Science Writing & Social Media

University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center

Mentors

Jane Kollmer Director for Communications, UCCCC

Background

The University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center has been at the forefront of cancer care and discovery for more than 50 years. Many of the roots of chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, gene therapy, and bone marrow transplantation can be traced back to the Cancer Center. More than 200 physician scientists are conducting basic, clinical and translational research to study cancer from all angles, enabling the incorporation of personalized medicine into routine care. The Cancer Center is one of only 51 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, a distinction that denotes scientific excellence, as well as discovery and development of effective approaches to cancer risk assessment, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. The UCCCC’s communications team support its mission and tell its stories through various platforms, including a website, social media, publications (annual report and magazine) and newsletters.

Internship Description

The intern will learn the broad outlines of communications and social media while also developing a series of scientifically based blog posts/feature stories/articles for various audiences. Through the internship, s/he will understand how to research, evaluate, and write for a prospective audience, recognize the considerations of representing the UCCCC to a public audience, and become more confident in his or her scientific writing ability.

Expectations

  • Writing: The intern will write 2-3 articles for the UCCCC’s publications and website over the course of the 10-week internship. S/he will research and draft these articles and revise them together with the mentor. The intern will reach out to faculty to ask permission to report on their research and request their help in vetting the article after it has been fully vetted by the mentor. The objective of this project is to learn to communicate scientific advances using language and style suited for the general public and to gain ease in interviewing scientific leaders in the process.
  • Social Media and Digital Strategy: S/he will learn about sharing digital content on social media and how to craft a post for different platforms including Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. From sourcing public domain images to using the right hashtag to tracking post success through Google analytics, s/he will gain a better understanding of how to publish and promote content in the digital age.

Specific Objectives

  • Learn the skills needed to create and promote digital content including the essential components of online publishing and social media best practices.
  • Start cultivating a writing portfolio by contributing articles to UCCCC and UChicago Medicine publications such as Pathways and At the Forefront, as well as local blogs and news outlets.
  • Understand the process of scientific writing: how to pitch, research, write, and vet articles on primary scientific research.
  • Generate articles and/or infographics focused on public education, including topics such as mitigating cancer risk and joining clinical trials.
  • Learn how to use digital tactics like social media, website and/or videos to promote the mission of a larger organization by producing content, quantifying metrics, and optimizing engagement across platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and MailChimp.
  • Learn how to target content to a variety of audiences, including scientists, physicians, reporters, and patients.
  • Expand knowledge of cancer biology and ongoing research areas at the UCCCC by attending seminars, reading publications, etc.
  • Expand knowledge of connections between cancer research and policy at the state and federal level, such as tobacco cessation programs, etc.

Qualifications

​Candidates should have basic writing skills, preferably an interest in science and/or healthcare, and be interested in receiving constructive feedback on writing and other communications assignments.

Before submitting an application, please visit the Externships page for instructions regarding our new application platform: myCHOICE-Symplicity. 

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