200 Words
Sabine Louët, News editor Nature Biotechnology
Working as a scientist requires focus, dedication, curiosity, creativity and a good deal of patience to solve the mysteries of Nature. Working as a science writer requires being able to convey simple answers to the complicated questions that scientists are trying to solve every day. To do so, science writers need to have the focus, dedication, curiosity, creativity and patience to ask the very simple questions that will enable them to understand what scientists’ world is about.
Many science writers have first hand experience of doing science. However, they tend to write their best prose when writing on topics outside their own field. Only by going back to the very basic questions can science writers actually provide a clear and intelligible account of the progress of science.
It is also science writer’s responsibility to be critical of the direction in which science progresses. Recent controversies in science have demonstrated the need for greater transparency in the actual workings of the scientific endeavour. That can only be achieved if scientists work hand in hand with science writers. That is, if both take a step to communicate with the other.