Science & Journalism: Bridging the Gaps Through Specialty Training

As the media landscape continues to change, reporters are now being charged with the task of covering more with less. One result is that reporters without any specialty training are covering complex scientific issues as part of their normal beats. In an effort to fill the gap in science training opportunities for journalists covering various topics, organizations across the U.S. are offering diverse training experiences for practicing journalists. As these programs emerge, it is important to ask questions about their effectiveness and impact. This research assessed journalists' experiences in two boot camp style science trainings offered by SciLine, an editorially independent service for journalists based at the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Specifically, this project sought to assess the most common barriers participants face when incorporating science into their coverage, if participants felt more confident incorporating science into their reporting after the boot camp training, and what parts of the boot camp experience were most valuable.