Roberta Kwok
@robertakwok.bsky.social
Freelance science writer based near Seattle. Bylines in NY Times, NewYorker.com, Nature, New Scientist, Audubon, Hakai, and more. MIT Knight Science Journalism Project Fellow 2020-21. robertakwok.com
Reposted by Roberta Kwok
Let's write together in 2026! If you're looking to jumpstart your memoir project—or are already underway & want some support to maintain momentum or figure out next steps—this @thewriterscenter.bsky.social workshop is for you. We'll meet twice a month, starting in February; learn more + apply here:
Memoir Year w/ Nicole Chung - The Writer's Center
Work on your memoir with bestselling author Nicole Chung! This intensive workshop is open to writers working on a memoir or memoir-in-essays. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in lively craft...
writer.org
November 6, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Let's write together in 2026! If you're looking to jumpstart your memoir project—or are already underway & want some support to maintain momentum or figure out next steps—this @thewriterscenter.bsky.social workshop is for you. We'll meet twice a month, starting in February; learn more + apply here:
Reposted by Roberta Kwok
I can't say enough good things about @cragcrest.bsky.social's Book Proposal Boot Camp! I've been trying to get a proposal done for years, and this helped me get up to speed and actually writing. christieaschwanden.com/the-book-pro...
The Book Proposal Boot Camp, Winter 2026
A workshop to help you do the work. This eight-week workshop takes place virtually, via Zoom. The workshop is aimed at people who either have a book idea that needs more development or who have a d…
christieaschwanden.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:48 PM
I can't say enough good things about @cragcrest.bsky.social's Book Proposal Boot Camp! I've been trying to get a proposal done for years, and this helped me get up to speed and actually writing. christieaschwanden.com/the-book-pro...
Reposted by Roberta Kwok
Highly recommend you apply. I was a 2024 Fellow and it was absolutely transformative, with ongoing benefits like an ongoing community of writing folk!
Periplus, a mentorship collective serving US-based early-career writers of color, is now accepting applications for our 2026 class of fellows! Apply by 9/20: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
You can learn more about Periplus (including fellowship eligibility requirements) here: bit.ly/periplusfaq
You can learn more about Periplus (including fellowship eligibility requirements) here: bit.ly/periplusfaq
PERIPLUS: An FAQ
PERIPLUS: AN FAQ Updated August 2025 Hi! Thanks for your interest in Periplus, a mentorship collective serving U.S. writers who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color. We're glad you’re here. Rea...
bit.ly
August 25, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Highly recommend you apply. I was a 2024 Fellow and it was absolutely transformative, with ongoing benefits like an ongoing community of writing folk!
Reposted by Roberta Kwok
Many congratulations to the winners of this year's Science + Literature awards, sponsored by
@nationalbook.bsky.social + Sloan Foundation:! apnews.com/article/scie...
@nationalbook.bsky.social + Sloan Foundation:! apnews.com/article/scie...
Authors of fiction, poetry and nonfiction receive $10,000 prizes for blending art and science
Books about a family’s exploration of the natural world, the challenges of parenthood during a time of climate crisis and how animals perceive the planet have won $10,000 prizes for their exemplary bl...
apnews.com
January 22, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Many congratulations to the winners of this year's Science + Literature awards, sponsored by
@nationalbook.bsky.social + Sloan Foundation:! apnews.com/article/scie...
@nationalbook.bsky.social + Sloan Foundation:! apnews.com/article/scie...
Reposted by Roberta Kwok
As the LA wildfires continue to spread, we wanted to share additional resources that may be helpful during this challenging time. the Authors League Fund, our sister organization, provides emergency financial assistance to struggling writers.
authorsguild.org/news/emergen...
authorsguild.org/news/emergen...
Emergency Aid for Creators Affected by the Los Angeles Fires - The Authors Guild
As the Los Angeles wildfires continue to impact our community, we wanted to share additional resources that may be helpful during this challenging time. We want to remind you that the Authors League F...
authorsguild.org
January 14, 2025 at 4:53 PM
As the LA wildfires continue to spread, we wanted to share additional resources that may be helpful during this challenging time. the Authors League Fund, our sister organization, provides emergency financial assistance to struggling writers.
authorsguild.org/news/emergen...
authorsguild.org/news/emergen...
Reposted by Roberta Kwok
Editors, today is a good time to send science reporters to cover public health stories.
