Science Communication Skills for Journalists

Science Communication Skills for Journalists

A Resource Book for Universities in Africa

Edited by Charles Wendo
Paperback
May 2023
9781800621428
More details
  • Publisher
    CABI
  • Published
    8th May 2023
  • ISBN 9781800621428
  • Language English
  • Pages 192 pp.
  • Size 7" x 9"
$67.60
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This book has an introduction and 22 other chapters that cover science communication skills. The editor has detailed knowledge of the field and consultation with leading editors and journalists in the region. It provides hands-on guidance together with examples, learning activities, graded and ungraded quizzes to facilitate learning. The content has been tried and tested by lecturers at two universities in Nigeria and Uganda, who used it to successfully train thousands of students in science communication. Each chapter carries hands-on advice on the practice of science journalism, with learning activities to deepen the learner's understanding of the topic. The book also includes five academic systematic review papers, written by university faculty, that identify, review and synthesize available literature and experiences on science journalism and communication issues in the region. It also includes a case study detailing the experience of Uganda's Makerere University with introducing science journalism and communication into their undergraduate and post-graduate curricula.

Part I: Theory and experience
1: What is scientific research and how is it conducted?
2: Theories and models of science communication
3: Current status and future of science communication in Africa
4: Science communication in Uganda: revising a university curriculum to meet the needs
5: Thinking across boundaries: interdisciplinarity as the basis of science journalism
6: The place of science in the African newsroom
Part II: Science journalism practice
7: Working with scientists
8: Getting a story from an original research paper
9: Getting a science story from technical reports
10: Advanced technical skills for science reporting
11: Reporting science responsibly
12: Simplifying scientific facts, numbers and statistics
13: Packaging a science story
14: Bringing a science story to life
15: Interrogating science
16: Earning a living from science journalism

Charles Wendo

Charles Wendo is a science journalist, media trainer, and veterinary doctor. He has worked with CABI since November 2017 as training coordinator for SciDev.Net. His role involves training journalists on how to report about science in the media. He does this by organizing online and face-to-face training and supporting universities in Africa to embed science journalism in their undergraduate curricula.

Prior to joining CABI he worked with the New Vision newspaper in Uganda for over 16 years as a science writer, science editor, Saturday Vision editor and Sunday Vision editor. He also worked with the Infectious Diseases Institute of Makerere University in Uganda as a communication specialist for over two years.

journalism; science; research; researchers; scientists; communication; news; media; journalists; social media; radio; TV; blog