Career in Science Journalism

 Science and Technology have become an inseparable part of our daily life; hence creation of scientific awareness has now become the need of hour.  The aim of science communication is to engage and inspire people of all ages with science, engineering and technology. One of the basic objectives of communicating science is to spread the message of importance of science and its application among the people.  Science communication attempts at generating scientific minded citizens. Science has contributed a great deal for human welfare. On issues ranging from environment, disease eradication,  space exploration, energy security, information highway to name a few, science and technology has immensely benefited mankind. Biotechnology is making a major impact on agriculture, health, environment, industry and pharmaceuticals. Communication at lower costs, with greater accessibility, is another product of science and technology. Science communication helps in inculcating scientific temper among school children. It gives them opportunity of learning and experiencing science in fun way by actual participation in various hands on activities. The daily application of science like the use of safe drinking water, recycling of grey water, taking balanced diet, knowledge to eradicate contagious disease, the know-how of various agricultural practices to increase crop production, the usefulness of biodiversity conservation, etc., should be disseminated to the future generation. The goal of science journalism is to develop scientific temper and environmental sensibilities in common people. A dissemination of scientific facts could be done by any journalist using Wikipedia and other resources. But shaping the mindset of layperson cannot be achieved without proper training.  The following training programmes are available in India for science journalists.

National Council for Science and Technology Communication offers a one week course on skill enhancement of promising science writers and three months course on use of mass media for science popularization. NCSTC and Indian Science Communication Society (ISCOS), Lucknow has jointly undertaken a program to train science communicators, writers, and journalists in presenting scientific information in educating and entertaining manner.  ISCOS offers a one year training program in Science  Journalism through Distance Education mode.

Devi Ahilya University, Indore offers two programs. M. Sc.  and PG Diploma in Science Communication.    They are also planning to start a doctoral program in Science Communication. PG Diploma in Science Communication is offered through Distance Education mode. This is a two semester course.

The Institute of Mass Communication in Science and Technology, Lucknow University, is also running a similar course – M. Sc Mass Communication in Science. It is also a two-year full-time regular programme funded by the NCSTC.

 Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication, Bhopal has also started a one-year PG Diploma in Science and Technology Journalism.

 Madurai Kamraj University too offers an NCSTC-funded PG Diploma in Science Communication.

The National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources (NISCAIR), CSIR, New Delhi organizes short-term science-writing training workshops.

Centre for Science Education and Communication Delhi University is involved in short term training and workshops related with science education and communication.

National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), an autonomous scientific and research organization under Ministry of Culture has also started a four semester M.S. course in Science Communication from 2005. NCSM’s MS course is meant for first class engineering graduates and science post graduates. Course contents include history and philosophy of science, mass communication, exhibit presentation and museum management. Course also includes the tools of Science Communication and writing scientific articles. The final content of the course is a dissertation. This program is conducted in joint collaboration of NCSM and BITS, Pilani on an off campus mode. The lectures and tutorials are held at NCSM, Kolkata.

                Career Prospect exists in mainstream media viz., Print (Newspapers, Periodicals, and House Journals), Broadcast media (Radio & Television) and organizations engaged in Science and Technology extension and outreach activities like NCSTC, NCSM, NISCAIR, HBCSE, Vigyanprasar and state councils of Science and Technology etc. Magzines like Down to earth, Teraagreen, science reporter, Hindu Survey on Environment specialize in science technology and environment. Science Journalists interested in making scientific documentary and CD can develop programme for Vigyan Prasar, National Geographic and Discovery etc. Training in science communication would also provide opportunities as curators of science museums. At present there are 27 science museums/centres under NCSM. There is proposal of setting district level science centres. Science centres along with Science and Technology Parks are great tool of informal education of masses. Large numbers of private sector companies and corporate houses are also setting up science museums and technology parks as part of their corporate social responsibility thereby increasing the demand of science communicators.