Alberta Innovates- Health Solutions

Communicating Science

• It might turn into a career for recent University of Calgary grad Carmen Kinniburgh.
  
• University of Alberta Science student Jason Ding calls it a "plum position" he'd love to land again.

The two enthusiastic science students spent their summer working as paid interns at local media outlets in Calgary and Edmonton as part of AHFMR's 12-week Media Fellowship Program.

The long-running program immerses young scientists in a media environment, exposing them to the ins and outs of communicating science to the public. The program's goal is to foster better communication and understanding between the science and media communities and increase public awareness of the importance of science in our lives.

Carmen's byline appeared an amazing 33 times in the three months she worked as a Calgary Herald intern. She started with an impressive front-page astronomy story and never looked back, says supervisor and senior science reporter Mark Lowey. "Her hard work increased the newspaper's overall science coverage during her internship, especially of local stories that got national attention after her reports." Carmen not only produced a full-page feature, she finished her internship with a full two-page feature -- the first produced by an AHFMR intern.

Jason had an equally productive summer, producing his own eight-week series, "Summer Studies," which ran on CBC Radio Edmonton. The once-a-week program featured stories on research conducted at the U of A. He also contributed to daily programming by assisting with story ideas, pre-interviewing guests, and writing scripts for the hosts of various programs.

"The AHFMR Media Fellowship Program met and exceeded what I'd hoped I'd get out of the program. I sure have a greater understanding and respect for the media," Jason says. Carmen adds, "It seemed like the most perfect job--you get to work with people who really enjoy science and share it with others who like to read about it."

Carmen's stint as a cub reporter has her thinking of a career in Journalism, but first she's off to Nepal for three months of hiking in the Himalayas. Jason is in his third year at the U of A, with an eye toward a career as a pediatrician.