Science Writing & Digital Media
University of Chicago Physical Sciences Division Communications Office
Mentors
Maureen McMahon Communications Specialist, University of Chicago Physical Sciences Division
Natalie Lund Director of Communications, University of Chicago Physical Sciences Division
Background
The Physical Sciences Division has a rich history of advancing and defining new fields of discovery in the physical and mathematical sciences, spanning Astronomy & Astrophysics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geophysical Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, and Statistics. Eight institutes further interdisciplinary excellence. With a student body that is 55% international and a faculty of top scientists from around the world, the impact of PSD is global.
The Office of Communications in the Physical Sciences Division (PSD) seeks to maximize positive exposure for the discoveries by our world-leading researchers. We do this by generating news stories, press releases, profiles, and social media posts that highlight PSD’s field-defining work. The team also partners with central communications to call local and national media attention to this exciting scholarship.
Externship Description
Under the guidance of the Communications Specialist and the Asst. Dean for Communications, the extern will work to identify compelling stories and develop a wide range of content, including news stories, feature stories, profiles, and press releases for PSD’s communications channels.
The science writing extern will learn how to translate technical research for a lay audience to engage donors, alumni, or the general public. They will also learn to be “brand ambassadors,” using faculty research to raise awareness of important research and promote a positive perception of UChicago’s PSD. Finally, they will learn how to amplify scientific news through digital channels.
Externs gain marketable science journalism skills like how to pitch compelling leads and identify the most attractive angles to translate science for broad audiences. They meet with faculty to discuss findings, meet research groups, and tour research facilities. Professional editors coach them on story craft, journalistic fact checking, and the business of academic outreach after publication. Upon completion, they have professional work samples and clips that will enhance a portfolio and give them an edge for national opportunities and science journalism careers. Recent externs have gone on to internship placements with National Geographic, Wired, and ScienceBytes.,.
Specific Objectives
- Identify specific topics that will be of interest to a public audience (i.e., climate change, rate of expanding universe, search for supersymmetric particles, human-computer interaction, data science, quantum, inspiring stories of women in STEM).
- Identify diverse, attractive angles for each story.
- Learn how to structure and conduct interviews with our researchers.
- Review research papers and communicate complex concepts to lay readers.
- Work closely with an editor and vet work with faculty.
- Identify ways to amplify scientific stories through communications channels.
- Learn AP style and journalistic standards.
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Deliverables
The extern will complete three articles over the course of a 9-week internship. The intern will pitch, research, and draft the articles. S/he will then revise them carefully with the mentors. The extern will reach out to faculty for permission to report on their research and to request help in vetting the article. The extern will also plan ways to share and promote the articles using digital media.
Qualifications
- Basic English language writing skills.
- Comfortability with receiving constructive feedback.
- Familiarity with science news written for general audiences (e.g. in New York Times, Popular Science, etc.).
- Provide a resume and cover letter describing why this internship is relevant to your career goals.
Before submitting an application, please visit the Externships page for instructions regarding our new application platform: myCHOICE-Symplicity.