A No-Cost Online Course Presented by Scientific American and the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University, with Support from The Kavli Foundation.

“If I understood you would I have this look on my face?” Alan Alda asks in his latest book. If you’re a scientist you have undoubtedly seen that uncomprehending expression while trying to explain a bit of research in terms that you believed were straightforward and engaging.

Expert voices are needed more than ever in conversations of national and global import—whether they’re about the inherent charm and fascination of the natural world or about creating sound, scientifically informed public policy.

To help more scientists to share their expertise with the public the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science, Scientific American and the Kavli Foundation are launching a no-cost online course on blogging and op-ed writing for magazines, newspapers and other news outlets. 

"When we help scientists to be more open, they begin to talk about their work in a deeply personal way. And people want to hear the personal stories behind the research. What happened in those difficult moments in the small hours of the morning? That's the part we can connect to," comments Alda. "Our Alda Center team is excited to partner with Scientific American to develop a blogging course that will produce a new cohort of excellent science storytellers. I can't wait to see what they come up with."

Open to everyone from post-docs to PIs, the course will teach students the elements of blogging and op-ed writing—from which topics and angles make for interesting posts to clear and concise writing that conveys the knowledge and passion of scientists in diverse fields. The 10-week course includes live, interactive, and web-based instruction, as well as feedback on writing assignments by Alda Center instructors and Scientific American editors.

Successful assignments will be considered for publication in Scientific American, and the program will culminate with a special gathering in New York City in Fall 2018, where course participants will network with instructors, science communication experts and peers as well as staff from the Alda Center, Scientific American, and The Kavli Foundation.

Click here to apply.