SFI Publications Manager Katie Mast was elected to the Board of the National Association of Science Writers (NASW). She joins 14 other board members and begins her two-year term on November 11.
“In a time when public trust in journalism and science are declining, and when mis- and disinformation about science is causing real harm, I’m proud to be able to contribute to an organization committed to excellence in science communication,” says Mast. “I’m excited to develop robust and timely resources that support science writers in a variety of roles to do their jobs well and effectively.”
Mast has been an active volunteer on the NASW Programs Committee since 2020, and served on the organization’s Conflict of Interest working group in 2018. She was also the recipient of the Peggy Girshman Idea Grant in 2019, which enabled her to host a weekend training on improvisation for science writers and a related session at the annual ScienceWriters meeting.
NASW, which turned 90 this year, was established to fight for the free flow of science news. It has around 2,400 professional journalists, authors, editors, producers, public information officers, students and people who write and produce material intended to inform the public about science, health, engineering, and technology. The Association promotes the professional interests of science writers nationally and globally, plays an active role in supporting efforts to ensure writers are paid for their work, and advocates for copyright protections for writers.