December 31, 2024 at 7:30 PM
Editors, today is a good time to send science reporters to cover public health stories.
Reposted by Roberta Kwok
It's time to apply for a Knight Science Journalism Program fellowship at MIT! We have 10 openings for a 2025-26 academic year fellowship and one opening for a one semester fellowship for journalists from Africa and the Middle East. Learn more here.
ksj.mit.edu/news/2024/11...
ksj.mit.edu/news/2024/11...
KSJ Opens Application Cycle for 2025-26 Fellowships Knight Science Journalism @MIT
The Knight Science Journalism Fellowship Program at MIT opens applications for the next class of fellows.
ksj.mit.edu
November 18, 2024 at 8:00 PM
It's time to apply for a Knight Science Journalism Program fellowship at MIT! We have 10 openings for a 2025-26 academic year fellowship and one opening for a one semester fellowship for journalists from Africa and the Middle East. Learn more here.
ksj.mit.edu/news/2024/11...
ksj.mit.edu/news/2024/11...
Reposted by Roberta Kwok
time to submit your awesome work! #SciCom
ANNOUNCEMENT: The National Association of Science Writers once again welcome entries for its journalism awards and its institutional writing awards. Submit #SciWriAwards nominations on behalf of yourself, peers, colleagues, or mentees by February 1, 2025: www.nasw.org/article... 💚🧪📝
December 11, 2024 at 6:37 PM
time to submit your awesome work! #SciCom
Reposted by Roberta Kwok
Do you plan flow/ deep concentration stints to pace yourself through the workday? Please DM me—I'd love to hear about your experience. This is for a book chapter. #journorequest
December 10, 2024 at 6:23 PM
Do you plan flow/ deep concentration stints to pace yourself through the workday? Please DM me—I'd love to hear about your experience. This is for a book chapter. #journorequest
Reposted by Roberta Kwok
Welp, the news is out. It's a gutting day for us at STAT with layoffs of 11 treasured, hardworking colleagues. I can't say this loud enough: Please subscribe/support the journalism you trust. Science writing jobs are going extinct at a time when we're needed most. www.bostonglobe.com/2024/12/09/b...
Health and medicine publication STAT News lays off 11 employees - The Boston Globe
The decision to lay off STAT employees comes after years of growth, including a significant expansion during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
www.bostonglobe.com
December 9, 2024 at 8:58 PM
Welp, the news is out. It's a gutting day for us at STAT with layoffs of 11 treasured, hardworking colleagues. I can't say this loud enough: Please subscribe/support the journalism you trust. Science writing jobs are going extinct at a time when we're needed most. www.bostonglobe.com/2024/12/09/b...
Reposted by Roberta Kwok
There's an open position for a geosciences research editor at Science. If you're interested, get the application in ASAP - it will be shortlisting soon. 🧪⚒️🪨 #geophysics #seismology #geology
Do you have a PhD and broad interests in geophysics, geology, seismology and/or mineral physics? The journal Science has an opening for a permanent full-time research editor, handling papers in those fields. See the cool results before everyone else! 🧪
recruiting.ultipro.com/AME1123ASEM/...
recruiting.ultipro.com/AME1123ASEM/...
recruiting.ultipro.com
December 9, 2024 at 3:13 PM
There's an open position for a geosciences research editor at Science. If you're interested, get the application in ASAP - it will be shortlisting soon. 🧪⚒️🪨 #geophysics #seismology #geology
Reposted by Roberta Kwok
Last month, I fell down an absolutely bizarre rabbit hole trying to figure out who was ripping off articles from Oregon journalists.
What I found was identity theft, plagiarism and an absolutely terrifying future for local journalism led by AI scammers.
My latest:
What I found was identity theft, plagiarism and an absolutely terrifying future for local journalism led by AI scammers.
My latest:
AI slop is already invading Oregon’s local journalism
The Ashland Daily Tidings — established as a newspaper in 1876 — ceased operations in 2023, but if you were a local reader, you may not have known because of an elaborate scam using artificial intelli...
www.opb.org
December 9, 2024 at 4:06 PM
Last month, I fell down an absolutely bizarre rabbit hole trying to figure out who was ripping off articles from Oregon journalists.
What I found was identity theft, plagiarism and an absolutely terrifying future for local journalism led by AI scammers.
