NEWSLETTER Issue 5
31 October 2025
Applications for field trips to open soon
Now is a great time to register for WCSJ 2025, as applications for field trips will open on Wednesday, 5 November 2025 at 17:00 (GMT+2).
Field trips are reserved for registered delegates and programme participants only. Delegates will be asked to indicate their top three preferred field trips, allowing host institutions to make selections accordingly.
➜ View the list of planned field trips.
Several new field trips have been added this week (see below), including an exclusive opportunity for a small group of journalists to visit the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) in the Karoo region of South Africa’s Northern Cape province.
Time is running out – register now
WCSJ 2025 begins on 1 December 2025, and there is less than a month to go. Secure your place today: Register now.
The benefits of attending
- Global networking and community building
- Access to expertise, fresh ideas and the latest trends
- Unique location and field trip experiences
- Engagement with big themes: science journalism and social justice
- Professional development and career enhancement
- Story idea generation and exposure to under-reported science
Two exciting new field trips
DITSONG: National Museum of Natural History
Step back in time at South Africa’s DITSONG Museum, founded in 1892. Discover an extraordinary collection of fossils and animal specimens, including the famous hominid skull “Mrs Ples” from the Cradle of Humankind. Explore the Ornithology Collection with over 40,000 African bird specimens, and visit the Broom Room, a secure fossil vault showcasing early hominid discoveries – and much more.
Hike in the Tswaing Meteorite Crater
Experience the awe-inspiring Tswaing Meteorite Crater, formed 220,000 years ago by a stony meteorite impact. At 1.13 km across and 100 metres deep, the crater features a shimmering saline lake, giving it its Setswana name, Tswaing, meaning “Place of Salt.” The surrounding Tswaing Reserve is a haven for wildlife, home to over 240 bird species, making it a unique destination for nature lovers and science enthusiasts alike.
Both field trips will take place on 5 December 2025.
Sessions that strengthen science journalism as a profession
Critique of science: how to teach this skill
Wednesday, 3 December 2025, 14:00
Sound and accurate science journalism is crucial. This session brings together speakers involved in valuable training programmes:
- Agnès Vernet, European Federation of Science Journalism
- Dr Siri Carpenter, The Open Notebook
- Prof Lesley Cowling, University of the Witwatersrand
- Balao Kossi, International Centre for Journalism
- Moderated by Magali Reinert, AJSPI board member.
AI – friend or foe 2.0: A journalistic perspective from inside the machine
Wednesday, 3 December 2025, 10:45
Explore how artificial intelligence is transforming journalism and how reporters can work with – or around – AI:
- Eva Wolfangel, Wissenschaft-Pressekonferenz, Germany
- Serusha Govender, science journalist and policy consultant
- Athandiwe Saba, Code for Africa
Using scientific data as a starting point for a journalistic investigation on endangered species
Thursday, 4 December 2025, 15:00
Explore how journalists can use scientific data to investigate endangered species trafficking across ecosystems, borders, and criminal networks. Topics include the illegal European eel trade and Europe’s largest land mammal. The session also introduces the Oxpeckers #WildEye digital mapping tool, an open-source platform for tracking and investigating wildlife and environmental crime globally. Speakers are:
- Alexandra Talty, Journalismfund Europe
- Tadeusz Michrowski, Polish journalist
- Roxanne Joseph, Oxpeckers Investigative Environmental Journalism
- Moderated by Rob Spaull, Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).
Travel grants for leaders of WFSJ member associations
A limited number of travel grants are now available to official delegates of bona fide member associations of the World Federation of Science Journalists (WFSJ) to attend WCSJ 2025. The grants also provide the opportunity to participate in the WFSJ Annual General Meeting (AGM), taking place on 3 December 2025 at the conference venue.
These grants are made possible thanks to the generous support of the US National Association of Science Writers. Recipients will be selected by the WFSJ Board.
How to apply
Send your application to info@wfsj.org by Friday, 7 November 2025.
Use the subject line: WFSJ Member Association Travel Grants.
Each application must include an official letter from the WFSJ member association that confirms the applicant to be the official voting delegate of that specific association.
Applicants to provide their contact details (name, email, and mobile number).
Thinking of starting or strengthening a Science Journalism Association?
If you’ve ever wanted to start a science journalism association in your country or region, or improve how an existing one is run, make sure to stop by the WFSJ booth at WCSJ 2025.
Throughout the Conference, the World Federation of Science Journalists (WFSJ) will host free advice clinics, where experienced association leaders will share practical tips, insights, and lessons from their own experience.
A full schedule of clinic times will be announced ahead of WCSJ 2025.
In the meantime, you can get a head start by reading the WFSJ Handbook: Setting Up Your Own Science Journalists’ Association.
To register your interest in the clinics, please email info@wfsj.org.
For the bird(er)s
South Africa is a paradise for birders, with superb birding, wildlife, and photography opportunities, all supported by world-class infrastructure. Rockjumper Birding Tours offers expertly guided adventures for nature enthusiasts.
Two scheduled tours are available around WCSJ 2025:
Kruger Extension Tour: 21–25 November 2025
Northern Post-Tour Extension: 5–11 December 2025
Renowned guide Daniel Danckwerts (Dan the Bird Man) can also organise a bespoke weekend tour (5–7 December 2025) to local sites such as Marievale Bird Sanctuary, Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve, and Zaagkuilsdrift Road.
For bookings or custom tours, use the “Book Now” or “Enquire Now” buttons on the tour page, or contact Daniel at +27 31 813 5608 or daniel@rockjumper.com.
