Welcome to this timely conference, “Future Directions in Science Journalism,” a project of the UBC School of Journalism’s science journalism initiative.

Given the impact of new media and science on a global world, schools of journalism should lead in the education of critical and informed science journalists and researchers.

Science journalism is a new and developing specialty at our graduate school. It aims to improve the understanding of science through research, teaching, and public discussion. The initiative includes research conducted by media scholars at our school, in Belgium and in France. The research is part of a larger research project, the Pleiades Promoter Project, looking at the genetic basis of brain disorders.

I invite you to learn more about our school, its international faculty, and its excellent graduate students. Become involved with our science journalism initiative and assist us in this worthy project of improving the public communication of science. Enjoy the conference and please participate in the conference blog at www.sciencejournalism.net.

Warm regards,
Stephen J. A. Ward, PhD
Director and Associate Professor of Journalism Ethics
School of Journalism, UBC