My latest:
What I found was identity theft, plagiarism and an absolutely terrifying future for local journalism led by AI scammers.
My latest:
Reposted by Roberta Kwok
NEW EVENT THIS THURSDAY: The NASW PIO Committee is back! Join new co-chairs Lauren Quinn (@lquinnphd.bsky.social) and Gary Werner (@garywerner.bsky.social) for a #SciWriSocial for PIOs and other institutional comms professionals. See you online December 12: www.nasw.org/events/... 💚🧪📝
December 9, 2024 at 4:30 PM
NEW EVENT THIS THURSDAY: The NASW PIO Committee is back! Join new co-chairs Lauren Quinn (@lquinnphd.bsky.social) and Gary Werner (@garywerner.bsky.social) for a #SciWriSocial for PIOs and other institutional comms professionals. See you online December 12: www.nasw.org/events/... 💚🧪📝
Reposted by Roberta Kwok
First up: Botany books! 🌱🌎 Two of my favorites: BRAIDING SWEETGRASS and UNROOTED. Both weave memoir with science, and both offer a unique perspective: Zimmerman writes of motherhood and how it influenced her journey as a scientist, and Kimmerer writes as a Potawatomi citizen.
December 9, 2024 at 8:17 PM
First up: Botany books! 🌱🌎 Two of my favorites: BRAIDING SWEETGRASS and UNROOTED. Both weave memoir with science, and both offer a unique perspective: Zimmerman writes of motherhood and how it influenced her journey as a scientist, and Kimmerer writes as a Potawatomi citizen.
Reposted by Roberta Kwok
Deadline (for anything published before 12/20) is 12/20!
Periodic reminder: You can submit your own work for consideration for The Best American Science and Nature Writing. (Editors, ofc, you can, too.) Info and submission form is all here, please share: jaimegreen.net/basn
#scicomm #sciwri #sciencewriters #sciencewriting #naturewriters #naturewriting
#scicomm #sciwri #sciencewriters #sciencewriting #naturewriters #naturewriting
The Best American Science and Nature Writing | Jaime Green
Submission and nomination guidelines for The Best American Science and Nature Writing.
jaimegreen.net
November 25, 2024 at 4:39 PM
Deadline (for anything published before 12/20) is 12/20!
Reposted by Roberta Kwok
Just sharing this news over here: I'm going to be the new secretary of Periplus, a volunteer mentorship collective serving early-career writers of color. Periplus has been a steady source of joy to me since I became a mentor in 2021 & I'm happy to be able to help out more as we head into Year 5.
December 2, 2024 at 7:16 PM
Just sharing this news over here: I'm going to be the new secretary of Periplus, a volunteer mentorship collective serving early-career writers of color. Periplus has been a steady source of joy to me since I became a mentor in 2021 & I'm happy to be able to help out more as we head into Year 5.
Reposted by Roberta Kwok
Come join me for a talk about memoirs or else myfivethings.com/class/writin...
Writing a Memoir
Join acclaimed journalist and author Susan Orlean in this live, two-hour class and discover the Five Things She’s Learned while writing her forthcoming memoir, and about the approaches sure to be of h...
myfivethings.com
November 27, 2024 at 6:34 PM
Come join me for a talk about memoirs or else myfivethings.com/class/writin...
Reposted by Roberta Kwok
Check out the first episode of a SciShow series inspired by The Inner Clock!
The video was supported by the Sloan Foundation. 🙏
@riverheadbooks.bsky.social
#circadianrhythm #lighting #sleep
youtu.be/gYMaXlXLgrA?...
The video was supported by the Sloan Foundation. 🙏
@riverheadbooks.bsky.social
#circadianrhythm #lighting #sleep
youtu.be/gYMaXlXLgrA?...
NFL Teams Are Trying to Win More Games with Lights
YouTube video by SciShow
youtu.be
November 27, 2024 at 6:53 PM
Check out the first episode of a SciShow series inspired by The Inner Clock!
The video was supported by the Sloan Foundation. 🙏
@riverheadbooks.bsky.social
#circadianrhythm #lighting #sleep
youtu.be/gYMaXlXLgrA?...
The video was supported by the Sloan Foundation. 🙏
@riverheadbooks.bsky.social
#circadianrhythm #lighting #sleep
youtu.be/gYMaXlXLgrA?...
