadlines - usually hours not days. If you can't deal with a media query in the required timeframe say so, so the journalist can seek comment/interviews elsewhere.
Don't go on holiday when your key paper is being published, ensure you are available to the media at that time by liaising with your press office.
Your personal story and the process behind the research finding are key to bringing the research to life.
Be proactive, pitch your research to your press office to get coverage.
Enthusiasm will get you noticed, be enthusiastic about your research area, make friends in journalism and maintain these contacts.
Keep an eye on current affairs, timing is everything when it comes to news, does a current news story offer an opportunity for your expertise?
You don't have to be the world's foremost expert to comment!
Previously run by the British Science Association, the media fellowships provide a unique opportunity for practising scientists, clinicians, and engineers to spend two to six weeks working at the heart of a media outlet such as the Guardian, BBC Radio Science Unit or IFLScience.
A range of UK institutions from Universities to professional bodies supported the ABSW Media Fellowships Scheme in 2024. Thirteen academics from these institutions and professional bodies were awarded an ABSW Media Fellowship. Find out more about them and their experiences on placement below.URL https://www.absw.org.uk/articles/the-class-of-2024-meet-this-year-s-absw-media-fellows Persons Declan McLaughlin