NEWSLETTER Issue 8
25 February 2026
From WCSJ 2025 to the future
We hope that over the past two months you have had time to reflect on what WCSJ 2025 meant to you and to follow up on the connections and conversations that began there.
Our sincere thanks go once again to all our speakers, session producers, delegates, committee members, funders, exhibitors, field trip hosts and support staff for their dedication and generosity in making WCSJ 2025 such a success. The event would not have been the same without your commitment and contribution.
We also wish every success to the organising teams of WCSJ 2027 in London and WCSJ 2029 in China as they begin planning the next chapters.
Fond memories
Relive the highlights of WCSJ 2025 through our conference photographs. All images from the event, including sessions, field trips, and moments with delegates and speakers, are available on online.
We would value your feedback
WCSJ 2025 welcomed 510 attendees, and so far 87 have completed the feedback form. If you have not yet shared your thoughts, we would be grateful if you could spare five minutes to complete the survey.
Please let us know what worked well and where we can improve. Your feedback will not only help us reflect on this year’s event, but will also support the teams organising future WCSJs.
Give a WCSJ 2025 recording subscription
Support the development of early career journalists in your newsroom or association by sponsoring access to the full WCSJ 2025 recording package. You might also consider purchasing access for your organisation to use as an ongoing training resource.
The package includes 58 sessions and three keynote addresses, recorded across four venues on 2, 3 and 4 December 2025, all available to watch at your convenience.
Special streaming offer
Full post conference access is available for ZAR 510, approximately 30 US dollars, 22.50 British pounds, 25 euros, 45 Australian dollars or 4,669 Japanese yen, depending on the exchange rate.
- Full access to all four live streamed WCSJ 2025 rooms
- Access valid for one year
- Sign up at www.wcsj.online
- and learn from leading voices in science journalism
Registration remains open throughout 2026.
A gift for all delegates
In December, all registered delegates were sent an email with a unique code granting free access to all recorded WCSJ 2025 sessions. This means you can revisit fascinating discussions or catch any sessions you may have missed.
Tip: First, create a free account at www.wcsj.online, then use your unique code to sign in and enjoy the recordings.
Quantum Physics Pitch winners
As part of the International Year of Quantum celebrations at WCSJ 2025, a special pitch competition was held. Congratulations to Dr Paul Adepoju, whose pitch was accepted by Physics Magazine, and Mkhululi Chimoio, whose pitch was picked up by Physics World.
➜ Read Paul’s story, exploring galaxies and cosmic filaments, which is already available online.
Remember when science and art met?
The University of Pretoria welcomed WCSJ 2025 delegates to the inspiring Javett Art Centre. In his opening address, Vice-Chancellor Prof Francis Petersen highlighted many of the University’s notable research achievements.
➜ Watch a video recap of the evening
Did you report on WCSJ 2025? We would love to see your articles. Please share them with our publicist, Noni Sophe, at nonisophe@gmail.com, and cc info@wcsj2025.org. Also, let us know if you are producing stories inspired by WCSJ field trips.
Stay connected after WCSJ 2025
To help delegates remain in touch, we have created a WCSJ 2025 Connections Group. We warmly invite you to join and continue the conversations that began at the conference. ➜ Join the group
These researchers still need your help
Do you remember the research duo Prof Lars Gunther from Germany and Prof Marina Joubert from South Africa? They are still inviting participants to complete their survey, which will inform a post conference paper exploring perspectives on science journalism and science communication in the age of AI.
Your input matters. By taking part, you help ensure that diverse voices and regional perspectives are represented in this WCSJ related research.
➜ Please complete the survey
Thank you for contributing to this important work.
Travel grants that made WCSJ 2025 truly global
Thanks to the generosity of many funders, the WCSJ 2025 organisers were able to bring around 60 science journalists from across the world to South Africa. Their presence enriched discussions, broadened perspectives and strengthened networks across continents.
As one recipient reflected:
“I was among the lucky few to receive a travel grant to attend this year. It was without a doubt one of the best journalism conferences I have ever had the pleasure of taking part in, and so very special to be able to visit and experience a small taste of South Africa.”