Reposted by Roberta Kwok
I was deeply disappointed by the lack of nature/science/climate/enviro on many major end-of-year book lists—so I decided to make my own!
Introducing: ✨🎁📚 The 2024 Holiday Gift Guide to Nature & Science Books ✨🎁📚
Please share: Let's make this go viral in time for Black Friday / holiday shopping!
Introducing: ✨🎁📚 The 2024 Holiday Gift Guide to Nature & Science Books ✨🎁📚
Please share: Let's make this go viral in time for Black Friday / holiday shopping!
November 27, 2024 at 7:08 PM
I was deeply disappointed by the lack of nature/science/climate/enviro on many major end-of-year book lists—so I decided to make my own!
Introducing: ✨🎁📚 The 2024 Holiday Gift Guide to Nature & Science Books ✨🎁📚
Please share: Let's make this go viral in time for Black Friday / holiday shopping!
Introducing: ✨🎁📚 The 2024 Holiday Gift Guide to Nature & Science Books ✨🎁📚
Please share: Let's make this go viral in time for Black Friday / holiday shopping!
Reposted by Roberta Kwok
If you're holiday shopping for someone who loves science, sci-fi, thinking about aliens, thinking about life on Earth, connecting to the meaning of existence in a new way, etc, you can order a signed, personalized copy of my book from my local indie
November 18, 2024 at 5:22 PM
If you're holiday shopping for someone who loves science, sci-fi, thinking about aliens, thinking about life on Earth, connecting to the meaning of existence in a new way, etc, you can order a signed, personalized copy of my book from my local indie
Reposted by Roberta Kwok
It’s important to understand that the AP is one of the very few news orgs remaining with a truly global presence.
The business model of media is collapsing, and with it the ability to maintain high-investment journalism services. One cannot newsletter-and-podcast one’s way into replicating the AP.
The business model of media is collapsing, and with it the ability to maintain high-investment journalism services. One cannot newsletter-and-podcast one’s way into replicating the AP.
News: The Associated Press is cutting staff through buyouts. Per a note from the AP News Guild, the AP is approaching 121 eligible employees with this offer
November 18, 2024 at 5:14 PM
It’s important to understand that the AP is one of the very few news orgs remaining with a truly global presence.
The business model of media is collapsing, and with it the ability to maintain high-investment journalism services. One cannot newsletter-and-podcast one’s way into replicating the AP.
The business model of media is collapsing, and with it the ability to maintain high-investment journalism services. One cannot newsletter-and-podcast one’s way into replicating the AP.
Reposted by Roberta Kwok
I am beyond thrilled, and astounded, and filled with hope—particularly in these times, with so many wonderful publications disappearing or pulling back—that the work of my two favorite publications, bioGraphic and @hakaimagazine.com, will not only endure, but grow! www.biographic.com/supportus/
Biographic Magazine - bioGraphic
www.biographic.com
November 17, 2024 at 8:04 PM
I am beyond thrilled, and astounded, and filled with hope—particularly in these times, with so many wonderful publications disappearing or pulling back—that the work of my two favorite publications, bioGraphic and @hakaimagazine.com, will not only endure, but grow! www.biographic.com/supportus/
Reposted by Roberta Kwok
Announcing a new call for pitches from @technologyreview.com! The print theme this time is Creativity. More here (including a note about AI pitches 🙂) www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
November 18, 2024 at 6:22 PM
Announcing a new call for pitches from @technologyreview.com! The print theme this time is Creativity. More here (including a note about AI pitches 🙂) www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
Reposted by Roberta Kwok
Need/want to follow some great science writers and communicators? Check out the list @jamesian.bsky.social put together: go.bsky.app/99LrhZ9
Northwest Science Writers
Join the conversation
go.bsky.app
November 14, 2024 at 8:56 PM
Need/want to follow some great science writers and communicators? Check out the list @jamesian.bsky.social put together: go.bsky.app/99LrhZ9
Reposted by Roberta Kwok
Abdullahi is an incredible science writer -- now reporting from Dakar. Give him a follow!
new 🐝 here: i’m a science writer specializing in narrative features. i currently report on the ground in Senegal & West Africa focusing on biomedicine, global health, AI, and the scientific enterprise. my stories have been published in Science, Nature, MIT Technology Review, among others…
November 14, 2024 at 8:56 PM
Abdullahi is an incredible science writer -- now reporting from Dakar. Give him a follow!