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Profile of a Science Journo: STEPHEN PINCOCK, Science columnist, Financial Times (UK) Stephen is a Sydney-based journalist who writes a weekly science column for the Financial Times (UK), and files regularly for The Sydney Morning Herald, ABC science online, The Scientist (US), The Lancet (UK), The British Medical Journal and others. The Australian edition of his book, Codebreaker, was published in September 2006. How did you get into science journalism? When I finished my science degree I realised that I was fascinated by the concepts but was sadly lacking the fortitude needed to actually do the work. So I contacted everyone I could think of who might give me work as a writer, and eventually got a job on a science trade magazine. That was 1993 and I've been working as a writer since then. What are the main obstacles you face? Back in the old days I used to spend a lot of time down the library, looking through the latest journals for story ideas. These days, that aspect of the job is much easier as all journals have a web presence. Still, there's so much science out there that good stories are easy to miss. What aspects of science do you feel most passionate about? I feel strongly that science isn't something that should be quarantined into a separate little box away from the rest of life. In my experience, science is stuff people talk about at dinner, with their kids, down the pub. What is your most memorable experience as a science reporter? Memorable stuff happens almost daily, but I was really inspired recently by a long interview with the chimpanzee researcher Jane Goodall. Do you have a particular philosophy when writing a story? There's really no need to think about science reporting any differently to other types of journalism. Get your facts right, tell a good story. That's it, essentially.
Keep trying. As a beginner, coming up with good ideas and convincing someone to take a chance on you is the hardest part. After that, the fun starts.
Like many people, I also do the occasional bit of travel journalism. The kids also tend to keep me out of trouble. How does someone reading this contact you if they have a story idea? You can email me at stephen.pincock AT journalist.co.uk
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