#UKCSJ24
Self-publishing vs. Traditional publishing: what to expect?
Once you decide to publish a book, you are faced with a lot of choices. Here are some tips to help you make that easier. By Zoe Chernova 👉 zurl.co/7UHA2
@alexobrienuk.bsky.social @easternblot.bsky.social
#UKCSJ24
"Most people don’t sit down and say they want to watch a science show." Nicola Cook, BBC
What can broadcasters do to engage the audience with science topics?
Nicola Cook, Hugh Levinson & @rowhoop.bsky.social insights, by Deborah Cohen 👉 zurl.co/LLsYn
Leave your ideas too👇
#UKCSJ24
We know #AI represents challenges to #sciencewriters and creators, some love it and others hate it, but one cannot ignore it is here to stay.
It was discussed at #UKCSJ24 and Zoe Chernova now drives you into the talks.
Leave your ideas too.
zurl.co/D0XVw
Done with my #ukcsj24 panel about books. Also signed one book in the break - happy to sign others! (The bookseller is still here at the start of the reception)
Conference panel discussing the future of science.
Panel about the future of science journalism starts with questions from the Young Science Writers Network, e.g. how can you get experience relevant to staff editorial jobs if you're working as a freelancer? (The answer: look for opportunities, ask for feedback, etc) #UKCSJ24
Back after a break to hear Andy Extance do his general #UKCSJ24 announcements. FUN FACT: He worked on preparing this talk at last week's #scicomm coworking session on Discord. Link to the coworking server if you want to be equally productive: discord.gg/NznrBBAUEA
So far the main message of the broadcast session seems to be that Germany is more into science stories for radio/TV, whereas the UK just has a few high-budget places that are very hard to get into. For indie broadcast science journalists, the panel recommends pitching to editors in Germany. #UKCSJ24
A general note for the #scicomm crowd: There is a science journalism conference happening in the UK today, and you can find some posts about it here on Bluesky or on the awful place with hashtag #UKCSJ24 Just a few of us posting, but you can get the idea of what's going on!
Currently in a session that compares pitching to broadcast media in the UK and Germany. #UKCSJ24 I'm mainly listening and learning. Broadcast is something I don't know much about!
This is broader than just science journalism. We also need to zoom out to think about journalism as an industry as a whole, and the business model #ukcsj24
This is the article about COSMOS using AI to replace journalists that I mentioned at #UKCSJ24 www.theguardian.com/media/commen...
SLIDE: Will AI reduce the number of jobs in science journalism in the future? 29 yes : 15 no
Well we're in an optimistic mood at #UKCSJ24
Should individual journalists be allowed to decide how they use AI? The answer is 26 yes vs 25 no
A very divisive question! I voted "yes", but I interpreted it as "I don't want to use ChatGPT even if you say that I can" and only later realised that it could also mean "I will use AI even if you say that I can't".
Someone already brought up that these are two separate questions! #UKCSJ24
Nature mainly uses AI for highlights/summaries/translations/transcriptions. "Absolutely not for pictures", says Subhra #UKCSJ24
#UKCSJ24 Most journalists who do use AI only use it for transcription (which matches what the audience in the room said). I also only use it to transcribe interviews. (btw last year, or the year before, Otter helped me transcribe an interview I did with Subhra for a Nature Masterclass course!)
I'm at #UKCSJ24 today. Talking on a panel later today (about books) but now I'm listening to the opening plenary about AI. Subhra Priyardarshini is now sharing how Nature uses AI. Before this, Andy Ridgway talked about his research on journalists' attitudes to AI.
I just checked if the #UKCSJ24 hashtag was being used on Bluesky at all and it was only you so far!
Oh yeah, should probably say I'm heading back to the island for #UKCSJ24 next week, really looking forward to catching up with people. Will I see you there?
