I was an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Mass Media Science and Engineering Fellow in 1995 (during medical school). The program was truly fantastic and life-altering.
The 10-week summer program places science, engineering, and mathematics students at media organizations around the country, including National Public Radio, the Los Angeles Times, and WIRED. Fellows learn to communicate complex scientific issues for the lay public. They are provided a stipend of $8000 for the summer, plus travel expenses to and from AAAS and their media sites.
I worked at the Oregonian in Portland and had a tremendous time learning how to write and edit effectively. I also gained an appreciation for the impactful influence journalists can have on medical and public health topics. The Mass Media Fellowship is really an amazing program.
Applications for this year’s AAAS Mass Media Science and Engineering Fellowship just opened on October 1 and will remain available through January 1, 2024. Check eligibility requirements and apply here.
