We are delighted to announce this year’s cohort of Media Fellows and the details of their media placements.

Running since 1987, the British Science Association Media Fellowships provide a unique opportunity for practising scientists and clinicians to spend two to six weeks working at the heart of a media organisation in the UK.

The Fellowships help to bridge the communication gap between journalists and scientists, address the misunderstanding and mistrust between scientists and journalists and in the long-term aims to improve the quality and quantity of science and engineering stories in the press.

This year, Media Fellows are undertaking placements at a range of well-known media organisations, such as the Londonist, The Mirror, The Times, Nature News, BBC Breakfast and The I.

Dr Vanesa Martinez, Trinity College Dublin, is placed with The Irish Times, funded by Science Foundation Ireland

Dr Robert Thompson, University College London, is placed with BBC Radio Science, funded by the Royal Society of Chemistry

Dr Theodore Wilson, University of Leeds, is placed with The Mirror, funded by the Society for Applied Microbiology

Dr Howard Ryland, South West London and St. George's Mental Health NHS Trust, is placed with the Londonist, funded by the Wellcome Trust

Professor Ivor Mason, King’s College London, is placed with The i, funded by the Wellcome Trust

Dr Jessica Steventon, Cardiff University, is placed with Open Democracy, funded by the Wellcome Trust

Dr Petra Szilágyi, Greenwich University, is placed with Nature, funded by AXA Research Fund

Dr Jonathan Sullivan, Nottingham University, is placed with BBC Radio Science, funded by the University of Nottingham

Dr Spencer Hazel, Nottingham University, is placed with The Times, funded by the University of Nottingham

Dr Denis Schluppeck, Nottingham University, is placed with The Financial Times, funded by the University of Nottingham

Nicky Danino, University of Central Lancashire, is placed with BBC Breakfast, funded by the University of Central Lancashire

Dr Rowenna Baldwin, Manchester Metropolitan University, is placed with Channel 4, funded by Manchester Metropolitan University

After their placement, the Fellows will be heading to Swansea University to report at the British Science Festival as part of the press team. This provides them with an opportunity to put their new-found skills to the test and allows them a chance to work alongside professional journalists from a large variety of outlets in our dedicated press centre.

In the future, we hope our Fellows will go back to their institutions and share and disseminate what they have learnt to their colleagues and peers.

Find out more about our Media Fellowships

With thanks to Jon S for the image.