The Council for the Advancement of Science Writing (CASW) is pleased to announce the launch of a new award honoring the late science journalist Sharon Begley. The Sharon Begley Science Reporting Award, to be presented annually starting in 2022, will recognize and support journalists who exemplify excellence in covering science for the public.
The award will provide a $20,000 grant to a mid-career science journalist whose work exhibits the high standards Begley’s reporting embodied. In more than four decades at Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal, Reuters and STAT, Begley was trusted by her readers, respected by her sources, and renowned for her authoritative insights, depth, accuracy, scientific rigor, lyrical prose, and myth-busting impact.
The award is being funded by individual donations through a campaign headed by Sharon’s husband, Ned Groth (@nedgroth), a scientist, author and environmental health consultant who was the longtime director of public service projects and senior scientist at Consumers Union, the publisher of Consumer Reports magazine. With a substantial founding gift, Groth challenged Sharon’s colleagues and admirers to match his generosity during a private campaign that netted over $700,000 in gifts from more than 60 donors toward a goal of $1 million.
To learn more about the Sharon Begley Award: Join CASW leaders for an information session for science journalists at 2 pm Eastern time on Friday, Oct. 1. Register to attend here.
To hear Sharon Begley and other award-winning science journalists from around the world talk about their work: View this video prepared for the 2017 World Conference of Science Journalists.
