Christie Wilcox
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"If we are putting our time and resources into communicating science but we're not on social media, we're like a tree falling in an empty forest—yes, we're making noise, but no one is listening." 

Wilcox has years of experience in writing feature articles, essays, editorial pieces, and blog posts on the topic of science education and communication using new media platforms. Her passionate appeal to draw scientists online has garnered her multiple speaking engagements at national conferences, and she has led workshops and courses for other scientists on how to engage through new media for major scientific organizations including the National Institutes of Health and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. 
          Her latest endeavor is as lead editor on Science Blogging — the essential how-to guide for communicating scientific research and discoveries online, ideal for journalists, researchers, and public information officers looking to reach a wide lay audience. Drawing on the cumulative experience of twenty-seven of the greatest minds in scientific communication, this invaluable handbook targets the specific questions and concerns of the scientific community, offering help in a wide range of digital areas, including blogging, creating podcasts, tweeting, and more. With step-by-step guidance and one-stop expertise, this is the book every scientist, science writer, and practitioner needs to approach the Wild West of the Web with knowledge and confidence.

Science Blogging: The Essential Guide is available online! Released: March 22, 2016

Reviews of Science Blogging: The Essential Guide:
“Want to learn how to launch a blog, nurture an audience, and—gasp—get paid for it? Read this book. Everyone, from neophyte to veteran, will learn from the Who’s Who of science blogger contributors.”
—Ivan Oransky, cofounder of Retraction Watch

“Once upon a time, science blogging was imagined to be a distraction from the serious business of Real Journalism™. Now it is journalism, and much more besides. This new collection offers a well written, rigorous, and timely atlas to its diverse approaches and best practices. Aspiring and veteran bloggers alike, take note: good stuff here.”
—Thomas Levenson, MIT Graduate Program in Science Writing, and author of The Hunt for Vulcan

“Like the medium it covers, Science Blogging is by turns pragmatic, charming, wide ranging, and sharply argued. This is the guidebook science blogging deserves, and that every science blogger needs to read.”
—Thomas Hayden, coeditor of 
The Science Writers’ Handbook: Everything You Need to Know to Pitch, Publish, and Prosper in the Digital Age
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“This collection of essays and tips, wisdom and insight on science blogging should be considered a must-read. From its all-star editors to its remarkable contributors, Science Blogging: The Essential Guide offers a range of information suited to everyone from those curious about starting a blog to practitioners looking for ways to improve. The word ‘essential’ is often overused but in this case, it suits perfectly.”

—Deborah Blum, Director of Knight Science Journalism Program at MIT and author of the Poison Pen blog for The New York Times

Presentations & Appearances
Want to have Christie talk with your department, university, or organization? Send an email to NerdyChristie [at] gmail [dot] com, or even better, shoot her a tweet!

  • The Art of the Interview: Getting Sources to Bring Stories to Life. October 20, 2020; Science Writers 2020; Online. Abstract, Recap, Recap.
  • Finding Your Voice: From Scientist to Science Writer. October 25, 2018; University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Recap
  • Show, Not Tell: The Art Of Writing Science Videos. October 13, 2018; Science Writers 2018, George Washington University, Washington, DC. 
  • Career Skills Seminar: Using Social Media as a Freelancer. September 19, 2017; Northwest Science Writers, hosted at Hugo House, Seattle, WA. 
  • Workshop: Communicating Science. October 28, 2015; University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI.
  • Career Skills Workshop: Getting Started In Social Media. February 14, 2014. AAAS Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL. Abstract
  • Workshop: Social Media: The Importance of Being Online. September 26, 2013. Gemini Observatory, Hilo, HI. Presentation Slides 
  • Oral Presentation: Casting A Wider Net: Using Social Media To Improve Scientific Research, Communication and Outreach. September 10, 2013; American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting, Little Rock, AK. Abstract, Presentation Slides
  • Career Skills Workshop: Learning to e-Volve: Social Networking for Scientists. February 16, 2013; AAAS Annual Meeting, Boston, MA. 
  • Panel Session: Engaging with Social Media. February 14, 2013; AAAS Annual Meeting, Boston, MA. Coverage and Summary, Podcast, Video of the Event
  • Oral Presentation: Tweeting from the Ivory Tower: How to Use Social Media to be a Better Scientist and Communicator. February 11, 2013; Rockefeller University, New York, NY.  
  • Session Moderator: Impostor Syndrome. with Eve Rickert. February 2, 2013; Raleigh, NC. Storify
  • Panel Session: Facebook, Twitter, Rah rah rah - How do You Know When it's Working? with Karyn Traphagen & Matt Shipman. October 27, 2012; Raleigh, NC. NASW write up of the session, Storify 
  • Workshop: Science and Social Media – The Importance Of Being Online. June 26 & 27, 2012; Washington, DC.   SNFS Wiki   Presentation Slides
  • Radio Show Guest: Bytemarks Cafe: Science 2.0. April 4, 2012; KIPO, Hawaii Public Radio, Honolulu, HI. Audio Recording
  • Oral Presentation: Science 2.0: Research in the Age of Facebook. March 28, 2012; Honolulu, HI. Video of Event
  • Oral Presentation: Science and the Media: Why Every Lab Should Tweet. February 13, 2012; Seattle, WA. Presentation Slides, Video of the Talk
  • Oral Presentation: Science and the Public: Why Every Lab Should Tweet. September 23, 2011; Honolulu, HI. Presentation Slides
  • Session Moderator: How to explain science in blog posts with Ed Yong, Scicurious, Joanne Manaster, Maryn McKenna, Vivienne Raper, Eric Michael Johnson, Brian Mossop, Carin Bondar and Melody Dye. January 15, 2011. Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC. Session write-up
  • Guest, BrianLerher.TV: Social Media for Scientists

Selected Posts and Publications

  • It's Time To e-Volve: Taking Responsibility for Science Communication in a Digital Age. Biological Bulletin. 222(2), 85-87. Full Text Online
  • The Social Media For Scientists Series: 
         Part 1: It's Our Job
         Part 2: You Do Have Time
         Part 2.5: Breaking Stereotypes
         Part 3: Win-Win


"Scientists need to be on social media because everyone else is already, talking about their thoughts and feelings, having discussions about things they care about, and generally, well, 
being social."

Tweets by @NerdyChristie
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Photo Credit: Atlantic Photography
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"Only 17% of Americans can name a living scientist. That statistic crushes my heart."

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​Copyright © 2022 Christie Wilcox. All Rights Reserved.
  • Home
  • About
  • Venomous
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  • MORE
    • Science Sushi
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      • CV
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