NEWSLETTER Issue 7
19 November 2025
Book your workshops now
Explore the WCSJ 2025 workshop programme for Monday, 1 December 2025. Most sessions are half day, so with a bit of planning you can attend two.
There will also be one workshop each day during the main conference:
- 2 December 2025: Covering a global health crisis: effective reporting on antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
- 3 December 2025: How to be excellent: free and useful tools to enhance your science journalism
- 4 December 2025: Fake news and misinformation: cross border challenges and innovative approaches to countering false stories
If you have already registered, check your inbox for an email from the WCSJ 2025 Local Organising Committee with your workshop registration link.
Not yet registered? Visit the registration page to secure your place.
Global Cloudflare outage temporarily affected WCSJ 2025 web services
Yesterday, a global Cloudflare outage affected many online platforms, including the forms on the WCSJ 2025 website and bulk email deliveries. As a result, some users may have experienced difficulties viewing or submitting forms.
We are pleased to confirm that the issue has now been resolved. All services, including the online forms, are working properly once again. Thank you for your patience and understanding while the disruption was being addressed.
We understand that this outage may have caused inconvenience, particularly for those attempting to register or book workshops and evening events. If you were unable to access or submit a form yesterday, please do so now. We will continue to monitor our systems closely to ensure full functionality.
Congratulations to our grant recipients
We are delighted to announce the next group of journalists who, with the support of sponsored travel grants, will be able to attend WCSJ 2025.
International Year of Quantum travel grant
Cale Matthews of Behind the News, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, has been awarded an International Year of Quantum travel grant to attend WCSJ 2025.
Matthews is looking forward “to hear and meet so many creative, talented, and passionate scientists, journalists, and science journalists.” He believes that now, more than ever, it is vital to build public trust in science. “Part of doing that is to ensure the public is interested and engaged in what is happening at the forefront of research,” he says.
Springer Nature Travel Fellowship recipients
Springer Nature Travel Fellowships have been awarded to journalists from across the globe.
Eduardo Quintana
Eduardo Quintana of Ciencia del Sur, Paraguay is eager to explore how science is communicated in other Global South countries facing similar realities and challenges. He hopes to return from South Africa with new tools, approaches, and partnerships to strengthen science journalism in Paraguay and across Latin America.
Nataša Ivanuš Čuček
Nataša Ivanuš Čuček of RTV Slovenija, Slovenia is particularly interested in sessions on antimicrobial resistance, environmental health, and responsible reporting, which she describes as “essential for building a fairer, healthier, and more resilient society.”
Joel Michael
Joel Michael of Down to Earth, India sees WCSJ 2025 as a unique platform for South Asian journalists to share stories and connect with peers globally. He notes that Africa and India share several social challenges, including social injustice, resilience, and adaptation to climate change, which provide a valuable foundation for collaboration.
Jackson Ryan
Jackson Ryan, a freelance journalist from Australia says the travel grant “facilitates opening up Australia to the world,” giving him the opportunity to engage with, learn from, and strengthen science journalism in the APAC region by “soaking up all the knowledge of the journalism community descending on Pretoria.”
We will highlight additional travel grant recipients in upcoming newsletters. With more than 60 grants awarded, there is plenty to share.
Seeking excellence in your work: share your ideas
The organisers of the “How to Be Excellent” session at WCSJ 2025 want to hear from you. How do you pursue excellence in your work, and what tools, training, or support would help you achieve it?
Please share your thoughts by completing this survey by Wednesday, 26 November 2025.
Let’s focus on quantum physics
As quantum science and technology move from theoretical promise to transformative real-world applications, journalists are increasingly tasked with covering stories that are both groundbreaking and conceptually challenging.
Thanks to support from the International Year of Quantum 2025 project, WCSJ 2025 delegates will have the opportunity to strengthen their skills in reporting on the field.
