Association of British Science Writers celebrating 75th anniversary

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Association of British Science Writers (ABSW), a membership organisation for science journalists and science writers. Founded in 1947, the ABSW provides training and professional development, recognises and rewards outstanding science writing, and advocates for independent science journalism.

Although ABSW members cover the breadth of science, psychology has always been an important part of the Association's activities. Recent events run by the ABSW have included experts speaking on a range of topics related to psychology, including the replication crisis, navigating the spread of misinformation, and reporting on research into sex and gender. These events are usually free to members, but non-members are often able to attend for a small fee.

The highlight of the year is the ABSW's prestigious awards ceremony – and here too, psychology has been well-represented. Since 2012, the awards have included the NUJ Stephen White Award, which celebrates the best communication and reporting of science in a non-science context. The award commemorates Stephen White, former Director of Publications and Communications at the BPS, who died in 2010. White was 'one of the very best', who had the respect of giants of the field, says The Psychologist editor Jon Sutton. 'Stephen genuinely cared about making Psychology accessible to wide audiences in innovative ways. I think he was ahead of his time in that way. When he proposed a Psychology garden as part of the Royal Chelsea Flower Show, some sections of the membership poured scorn on the idea… but in the years since, several psychologists have been involved in similar ventures.'

'Stephen didn't take himself, or much else, too seriously,' Sutton adds. 'A glint in the eye can be a useful characteristic when it comes to sharing science. Perhaps it's less useful if you're expected to sit nicely in a corporate hierarchy. So every year when I see the award, I am thankful there are those who did appreciate Stephen and who remember him.'

We would be remiss not to mention that our own work has been recognised at the ABSW's annual awards. Last year, David Robson won 'Feature of the Year – Specialist audience', for his article Vaccinating against viruses of the mind, published in The Psychologist. And in 2019, our Research Digest blog was shortlisted for the Dr Katharine Giles science blog award. Writing about psychology can sometimes be overshadowed by big news stories about the most recent breakthrough in health technology or the discovery of a new planet, so it has been heartening to see the ABSW celebrate science writing across the spectrum.

This year the ABSW has also taken on the running of the Media Fellowships scheme, previously administered by the British Science Association. This scheme places working scientists in newsrooms, to learn how the media operates and how to communicate with journalists and the wider public. Sutton took part in the scheme in 1999 while lecturing in psychology at Glasgow Caledonian University, working for six weeks at New Scientist. 'I'm very glad I had that opportunity to work in a professional magazine environment before starting as The Psychologist editor, and ever since I've found myself ending guidance to contributors with "kind of like New Scientist",' he says. 'ABSW seem like the perfect partners for the scheme, so I hope that for years to come many more budding science communicators get the kind of opportunity that I did.'

The ABSW has a full calendar of events celebrating their 75 years of existence, including the biennial UK Conference of Science Journalists taking place on 27 September. On 17 October, the association will be hosting a 'witness seminar' at the Science Museum, reviewing the history of science writing in the UK, with the ABSW's 75th birthday party following afterwards. And you don't have to be a professional journalist to join the ABSW: there is also an Associate Member category for people who aren't professional writers, but whose work advances the public awareness of science and technology.

For more information about events and details of how to become a member visit www.absw.org.uk.