National Association of Science Writers

The National Association of Science Writers (NASW) was created in 1934 by science journalists and reporters. The mission of NASW is "to improve the craft of science journalism and to promote good science reportage".^[1] It has been called, "the nation's oldest and largest professional association for science writers".^[2]

National Association of Science Writers

Formation	1934
Headquarters	New York
President	Cassandra Willyard
Executive Director	Tinsley Davis
Website	https://www.nasw.org/

History

In June 1934, John J. O'Neill, William L. Laurence, Howard W. Blakeslee, Gobind Behari Lal and David Dietz formed NASW as a press association with Dietz as its president.^[3]

At a mid-September Cleveland meeting, additional charter members, including staff members of newspapers, were F. B. Coulton, Watson Davis, Victor Henderson, Thomas R. Henry, Waldemar Kaempffert, and Robert D. Potter.^[4][5] The original purpose of NASW was "to foster the dissemination of accurate scientific knowledge by the press".^[5]

In December 1934, NASW journalists interviewed Albert Einstein, as reported by the Times Union:

"This is fine society," Dr. Einstein said, as he looked about the room. He was referring to the National Association of Science Writers, which had asked for the interview. He wore a single-breasted oxford gray suit, wing collar and knitted black tie.^[6]

NASW was awarded the Clement Cleveland medal of the American Society for the Control of Cancer in 1938, "for their work in writing about cancer".^[7]

The NASW incorporated in 1955, pledging itself to "foster the dissemination of accurate information regarding science through all media normally devoted to informing the public".^[8] Leaders of the NASW have been freelance and staff reporters for a majority of US newspapers, wire services, magazines, and broadcasters.

As of 2024, the organization reported having 2,260 members, 202 affiliates, and 320 students (2,782 total).^[8]

Annually since 1972 NASW has held the Science in Society Awards "to provide recognition — without subsidy from any professional or commercial interest — for investigative or interpretive reporting about the sciences and their impact on modern society".^[9] The organization considers granting awards in seven categories: books, commentary, science reporting, science features, long-form narratives, and series.^[9]

See also

• Board of Editors in the Life Sciences
• Council for the Advancement of Science Writing
• The Open Notebook

References

1. "The National Association of Science Writers (NASW)". Scholarships.af. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
2. "MIT will be the hub of the universe for science writers this October". MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 2015-09-09. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
3. Marcel Chotkowski LaFollette (1 August 2009). Science on the Air: Popularizers and Personalities on Radio and Early Television. University of Chicago Press. p. 162. ISBN 978-0-226-46695-8. Retrieved 16 March 2013.
4. "Science Editors Organize; Group Forms Association at Meeting in Cleveland". The New York Times. September 17, 1934.
5. "Science Writers Organize". The Des Moines Register. 1934-09-29. p. 4. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
6. "Einstein Seems to Upset His Own Relativity Theory". Times Union. 1934-12-28. p. 1. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
7. "Science Writers Honered". Lincoln Nebraska State Journal. 1938-10-22. p. 1. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
8. "About the National Association of Science Writers Inc. | ScienceWriters (www.NASW.org)". www.nasw.org. Retrieved 2024-12-23.
9. "National Association of Science Writers, Inc. - Call for Entries and Rules". nasw.secure-platform.com. Retrieved 2024-03-07.

External links

• The National Association of Science Writers