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absw.bsky.social
ABSW
@absw.bsky.social
Association of British Science Writers advocates and provides professional training, development and networking for journalists and writers covering STEM.
DEADLINE APPROACHING FOR MEDIA FELLOWSHIP APPLICATIONS! If you're a researcher in East England working in healthcare or science & want to improve your media skills, send in your application for @absw.bsky.social's Media Fellowship by 11 Feb 2026! Find out more: bit.ly/4r7eDBI or scan the QR code.
February 5, 2026 at 4:39 PM
Exclusive event!

♟️Meet & play with chess champion Jennifer Shahade.
In this interactive evening, attendees will have the chance to take part in a simul (playing 10+ games simultaneously) with Jennifer.

Booking is free but mandatory for #ABSWmembers
🎫zurl.co/eqrop
February 5, 2026 at 10:10 AM
#ABSWmembers #Elections

@andyextance.bsky.social has been ABSW Chair since 2020, completing his 3rd term in the role.
Andy speaks about how much ABSW has transformed his career, and how being chair was a great way to pay that back.
He encourages other members to join the Board.

zurl.co/NXEgU
February 4, 2026 at 12:30 PM
#ABSWmembers
Book Writers’ Coffee Break ☕Discord
Join us tomorrow!
📆Wed 4 Feb, 13:30

Grab a coffee and join fellow science writers, journalists, communicators, and scientists to exchange thoughts, experiences, and questions about the writing process.

🔗zurl.co/oJCxe
February 3, 2026 at 5:30 PM
⚠️Exclusive event!

ABSW members, and staff and students of @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social are invited to meet and play with chess champion Jennifer Shahade. Chaired by @alexobrienuk.bsky.social

📆 Tuesday, 10 February 2026
⌚18:30 - 21:00
📍Strand Campus, King's College London
🎫 zurl.co/eqrop
February 3, 2026 at 2:32 PM
Reposted by ABSW
Have you taken time to reflect on all you've accomplished this past year? Here are some fun and unique ways to celebrate your work: healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/01...
3 fun and creative ways freelancers can celebrate their work
Performance reviews are all well and good, but whacky parties, cheeky awards and short getaways are a lot more fun.
healthjournalism.org
January 30, 2026 at 5:04 PM
#ABSWmembers

ABSW Full and Life members are invited to stand for election to the ABSW Board.
Posts open:
- Chair
- Vice-Chair
- 2 general Board members

📆Nominations by Wed, 18 February, 23:59 GMT

💻Submit via the official online form🔗zurl.co/1whS7
2026 Nominations to ABSW Board are now open
In 2026, 4 posts are open to nomination until February 18: Chair, Vice-Chair, and two general Board members.
zurl.co
February 3, 2026 at 9:00 AM
If you are a student science journalist, why not join the Association of British Science Writers #ABSW and enjoy the benefits of membership?
It includes free booking for a #careeradvice event 👉 zurl.co/GIDmu

Join now! 🔗 zurl.co/eesa9
February 2, 2026 at 11:02 PM
#ABSWawards FINAL CALL!!! ⚠️

Entries close at 23:59 (GMT) on Saturday, 31 January 2026.
Enter now! 🔗 zurl.co/ROMvh

"What else can you do except plough ahead, enjoy the work, send some of it to awards programs and hope for the best?" - Robin George Andrews, News Item of the Year 2025
January 30, 2026 at 10:10 AM
Whether you’ve just started thinking about writing a book or are already deep into a manuscript, the Book Writers’ Coffee Break is a relaxed space for #ABSWmembers to talk about the joys and challenges of #BookWriting.

📆4 February 2026, 13:30, Discord
zurl.co/Z5uNB
January 29, 2026 at 9:45 AM
#ABSWawards

As a freelancer, Robin Andrews was thrilled by the recognition from UK peers.
His advice: "Submit a piece of work that clearly fits in with what the judges are looking for, but also one you enjoyed writing the most."
Enter! zurl.co/ZF9EM

@squigglyvolcano.bsky.social
January 26, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Reposted by ABSW
📅 Wednesday, 11 February 2026, 12:30–14:30pm (CET)

✍ Registration form: forms.gle/m4UmJb8HcBX8....

⌛ Deadline for registrations: Monday, 9 February 2026, at is 10:00 (CET).

