Mission: To unite Southwest science communicators for professional development, building a supportive network of people whose work relates to any aspect or way of communicating science -- visually, interpersonally and in writing.
History: SWSWA was founded in 2019, by two former members of the DC Science Writers Association who wanted to build a strong network of science communicators in the US Southwest. The organization is modeled on DCSWA and other science communication groups. We use a broader definition of ‘science communicator’ than some of these groups, to include not just writers but also graphic artists, photographers and videographers, podcasters, and other digital media science communicators.
SWSWA joins a large force of regional science communication organizations across the country. For this reason the region of the US that SWSWA represents is bounded by the presence of other regional science communication groups: ATX Sci Wri, which serves Austin and much of east Texas, to the east; Periodistas de Red to the south in Mexico; SANDSWA of San Diego, to the west; and SWARM, the Science Writers of the Rocky Mountains, to the north.
Membership: The Southwest is important to scientists for its ecology and natural resources, and is also well-known for the basic science and national security research that takes place in the region. SWSWA aims to search out and unite those who communicate the broad range of science that is done in our region. To grow our membership, we search newspapers, magazines, radio and TV stations; online publications; universities, national labs and nonprofits; museums and science centers. Current members are a range of ages, from students to seniors, and we commit ourselves to ensuring our membership is diverse and inclusive.
Activities: SWSWA is a nonprofit organization for professional development, through networking and activities. Our annual activities include an awards program for writing and visual communications, a happy hour series, and a professional development day; and we also plan one-off activities like fundraising events. We also plan to exhibit at various science communication related conferences to solicit members.
History: SWSWA was founded in 2019, by two former members of the DC Science Writers Association who wanted to build a strong network of science communicators in the US Southwest. The organization is modeled on DCSWA and other science communication groups. We use a broader definition of ‘science communicator’ than some of these groups, to include not just writers but also graphic artists, photographers and videographers, podcasters, and other digital media science communicators.
SWSWA joins a large force of regional science communication organizations across the country. For this reason the region of the US that SWSWA represents is bounded by the presence of other regional science communication groups: ATX Sci Wri, which serves Austin and much of east Texas, to the east; Periodistas de Red to the south in Mexico; SANDSWA of San Diego, to the west; and SWARM, the Science Writers of the Rocky Mountains, to the north.
Membership: The Southwest is important to scientists for its ecology and natural resources, and is also well-known for the basic science and national security research that takes place in the region. SWSWA aims to search out and unite those who communicate the broad range of science that is done in our region. To grow our membership, we search newspapers, magazines, radio and TV stations; online publications; universities, national labs and nonprofits; museums and science centers. Current members are a range of ages, from students to seniors, and we commit ourselves to ensuring our membership is diverse and inclusive.
Activities: SWSWA is a nonprofit organization for professional development, through networking and activities. Our annual activities include an awards program for writing and visual communications, a happy hour series, and a professional development day; and we also plan one-off activities like fundraising events. We also plan to exhibit at various science communication related conferences to solicit members.