Applications for the 2019-2020 program are now open

The Faculty of Science at York University is inviting expressions of interest for the York Science Communicator in Residence program. We aim to recognize outstanding science journalists and communicators and to promote excellence in science-related communications by immersing them in an academic scientific setting where they get to know eminent researchers who, in turn, will learn from the residents about effective ways of communicating science stories.

We hosted Kate Allen (Toronto Star) and Matt McGrath (BBC) as inaugural residents in 2017-2018. The following year (2018-2019), we hosted Molly Segal, an independent journalist whose work is often on CBC, and are currently hosting Dan Falk, an award-winning science journalist with credits that include Scientific American, New Scientist and the Smithsonian. BD Colen, former reporter, editor, and columnist for The Washington Post and Newsday and a Pulitzer Prize winner, will join us in September.

We welcome applications from Canadian and international science journalists in all media (e.g. digital, print, radio, television, etc.) who are currently pursuing either full-time or freelance careers, as well as scientists who are actively engaged in science communications. We are especially interested in candidates demonstrating a creative/innovative streak. The resident will not have any formal duties, but he/she would be expected to interact with faculty, researchers, students and staff in the Faculty of Science at York University, and to host talks/workshops related to science communications, and perhaps moderate a public event. The resident is also expected to acknowledge the program in work produced during their term. York University teaching staff or students will not be considered for this program.

The term of residence is flexible but must be between four weeks to four months and must fall within the academic year (September 2019 to April 2020). The resident will receive a competitive stipend, which depends on the length of stay, in addition to an office and access to the academic resources and intellectual community at the Faculty of Science at York University. While the York Science Communicator in Residence may hold other positions, they will be expected to spend a significant portion of their residence at the Faculty.

Interested individuals should submit an application consisting of the following: (1) curriculum vitae; (2) a brief proposal of residency (one to two pages); (3) three samples of science communication work (or links to such); and (4) names and contact information of two referees, who will be contacted for short-listed candidates. The proposal should specify the preferred dates and length of stay, and whether any special equipment or materials would be required, which the candidate is not in a position to supply, or any other costs associated with the project.

Applications should be submitted by April 23, 2019 to:

Sandra McLean
Communications Manager, Faculty of Science
fscomms@yorku.ca

Current resident

Dan Falk
Dan Falk is an award-winning freelance science journalist, author, and broadcaster. He has written for Smithsonian, New Scientist, Scientific America, The Globe and Mail, The Walrus, Astronomy and more. His most recent book is The Science of Shakespeare. He is also the author of two other popular science books – In Search of Time and Universe on a T-Shirt.

In addition, Falk has appeared regularly on several CBC Radio programs and has contributed more than a dozen documentaries to CBC’s “Ideas” radio show. He also co-hosts “BookLab,” a podcast that reviews popular science books. In 2011-12, he was a Knight Science Journalism Fellow at MIT.

Past residents

Molly Segal (2018-19) – Independent Radio Journalist, CBC’s “Quirks & Quarks,” “Here and Now”…
Matt McGrath (2017-18) – Environment Correspondent at the BBC
Kate Allen (2017-18) – Science & Technology Reporter at the Toronto Star