AWARDS PROGRAM DEADLINE FEBRUARY 15, 2016

CSWA Science In Society Journalism & Science Communication Awards

The Canadian Science Writers’ Association offers Science In Society awards annually to honour outstanding contributions to journalism and science communication in Canada. 

CSWA Science Communication Award: $1,000

This award goes to an individual or small team, museum, university or college, whose work in 2015 explored or explained the topic of science to the public in an informative, accurate and engaging way. The work can be in any medium, and was produced for the purposes of public communications, outreach, advertising, marketing, or any similar venture. submit here

CSWA Science Journalism Award: $1,000

This award goes to an individual who has a science piece published in their name in any media during the calendar year 2015. submit here

CSWA Herb Lampert Emerging Journalist Award: $500

This award is goes to a student or newly practicing journalist who has a science piece published in any media during 2015. submit here

CSWA GENERAL SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

Submissions Now Open: Deadline February 15, 2016

Competitors must be Canadian citizens or residents of Canada.

Each award is presented for original material disseminated – in French or English –

during the 2015 calendar year.

The awards will be presented during the CSWA annual conference.

1 entry per person or team

All entries must submit:

·      description of the entry, less than 150 words

·      biography of the writer(s), less than 150 words

·      confirmation of the date published, broadcast, or presented

·      online entry form

·      entry fee online: entry fee $50 for non-members, $25 for members, (no fee for Herb Lampert Emerging Journalist Award)

JUDGING CRITERIA

Entries in each of the categories may deal with research and development, regulatory trends or social issues. They are judged generally on the basis of initiative, originality,  
clarity of interpretation and value in promoting a better understanding of science by the public and on the following specific criteria:

PRESENTATION AND CLARITY

Is it understandable without being overly simplistic? Is the medical or scientific terminology clarified? Have the facts or hypotheses been marshaled in an orderly and progressive fashion? Has the importance, or purpose, of the subject matter been clearly stated relative to its value? Is the grammar good? Is the material in good, logical order? Does the presentation flow easily?

EFFORT

Has the entrant expended more than standard time and effort in soliciting and preparing the entry? For example, this would rule out straight reporting of speakers and papers at scientific meetings, regardless of excellence, unless the entrant has pursued the topic in greater depth or obtained other expert validation, beyond the initial presentation.

SUBJECT MATTER

Is it relevant to the majority of the audience or does it have a narrow interest appeal? Does it lead to a higher degree of awareness or practical understanding of the importance of science in society today? It may be either educational or informative.

CREATIVITY

The subject matter does not necessarily have to be new. However, if a familiar topic or review is presented, it should offer more than another presentation of the facts. It should reinforce current understanding of the topic, or create a new awareness by offering a new perspective or innovative concept.

How to Submit Formats:

print:

·      four copies of the article or series on one topic or theme

·      ora link to the online article or series on one topic or theme

radio or podcast:

·      link to mp3 file either through an active url or an archived link,

·      or4 copies on DVD

television/youtube/other video:

·      4 copies of on DVD

·      ora link to an active url

Live Event or Media Campaign (Science Communication):

Event or campaign promotion material, images, video, audio and media coverage as appropriate and relevant to the event. Material can be submitted in any of the formats listed above. You’ll be asked to provide a complete list of all links and DVD or print copies being submitted per entry.

Print copies and DVDs must be delivered by February 15 to:

CSWA SIS Awards, c/o Andy F. Visser-deVries

455 Lakeshore Road, PO Box 249

Grafton ON  

K0K 2G0

 

All audio and video files and links or urls must be active and available throughout the submissions & judging and awards presentation period (Feb 15 to June 30)