- Monday, 1 December 2025:
Workshop – A primer on quantum science and journalism - Tuesday, 2 December 2025:
Panel – Will Africa hit (or miss) the quantum wave? - Wednesday, 3 December 2025:
Lunchtime discussion – Navigating the quantum beat
Did you know? To promote global collaboration and address critical challenges in science and technology, the United Nations General Assembly has declared 2025 the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ), under the leadership of UNESCO.
Quantum physics pitching contest for delegates
To celebrate the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ), Physics Magazine (published by the American Physical Society) and Physics World (published by the Institute of Physics, UK) are hosting a special Quantum Pitch Competition exclusively for WCSJ 2025 delegates.
Journalists are invited to submit story ideas on any aspect of quantum science and technology, including interviews and career profiles. At least two successful pitches will be commissioned as paid assignments and published in one of the magazines.
Tips for travellers
Consider the following transfer options between OR Tambo Airport (46km or 31 minutes away from Pretoria) from Pretoria, your selected hotel or the CSIR International Convention Centre.
High speed train: Catch the Gautrain from the airport terminal building to Hatfield Station and, from there, a Gautrain bus to your hotel or straight to the Convention Centre.
Airport transfers: Book and pay online with Ulysses Tours & Safaris (select “Gauteng Province & all Gauteng Airports” from the drop down menu, pick-up address “OR Tambo International Airport”). Use the promotional code WCSJ2025 for a 10% discount.
Car rental: All major car rental providers are stationed at the airport – pre-booking is advised.
E-Hailing: Uber and Bolt are fully operational in South Africa.
Some hotels may offer hotel transfers. Please enquire directly with your chosen hotel when booking.
WFSJ clinics: running successful science journalism associations
Learn from leading experts how to creatively manage thriving associations of science journalists and organise international conferences.
The speakers include Aghan Daniel, team lead of The Media for Environment, Science, Health and Agriculture (MESHA); Sallie Robins, executive secretary of the Association of British Science Writers (ABSW); Joseph Mbeng Boum, founding president of the African Confederation of Science Journalists and vice-president of the WFSJ; and Tinsley Davis, executive director of the US National Association of Science Writers (NASW).
They will present clinics at scheduled times during WCSJ. For the full timetable, visit the World Federation of Science Journalists (WFSJ) booth or email jmfleury@wfsj.org.
A space where art meets science…
Join us for a welcoming cocktail on the evening of 2 December 2025 at the iconic Javett-UP Art Centre, which is rooted in a strong belief in the emancipatory potential of the arts in society. Delegates will be warmly hosted by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Pretoria (UP), Professor Francis Petersen.
The University of Pretoria is also offering four exciting field trips for delegates on Monday, 1 December 2025:
Trip 1: NuMeRI, Africa’s first nuclear medicine research facility, followed by Moja Gabedi, a vibrant community hub and garden.
Trip 2: Zoology, Entomology, and Moja Gabedi: explore edible insect farming and sample insect-based dishes.
Trip 3: Engineering 4.0 and Moja Gabedi: discover smart city innovations and sustainable infrastructure solutions.
Trip 4: South Africa’s only veterinary faculty at Onderstepoort, featuring world-class animal healthcare facilities. The trip concludes at Moja Gabedi.
…and culture meets the WCSJ delegates
Step into the vibrant heart of the capital for a special edition of Market@theSheds at 012central. Join speakers and fellow delegates for an evening of South African food, music, art, and culture for 800 ZAR.
Market@theSheds is more than a market. Each edition is a festival of creativity, featuring live performances by local artists, exhibitions of art, fashion, and design, and stalls showcasing unique local crafts. The atmosphere is distinctly urban and inclusive, celebrating community, diversity, and homegrown talent.
Buses will depart from the CSIR International Convention Centre at 17:30, immediately after sessions conclude, and arrive at Market@theSheds by 18:00. Guests will enjoy a light cocktail dinner with traditional South African dishes, live music, and opportunities to network, all while experiencing Pretoria’s creative energy firsthand.
Experience the heartbeat of the capital and discover where Pretoria comes alive.