Qualification Program Science Journalism

Stem cell research, genetically engineered food, electromagnetic pollution, scientific topics dominate public and political debates. Citizens want to know how their own lives are or will be affected by science. It is the joint task of the media and the scientific community to explain what modern science is all about and to put its results into perspective. With this program, the Bertelsmann Foundation hopes to enhance the quality of science journalism in Germany, facilitate the exchange between science, the media and the business sector - and ultimately foster a competent public discussion of the promises and risks of scientific research.

The Bertelsmann Foundation, BASF and the Volkswagen Foundation have conceived this joint program as a response to society's growing interest in scientific topics and controversies. According to a study by the Bertelsmann Foundation, over 60 per cent of the journalists in Germany assume that public interest will continue to increase. Particularly "life sciences" - genetic engineering, medicine, health, nutrition and biotechnology - are regarded as hot topics of the future. To find their bearings in such difficult surroundings, journalists need specialized knowledge and access to the scientific world. Scientists, on the other hand, will be expected to communicate their research more openly to the public.

The project's aim is to improve the training and education of science journalists in Germany and to help scientists and researchers work with the media. It consists of several modules including seminars for journalists and scientists, platforms to improve the communication and networking between the scientific community, the media and the business sector as well as financial support for University-based education. The program has started in 2002 and will run through 2007.

Advanced training seminars on science journalism are offered for editors and free lancers. These provide special knowledge and professional skills relevant for science journalists as well as contacts to researchers in academia and industry. Topics include strategies of inquiry, assessment of information and Internet-based research; also, high-ranking scientists illuminate their fields of research. Finally, each seminar includes a visit to a renowned research facility during which participants can practice their journalistic skills. The seminar locations are chosen to cover all regions in Germany. Following the seminars in Bremen (October '03), Ludwigshafen (March '04), Köln (June '04), Leipzig (October '04) and Berlin (April '05), Munich (December '05) the next seminars will take place in Freiburg (December 2007) and Hamburg (January 2008). In addition, we wanted to offer smaller seminars specializing on television and radio journalism. After two TV-seminars (July '06 and January '07), two new radio seminars are going to follow this summer.  Interested editors and free lancers can apply for scholarships (see download information).

A mentoring program aims to help young scientists to enter science journalism. The nine month schedule includes a basic training in journalism, two internships at the editorial department of leading media as well as a "free" research phase (participating media are listed under links). Each mentee is coached by an experienced mentor who assists in acquiring journalistic skills and provides access to background information and networks. A first group of mentees completed the program in May 2005. The program's second run has started in September 2007.

To provide young and promising science journalists with contacts to key players in science and science journalism outside of Europe as well as to highlight cutting-edge topics in scientific research is the goal of the exclusive summer academies for science journalists from leading media. The first summer academy took place in September 2005. 15 journalists representing leading German media were invited for a two-week visit to New York and Boston / Cambridge. The program included visits to renowned research institutes like the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, media outlets like Nature or the New York Times, and journalism schools, like the Columbia University School of Journalism, as well as lectures by top authorities on science controversies and journalistic practices.
The second summer academy is scheduled for September 2007 with a focus on Asia. During the "Asia Academy" (September 7th - 27th, 2007), the 15 participants are going to visit renowned research institutes in India (Bangalore, Hyderabad), China (Beijing, Shanghai) and Singapore. The program gives opportunity to gain insights into trend-setting research fields, to develop a better understanding of cutting-edge topcis like nanotechnology, biotechnology and energy management, and to obtain useful contacts to scientific experts in Asia. (This academy is going to be announced in April/May 2007, recommendation by chief of editorial department is required.)

With the conference WissensWerte Bertelsmann Foundation (together with the program partners the German journalists association (DJV) and the Bremen Fair) has established an important meeting point for science journalists, science communicators and researchers interested in the media. After the successful premiere in November 2004 in Bremen the event will be organized annually. The congress is the first of its kind in German-speaking Europe. It aims to offer a forum to share information about new development in science and journalism and facilitate the formation of networks. The three-day program includes panel discussions with prominent guests, talks by leading scientists about cutting-edge research and advanced workshops on science journalism. WissensWerte 2007 will take place in Bremen from November 26th to 28th, 2007 (further information can be found at http://www.wissenswerte-bremen.de/, see also download flyer "WissensWerte").

Furthermore, the project aims to foster the establishment of new university programs targeting at "intermediaries between worlds". The goal is to familiarize students of the natural sciences, medicine and technology with the requirements of press coverage, on the other hand to provide basic training in science for students of journalism. As a result of a bid invitation (organized by the Volkswagen Foundation), the project partners have agreed to support the development of a bachelor program in Science journalism at the Technical University in Darmstadt and new modules within the bachelor program "Science journalism" at the University of Dortmund.
Website: www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/wissenschaftsjournalismus
Partners: BASF Aktiengesellschaft, VolkswagenStiftung
Project Period: 01.07.2002 - 31.12.2007