There is no clear path to a career in successful science writing. A writing career evolves, just as scientific discoveries do, after endless hours of research and efforts.
Still, focusing on science writing as a journalist in a way that is factual, interesting accurate, and clear to the ordinary reader is becoming increasingly important to more and more people.
It’s more widespread significance comes in an era marked by heightened emphasis by industry, government and educators on STEM studies, and research and increasing debate among politicians about scientific discoveries and facts.
The journalists considered at the top of their field amid this myriad debate are pulled from their writing tables and labs to be recognized for their work, even if they insist their stories, not them, are what’s important.
Such is the case today for award-winning veteran science writer Warren E. Leary, a low-key Nebraskan noted for his reporting and writing about the nation’s space program and a range of other science topics including sickle cell disease.
Leary is set to be formally inducted Friday into the elite “Chroniclers,” a program at NASA’s historic Kennedy Space Center in Florida that recognizes people who, the Center says, “helped spread the news of America’s space exploration.”
Leary, who has focused on science journalism for more than 40 years, joins a group of six journalists selected earlier this year by a committee of working peers who cover the nation’s space program.