We previously announced some of our travel grant recipients. Here we are pleased to acknowledge many more who were able to attend thanks to targeted support from a range of partners.
International Travel Grant Support
The Johns Hopkins CAAT Global Exposome Forum Media Travel Grant enabled South African journalists with a strong interest in health reporting to attend WCSJ 2025. The recipients were Tamar Kahn of Business Day, Marcia Moyana of Health-E News and Kevin-John Brandt of eNCA.
The Fonds de Recherche du Quebec Travel Grant supported journalists from Southern African countries with an interest in science policy. Recipients included Zimbabwean freelancer Catherine Mwauyakufa, who contributes to publications such as the Masvingo Mirror, Newsday and The Herald; Wezzie Joy Gausi of the Times Group in Malawi; South African freelancer Mkhululi Chimoio, whose work appears in Nature Africa, Africa Uncensored and Africa Renewal; and Selomina Phekelela of Cape Town TV.
Frontiers, the open access research publisher, awarded travel grants to Xilena Pinedo Cabello, a freelance journalist from Peru; David Akana of Mongabay in Cameroon and the United States; Nadia Soledade Luna of Agencia TSS in Argentina; and Duncan Mboyah from Kenya.
In support of stronger United Kingdom–Africa relationships on science and technology issues, the United Kingdom Government also provided travel grants. Recipients were Lynet Otieno, Hellen Shikanda and Asha Bekidusa from Kenya; Noah Nash Hoenyefia, Emmanuel Samani and Jennifer Ambolley from Ghana; Patrick Egwu from Tanzania; and Hope Mafaranga from Uganda.
The Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Media Programme in Sub-Saharan Africa supported the travel of speakers Eva Wolfangel from Germany, Malemba Mkongo from Kenya, Nwachukwu Egbunike from Nigeria and James Okong’o from Kenya, all of whom presented at WCSJ 2025.
Homegrown support strengthening the region
The South African Department of Science, Technology and Innovation was a major supporter of WCSJ 2025, with Minister Blade Nzimande delivering the opening address. Through various initiatives, the Department supported the attendance of numerous journalists and speakers from South Africa and other member countries of the Southern African Development Community.
This support enabled many participants to take part in the 4th SADC Science Journalism Training Workshop and to further strengthen professional networks across the region.
In particular, the DSTI Patron’s Grantees were Alberto Zuze of Mozambique; Avhapfani Munyai of South Africa; Boitshepo Lame Lucas of Botswana; Busani Bafana of Zimbabwe; Cindy Sipula of Zambia; Eve Ruwoko of Zambia; Fairness Moyana of Zimbabwe; Jennifer Gilla of Tanzania; Jérémi Kakule Kyaswekera of the Democratic Republic of Congo; Limpho Sello-Makotoko Theko of Lesotho; Mutale Pamela Kapekele of Zambia; Richard Chirombo of Malawi; Sokosi Banda of Zambia; Sharon Tshipa of Botswana; Sarah Mangaza of the Democratic Republic of Congo; Thoboloko Nts’onyane of Lesotho; Titus Linzie of Malawi; Victoria Mrema of Tanzania; Sally Nyakanyanga of Zimbabwe; and Ruth Kutemba of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Chaboke Malaka, Diketso Matsepe, Siphumelele Zondi, Siziphiwe Majali and Warren Engelbrecht received support through the NRF-SAASTA internship programme of South Africa’s National Research Foundation and the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement.
DSTI Student Grants enabled South Africans Comfort Kganyago, Lehlohonolo Seema, Miehleketo Manganyi, Nothando Cynthia Armooh, Rivoningo Chauke, Rofhiwa Raselavhe and Maphari Machaka to attend WCSJ 2025.
Together, these contributions ensured that WCSJ 2025 was not only a global gathering, but also a powerful platform for regional collaboration and emerging talent. The generosity of our funders made it possible for voices from across Africa and beyond to be part of the conversation.
We thank our sponsors
The success of WCSJ 2025 was made possible through the generous support of the following sponsors. Their valued contributions empowered both emerging and experienced science journalists, deepening their understanding of the latest scientific developments and strengthening global capacity to share science effectively with diverse audiences.
