Packed press briefing bodes well for London

Our packed press briefing at AAAS in Chicago gives a strong hint of how keen science journalists are to discuss the future of their profession. Read all about "Science Journalism in Crisis" here http://www.scidev.net/en/news/science-journalism-flourishing-in-developing-world.html

Science Journalism in Crisis? Press Briefing at AAAS, Chicago

As a taste of things to come at WCSJ2009, a press briefing at the Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, will ask the question: 'Is Science Journalism in Crisis?

Provoked by recent moves at CNN to axe their entire science, technology and environment news staff, journalists from the UK, USA and Egypt will explore whether this is part of a widening trend.

Speakers include, Pallab Ghosh, BBC Science Correspondent and President of the World Federation of Science Journalists and Cris Russell, Freelance Science Writer and President of the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing. The briefing takes place in the Press Room, Friday 13th February at 4pm.

Julie Clayton and Sallie Robins, Co-Directors of the WCSJ2009 will be present throughout the AAAS meeting (11-15 February) visit them at Exhibition Stand 1318.

Travel Scholarships Available from WCSJ2009 Committee

The WCSJ2009 committee invites applications from working journalists (staff or freelance from print, broadcast, online) for a limited number of Travel Scholarships. These will cover travel, 6 nights accommodation (for scholars who live outside London) from Sunday 28th June to Saturday 4th July 2009 and full registration for the 6th World Conference of Science Journalists (30th June - 2nd July 2009), with workshops on 29th June, and post-conference trips to sites of scientific interest on 3rd July 2009.

The deadline for applications will be 28th February, and successful candidates will be notified by 31st March 2009.

To apply for a Travel Scholarship, visit our website:

http://www.wcsj2009.org/scholarship_application_form.php

National Association of Science Writers offer their members Fellowships to attend WCSJ

The National Association of Science Writers (NASW) has invited all interested NASW members to apply for a Laura Van Dam Travel Fellowship to the Conference.

Two fellowships, each in the amount of $2,500, will be awarded in memory of past NASW president Laura Van Dam, who died in 2006. Laura was a strong supporter of the NASW's commitment to international science writing and, in fact, helped organize the group's first meeting in Montreal in 2004. The NASW wish to encourage ties between NASW and the World Federation as a way of helping the development of science writing around the world, and also give the two selected Van Dam fellows a chance to pursue story opportunities in the U.K.

The travel grant is designed to cover roundtrip airfare and contribute substantially to lodging costs.

Those who would like to be considered for a Van Dam fellowship should send a resume and a letter, which explains:

1) How this trip would fit into the kind of reporting you are now doing

2) What stories you might do in the U.K. or Europe that cannot be done here and potential markets for them.

3) What you hope to get out of attending the conference itself

All applications should be sent to director@nasw.org NO LATER than February 18, 2009.

Please include "Van Dam Fellowship" in the subject line. Robert Lee Hotz, a past NASW president, and Deborah Blum, who serves as NASW international liaison, in concert with NASW officers, will make final decisions. Successful applicants will be notified by March 2, in plenty of time for WCSJ's early registration deadline.