Hacking the Hype: An Interactive Science Reporting Workshop

What is hype and why is it important to think about when reporting on science and health matters? 

In this workshop, students will learn the theoretical foundations of hype-resistance, the fundamentals of solid science writing and put the two into practice by producing a short, science-based news story with a 48-hour deadline.

Students should come prepared to the workshop with an idea for a 400 to 500-word science news story they'd like to pitch and produce. Cash prizes will be given to our top stories developed at the workshop! 

The event is free, but registration is required as spots are limited. It is open to both undergraduate and graduate students. The event will take place in-person at the Loyola Campus, CJ 3.307.

Reserve by emailing: cristina.sanza@concordia.ca

This workshop was made possible with support from the Dean's Special Initiative Fund.

About the speakers

Taylor Kann is a PhD Candidate at Concordia University in the Individualized Program in Humanities. Taylor's research examines how media coverage of the clinical applications of synthetic biology impacts Canadian audiences' views on the integration of synthetic biology tech into medical care both currently and moving forward. 

Cristina Sanza is a Digital Journalism Instructor and writing coach in the Department of Journalism at Concordia University. Through the Department’s Science Journalism Hub, she coordinates its science journalism summer school, Projected Futures, and is part of the Concordia Science Journalism Project research team. 

Serena Bianchi is the Science Communicator-in-Residence in the department of Psychology at Concordia University, where she teaches courses on neuroscience and science communication. A scientist turned science communicator, Serena has a research background in psychology and evolutionary neuroscience and more than ten years of experience writing in the sciences.