💬Trainers: @andyridgway.bsky.social and Emma Weitkamp, from @scicommsuwe.bsky.social.
European Competence Centre for Science Communication training - 11 Feb 2026
This short taster course will help you recognise misinformation and disinformation, find reliable sources, and consider your role in tackling false information.
forms.gle
January 22, 2026 at 3:07 PM
#MediaFellows
Media Fellowships are offered through a sponsoring institution or university who fund the Fellowship for their members/employees.

If you are an individual who would like to become a Media Fellow then ask your employer to get in touch.

🔗 www.absw.org.uk/pages/media-...
January 24, 2026 at 11:23 AM
⚠️NEW INTERACTIVE EVENT⚠️

#ABSWmembers and @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social are invited to a unique opportunity to meet and play with chess champion @jenshahade.bsky.social
Chaired by @alexobrienuk.bsky.social

Book now! 👉 zurl.co/qeTyd
How to Think Like a Chess Player and Win at Life - an interactive ABSW event
A free in person event for ABSW members and Kings College London staff and students
zurl.co
January 23, 2026 at 5:30 PM
#ABSWawards
🔬The Dr Katharine Giles Award for best new academic voice

Read👀zurl.co/67Cn7
January 23, 2026 at 5:30 PM
#ABSWawards

"The judges are interested in science and technology that change lives. But we know that readers, viewers and listeners are also fascinated by stories of no apparent utility that change their attitude toward the universe." - Martin Ince, 2026 Awards chair

Enter now!🔗zurl.co/WcZp7
January 23, 2026 at 3:15 PM
#ABSWawards
🎥Video of the year

For video journalism produced for online, where STEM is the primary issue covered. The award aims to recognise content which is produced specifically for an online audience (not work intended for broadcast on a TV channel).

🔗 zurl.co/MMIli

Watch 👀zurl.co/1uyhX
January 22, 2026 at 10:30 AM
#ABSWawards
🎧The Royal Society Audio Award

For an audio programme or podcast where STEM is the primary issue covered. The award can be for a single programme or series, although only one item in the series can be entered.

🔗 zurl.co/MMIli

Listen 👂 zurl.co/klgtZ
January 21, 2026 at 5:30 PM
#ABSWmembers #LateChristmasParty🎄

One week to go to ABSW "Missed the Deadline" Christmas party.
Don't miss the chance to network with ABSW fellows.
Book your place now! 🎫 zurl.co/3VT6d

Join us in-person or online. All members invited.

📆 Wed, 28 January 2026
January 21, 2026 at 8:30 AM
#ABSWawards
📓Opinion Piece/Editorial of the Year

For written work that expresses an opinion or aims to change opinion. This includes opinion columns, editorials and blogs.

‼️Submit by PDF🔗 zurl.co/MMIli

Read 👀zurl.co/cgyKp
January 20, 2026 at 12:30 PM
#ABSWawards
💷Research Policy or Funding Story of the Year

For stories that tackle policy and funding agendas related to science and technology research.

Any format🔗 zurl.co/MMIli

Read 👀zurl.co/00r1x
January 19, 2026 at 3:30 PM
#ABSWmembers #CoffeeBreak #networking

🍵 Let's meet on Monday, 26 January 2026, at 13:30 (UK time) for the first ABSW Coffee Break of the year.
Looking forward to seeing you and learning about your upcoming projects.

Every last Monday of the month in Discord 👉 zurl.co/eLXOn
January 19, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Reposted by ABSW
📣 Nominations are now open for the #HardingPrize for Trustworthy Communication! 🏆

We’re looking for clear, balanced evidence-based communications that help people make informed
decisions.

Submit your article, video, podcast or post by 15 Feb 2026!
t.co/8iec0BZDcE
https://wintoncentre.github.io/harding-prize/
t.co
January 16, 2026 at 1:04 PM
#ABSWawards
Steve Connor Award for Investigative Journalism

For an in-depth investigation into a topic of scientific interest, leading to a conclusion. Submissions should detail any lengthy or complicated evidence gathering and any difficulties faced.

🔗 zurl.co/MMIli

Read 👀zurl.co/eOdRd
January 16, 2026 at 5:30 PM
#ABSWawards
🔎News Analysis of the Year

For stories that provide an insightful explanation of the science behind the headlines and valuable new context and background to the news. Judges look for excellence and creativity in journalism.

Any format🔗 zurl.co/MMIli

Read 👀zurl.co/DxpJs
January 15, 2026 at 3:30 PM