Applications for the 2019-2020 program are now closed. Please check back later.

The Faculty of Science at York University will once again invite expressions of interest for the York Science Communicator in Residence program at a future date.

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 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 2019.

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.

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

Current resident – starting September 2019

B.D. Colen
Between his years as a reporter, editor and columnist for the Washington Post and Newsday, and his years in academic and corporate public affairs, B.D. Colen, a Pulitzer Prize recipient, has 40 years of experience in science and medical communications.

Colen, who taught science feature writing, news writing and documentary photography for 19 years at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), covered subjects ranging from the early years of the HIV-AIDS epidemic to bioethical issues surrounding death and dying and the care of premature infants. In his public affairs career, he was at various points the media affairs director for Harvard Medical School, communications director of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and for 11 years he was the director of communications for the Harvard Stem Cell Institute and Harvard University’s senior communications officer for university science.

Colen is the author of 10 published books, all on medically related subjects, including Born At Risk, O.R. The True Story of 24 hours in a Hospital Operating Room, and Hard Choices: Mixed Blessings of Modern Medical Technology.

Past residents

Dan Falk (2019) – Freelance science journalist, author, and broadcaster for Smithsonian, Scientific America, The Globe and Mail…
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