The Scientist and the Storyteller Workshop: Training for Scientists and Journalists to Effectively Communicate Science to the Public
July 31 - August 1, 2025 | In-person training
The next Scientist and the Storyteller Workshop is on July 31 - August 1, 2025. Sign up below to hear about registration opening!
The Scientist and the Storyteller Workshop is a two-day intensive training using a hands-on, workshop format that will equip scientists and journalists with concepts, tools, and strategies to successfully communicate scientific findings to the public.
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Jump to: Overview | Audience and Requirements | Instructors | Scholarships | Location | Testimonials | Registration Fees | Additional Information
Training Overview
Summer 2025 dates: In-person training July 31 - August 1, 2025; 9:00am - ~5:00pm ET
This two-day intensive workshop will help bridge the gap between scientific research findings and the distribution of important health information to the public. Led by a cross-disciplinary team of experts consisting of an experienced journalist and experienced public health researcher, the workshop will integrate seminar lectures with hands-on activities to put concepts into practice. This short course will train scientists to be better communicators and journalists to be better translators of scientific information. Participants will learn how science journalists work, how scientists are trained to report their findings, and best practices for collaboration between the two disciplines.
By the end of the workshop, participants will be familiar with the following topics:
- What is journalism and how does it work?
- Newsworthiness
- The parts of a story
- Reporting
- Finding an angle
- Science writing vs journalism
- The language of reporters
- Translating research
- Writing your story
- Working better with journalists
Audience and Requirements
Scientists and journalists at all career stages are welcome to attend, and we particularly encourage trainees and early-career professionals to participate.
Instructors
Julie Herbstman, MSc, PhD, Professor of Environmental Health Sciences at the Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University. She is the director of the Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health, where she oversees longitudinal birth cohort studies in New York City. Trained as an epidemiologist, Julie Herbstman's research focuses on the impact of prenatal exposures to environmental pollutants on child growth and development. She has also been involved in research exploring the long-term environmental health impact of exposure to pollutants from the collapse of the World Trade Center on 9/11. Her work also involves the integration of epigenetic biomarkers to explore the mechanistic pathway between prenatal exposures and disease risk.
Duy Linh Tu, Dean of Academic Affairs and Professor of Professional Practice, Columbia Journalism School. Duy Linh Tu is a journalist and documentary filmmaker, focusing on education, science, and social justice. His work has appeared in print, online, on television, and in theaters. He is also the author of Narrative Storytelling for Multimedia Journalists (Focal Press). Professor Tu teaches reporting and video storytelling courses at the Journalism School. He is also a graduate of the program.
Scholarships
Training scholarships are available for The Scientist and the Storyteller Workshop.
Locations
Summer 2025: The Scientist and the Storyteller Workshop is a live, in-person training taking place July 31 - August 1, 2025 at the Columbia University Irving Medical Campus in NYC. All training start and end times are in EDT.
More information on travel, lodging, and getting around NYC.
Testimonials
"This is a great workshop for early career professionals that introduces the basics of science communication in a clear and compelling way. The combination of learning theoretical background information, hearing from industry professionals, and practicing what you learned in group activities creates a unique learning experience." - Communications Associate at CLASP, 2024
"The training provided a solid introduction to some of the complexities scientists and journalists must navigate in their stories." - Faculty Member at University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2024
"Scientific writing was always a subject I struggle with. I am glad this course gave me more insight on it and I am thankful I had fun learning!" - Fellow at Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, 2024
Registration Fees
| Early-bird Rate (through 5/15/25) | Regular Rate (5/16/25 - 7/24/25) | Columbia Discount* | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student/Postdoc/Trainee | $995 | $1195 | 10% |
| Faculty/Academic Staff/Non-Profit Organizations/Government Agencies | $1195 | $1395 | 10% |
| For-Profit Organizations | $1395 | $1595 | NA |
*Columbia Discount: This discount is valid for any active student, postdoc, staff, or faculty at Columbia University. If paying by credit card, use your Columbia email address during the registration process to automatically have the discount applied. If paying by internal transfer within Columbia, submit this Columbia Internal Transfer Request form (link to form coming soon) to receive further instructions. Please note: filling out this form is not the same as registering for a training and does not guarantee a training seat.
Invoice Payment: If you would prefer to pay by invoice/check, please submit this Invoice Request form (link to form coming soon) to receive further instructions. Please note: filling out this form is not the same as registering for a training and does not guarantee a training seat.
Registration Fee: This fee includes course material, breakfast, and lunch on training days. Course material will be made available to all participants both during and after the conclusion of the training. The fee does not include travel/accommodation costs.
Cancellations: Cancellation notices must be received via email at least 30 days prior to the training start date in order to receive a full refund, minus a $75 administrative fee. Cancellation notices received via email 14-29 days prior to the training will receive a 75% refund, minus a $75 administrative fee. Please email your cancellation notice to Columbia.Scientist.Storyteller@gmail.com. Due to workshop capacity and preparation, we regret that we are unable to refund registration fees for cancellations <14days prior to the training.
If you are unable to attend the training, we encourage you to send a substitute within the same registration category. Please inform us of the substitute via email at least one week prior to the training to include them on attendee communications, updated registration forms, and materials. Should the substitute fall within a different registration category your credit card will be credited/charged respectively. Please email substitute inquiries to Columbia.Scientist.Storyteller@gmail.com. In the event Columbia must cancel the event, your registration fee will be fully refunded.
Additional Information
- Subscribe for updates on new training details and registration deadlines.
- Contact the Scientist and the Storyteller Workshop team.
The Scientist and the Storyteller Workshop is hosted by Columbia University's SHARP Program at the Mailman School of Public Health.
Jump to: Overview | Audience and Requirements | Instructors | Scholarships | Location | Testimonials | Registration Fees | Additional Information