D.C. Science Writers Association

Registration Open for Professional Development Day on May 9

DCSWA’s signature lineup of professional development sessions is just around the corner. This year’s Professional Development Day will begin early Saturday, May 9, 2026, at George Washington University’s Student Center on the 3rd floor. Every spring, more than 100 science reporters, PIOs, editors, producers, and freelancers come together to improve their craft.

Coffee, breakfast pastries and lunch will be provided, and we’ll end the day with a happy hour at The Admiral.

We are excited for our slate of programming (more details at the registration site):

Register here: dcswa.wildapricot.org/event-6642704

Time	Grand Ballroom (3rd Floor)	Room 309
8:30 – 9:00 am	Registration check-in: Grab some coffee and breakfast pastries before we get started.
9:00 – 9:30 am	Opening remarks and Newsbrief Award presentation.
9:30 – 10:30 am	Keynote presentation: David Michaels, M.P.H., Ph.D, author of “The Triumph of Doubt: Dark Money and the Science of Deception.”
10:45 – 11:45 am	Go Viral or Vanish: Short-Form Video for Science Journalists & Communicators.	The Resilient Science Writer: Strategies for Career Longevity and Change
11:45 – 1:00 pm	Lunch, with the option to chat with a GWU researcher.
1:15 – 2:15 pm	Writer-Editor Meet and Greet.	Visuals in Science Stories: Best Practices.
2:30 – 3:30 pm	Science Writing and Communications in 2026: Fostering Trust and Telling Stories That Matter.
3:30 – 4:00 pm	Meet for closing remarks and a book raffle.
4:00 – 6:00 pm	Happy hour: The Admiral 1 Dupont Cir NW #420 Washington, DC 20036.

Joint Networking Event with AIP

Join us for a joint networking event with the American Institute of Physics (AIP) and the D.C. Science Writers Association on April 16 from 6-8 p.m. Along with DCSWA members, invitation is open to anyone across the AIP federation of societies who’s involved in science communications of any kind to join us for an informal evening of connection and conversation. Drinks and refreshments will be provided.

Location: AIP at American Center for Physics – DC
555 12th Street NW
Suite 250
Washington, DC 20004

Registration is required: aip.org/networking-science-writers

Professional Development Day is May 9

Save the date! DCSWA’s signature lineup of professional development events is just around the corner. This year’s Professional Development Day will begin early Saturday, May 9, 2026, at George Washington University. Every spring, more than 100 science reporters, PIOs, editors, producers, and freelancers come together to improve their craft. Mark your calendar, and keep an eye out for more details and registration information!

With your suggestions, we’ve been pulling together an amazing agenda, fantastic speakers, and a social to close out the day. We look forward to seeing you there!

Enter now for the 2025 Newsbrief Awards!

Since 2009, we’ve been celebrating achievement in short-form science writing with the DCSWA Newsbrief Award. Members of DCSWA can enter their own work, or others can nominate it. This year entries in two categories — print/digital and broadcast/audiovisual — will be judged by a panel of science writers and media professionals. Entry deadline is Friday, March 13. Learn more here.

Happy Hour with JHU at Astro Beer Hall

Join us for a happy hour with the Johns Hopkins Science Writing Program on Wednesday, February 11 at Astro Beer Hall in DC from 6-8 PM.

Address: 1306 G St NW, Washington, DC 20005.

WMATA Metro: Red line (Metro Center station) or Green line (Gallery Place/Chinatown station). No registration is required for this event.

Book Talk: Seeing Differently – A New Way to Look at Science

Science progresses as we find new views on what we already know. Two DCSWA authors recently published books that explore the wonders that happen when you take a new perspective on an old subject.

Amy Hansen, author of Wanda Hears the Stars: A Blind Astronomer Listens to the Universe, shows children through an illustrated book how a blind astrophysicist uses sound to explore the universe. James Riordon, author of Crush: Close Encounters with Gravity, shows how to see gravity in your daily life – including picturing a black hole in your kitchen sink.

We’ll talk to them about their books, how they came upon these insightful viewpoints (and how they sold them to a publisher!), and what’s next for each author. Join us for a virtual session on February 3 to chat with the authors.

Amy S. Hansen is a science writer who specializes in kids’ publications. Besides the award-winning Wanda Hears the Stars, she has more than 35 books out, including the ever popular Curious About Sloths (Amicus, 2022), Touch the Earth (NASA, 2010), and the perennial favorite, Bugs and Bugsicles: Insects in the Winter (Boyds Mills Press, 2010). Amy has also worked as a journalist for NSF and AAAS, and on many newspapers.

James Riordon is a journalist who covers physics, math, astronomy, chemistry, and Earth science. His articles have appeared in Science News Magazine, Quanta Magazine, Scientific American, New Scientist, and the Washington Post, among other publications. He is currently a senior science writer with NASA’s Earth Science News team. In addition to authoring Crush: Close Encounters with Gravity, James is coauthor of Ghost Particle: In Search of the Elusive and Mysterious Neutrino.

DCSWA Holiday Party: December 5, 2025

The D.C. Science Writers Association’s Annual Holiday Party is a celebration that connects science writers in the area for a night of good food, games, a book giveaway, and new to this year, an open mic session. Join us to celebrate the end of the year with old and new peers!

Details:
Friday, December 5, 2025
7-10 PM
Busboys and Poets – 14th St.
Address: 2021 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Book talk: Paws-itive results: How dogs help science

Come, sit, stay. Join a virtual event to explore the science of our favorite symbiotes, dogs!

Lindsay Cordero, author of “The Great Truffle Snuffle,” and Melanie Kaplan, author of “Lab Dog: A Beagle and His Human Investigate the Surprising World of Animal Research,” will talk about the intersection between dogs and science, with a special focus on one doggo profession: truffle hunting.

This event will take place online, is free to join, and is open to all members and friends of the D.C. Science Writers Association (DCSWA).

November Social Hour at Ris

Join us for a joint happy hour with local scientists and federal workers on Wednesday, November 12, at Ris from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Network with fellow science writers, local scientists, and federal workers. Enjoy reduced price cocktails and bar bites. DCSWA will provide some snacks. Closest metro station is Foggy Bottom on the orange-blue-silver lines.

Address: Ris, 2275 L St NW, Washington, DC 20037

Time: 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Joint Happy Hour with JHU Science Writing Program

Join us for a joint happy hour with Johns Hopkins University’s Science Writing Program on Thursday, September 25 at Crooked Run Fermentation from 6:00-8:00 PM. Meet new science writers and enjoy the venue’s menu, which includes ciders, seltzers, natural wines, NY style pizza and wings. Closest metro station is NoMa-Gallaudet U New York Ave in the red line.

Address: 550 Morse St NE Suite #120, Washington, DC 20002

Time: 6:00-8:00 PM

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The D.C. Science Writers Association is a group of journalists, writers, public information officers (PIOs), and audio and video producers who cover breaking research, science and technology. Our events bring together science writers for socializing, networking, science-based tours and events, and professional development workshops. The D.C. Science Writers Association is dedicated to providing a safe and welcoming experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, national origin, or religion. DCSWA does not tolerate harassment of members in any form.