Abstract: Though most physicists are aware of efforts within science communication that aim to make their work known to the general public, the world of science journalism is often harder to understand and less straightforward to engage with. Presented from the point of view of a theoretical physicist who is now a full-time science journalist, this talk will offer insights into the basic behind-the-scenes rules and practices of newspapers and magazines that report on science, some advice on how to best engage with science journalists, as a source or a subject, and a recount a personal experience of building a career in science journalism.
Bio: Karmela Padavic-Callaghan is a science writer reporting on physics, materials science and quantum technology for New Scientist. Karmela earned a PhD in theoretical condensed matter physics and atomic, molecular, and optical physics from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign and their research has been published in peer reviewed journals including Physical Review Letters and New Journal of Physics. Before joining New Scientist, Karmela was an Assistant Professor at Bard High School Early College in New York City where they taught high-school and college courses in physics and mathematics. Karmela’s freelance writing has been featured in Wired, Scientific American, Slate, MIT Technology Review, Aeon, Quanta Magazine and Physics World. Their first book, Entangled States: A Life According to Physics will be published by Beacon Press in 2025.