Also see:
2002-Current Issue
Pre-2002 Back Issues
Article Archive
Journalists' Library

This summer, get your hands on science!

The Marine Biological Laboratory's (MBL) Science Journalism Program offers summer residencies at the MBL in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, for up to eight weeks for professional science writers - print and broadcast journalists and other science reporters and authors whose audience is the general public. Most fellows concentrate attention on the concepts and methodologies of a single biological discipline, usually through an affiliation with one of the MBL's graduate-level summer courses. Fellows are also placed in laboratories at the MBL, observing the investigator's progress over the summer and, when possible, participating in experiments. Up to five fellowships are also available to journalists who wish to participate in environmental research programs of the MBL's Ecosystems Center based in Alaska.

The program is designed for professional science writers with at least two year's experience. Preference is given to print and broadcast journalists with staff positions and to journalists at the editorial or news director level, but freelancers are considered. Advanced degrees in biology are not required, but a basic knowledge of biological principles and methods is advantageous. Tuition, travel, and MBL room and board are covered for all fellows.

The Science Journalism Program is introduced by either of two one-week laboratory courses (both demonstration and hands-on). Fellows may elect to take one of these two courses, which will be held concurrently at the MBL from May 31 to June 9, 2007. One course is designed to acquaint fellows with molecular and cellular biological techniques currently used in biomedical research. The other course is designed to acquaint fellows with techniques used in environmental and ecosystems research.

The deadline for applications is MARCH 1, 2007.

For more information and application forms visit the website at http://www.MBL.edu/sjp or contact Pamela Clapp Hinkle, Administrative Director, Science Journalism Program, 7 MBL Street, MBL, Woods Hole, MA 02543. Telephone: 508-289-7276; E-mail: pclapp@mbl.edu.