Career as Science Journalist | Aswathi Pacha

Career Konnect Q&A: Science Storyteller with Aswathi Pacha

Job Profile: Science Journalist

Guest: Aswathi Pacha

Hosts: Pragya Gupta, Nikhil Kumar Dulcian, Ramya

Q1: Welcome, Aswathi! Can you tell us a bit about your journey, especially your significant career shift from an aspiring scientist to a science journalist?

Aswathi Pacha: Hi everyone! As mentioned, I initially aimed to be an award-winning scientist. After my Master’s in Marine Sciences, I joined as a junior research fellow, preparing for PhD entrance exams. It was during this period of uncertainty that a colleague told me about a science journalism workshop organized by IISER Pune and British Council. That was the first time I’d ever heard the term! I applied, got selected, and attended two levels of workshops. They taught us everything from reading research papers and breaking them down to understanding our audience and incorporating storytelling. After the workshop, I decided to explore this alternate career, interned at The Hindu for nine months, and then joined as a sub-editor. Four years later, I moved to the Indian Express. It was a significant but very timely shift.

Q2: That sounds like a big change! How was your initial experience in the newsroom at The Hindu, especially coming from a lab environment? What challenges did you face?

Aswathi Pacha: When I joined, I had almost no clue what it was like, apart from that two-week workshop. A newsroom is a lively place, very different from a lab! I was incredibly lucky to have Dr. Prasad, the science editor at The Hindu, as my mentor. In the beginning, it was very difficult. I’d pitch five papers, and he’d patiently explain why three wouldn’t work, or point out if a journal was predatory, or if the paper was too old. He’d narrow it down to one story and then guide me, saying, “Don’t write as a scientist, write as a reporter. Imagine you’re telling this experiment to a child or your mother.” Dropping the scientific jargon was the biggest challenge; I still often have to explain terms or use comparisons. Those initial days were tough, but with his guidance, it became a smooth ride.

Q3: Science communication often involves wearing many hats – writing, publishing, managing social media, videos, all with strict deadlines. How do you manage this multitasking and deal with the stress?

Aswathi Pacha: Stress comes with every job, right? I think the main thing is that I genuinely enjoy what I do, and that takes care of most of it. For social media and video production, we have dedicated teams. It’s largely teamwork, which is incredibly helpful in managing the workload and deadlines.

Q4: Does having a science background, like yours, provide an advantage in curating science stories for a general audience?

Aswathi Pacha: Yes, absolutely. My background in biology, especially microbiology and marine sciences, definitely helps when writing articles related to those fields. If it’s about chemistry, physics, or astronomy, I have to spend hours reading to understand it. However, a science background instills critical thinking and curiosity. You’re tuned to ask more questions and are intrigued by new findings. So, while I’m learning new topics every day, that foundational critical thinking from the lab helps immensely.

Q5: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted many professions. How was your experience as a science journalist during the pandemic? Did you face any particular hurdles or, perhaps, find new benefits?

Aswathi Pacha: COVID-19 made us all work from home. While I missed meeting scientists in person, a big positive was that many science conferences moved online. This gave us much easier access to presentations and research globally. So, overall, the COVID period was manageable. I didn’t face major hurdles, and in some ways, the increased online interaction made it easier to connect with scientists, even if they were busy.

Q6: You mentioned connecting with scientists. In the beginning, you faced challenges getting replies. What are your tips for aspiring science journalists on successfully engaging with researchers and getting the information you need?

Aswathi Pacha: In the beginning, my emails from “intern at The Hindu” often went unanswered! Now it’s different. Prasad sir always stressed, “Ask the right questions – questions that make the researcher want to answer.” I’ve stopped sending generic emails like “Hi, I enjoyed your paper, can we talk?” Now, I’m direct: “Hi, this is nice work. Here are 10 specific questions I have. Please answer.” When you ask the right questions, you get the right answers. There have been rejections and ghosting, but one positive response, like a scientist retweeting your work or a kid saying they loved your article about dinosaurs, provides all the motivation you need to keep going.

Q7: What are the key skills or criteria one should cultivate to be a successful science communicator or journalist? Any practical tips for our listeners?

Aswathi Pacha: First and foremost, be curious. Be ready to learn, read more, and write more. These skills improve with practice. If you’re serious about science journalism, start pitching to magazines or newspapers, talk to scientists, and try to understand their work. Even starting a blog and consistently writing can be incredibly beneficial. You’ll learn how to phrase things better, especially when you get feedback. So, yes, be curious, ask questions, read, and write. And be humble – feedback is crucial for improvement.

Q8: You’ve recently covered a lot on climate change. What’s your perspective on reporting this critical global crisis, especially in light of misinformation?

Aswathi Pacha: Climate change is real, it’s happening, and it’s happening now. We need more comprehensive reporting on it. I recently learned at a training that we need to shift from just a “doom and gloom” narrative, reporting only when an event like a forest fire or flood occurs. We need to convey that it’s a daily phenomenon, deserving of a daily column to inform people about what’s happening globally. It’s more than just plastic pollution or global warming; it encompasses drastic weather changes, frequent natural calamities, and complex issues like permafrost thawing. It’s vital to counter fake news and clarify what this “climate crisis” truly means to the general public.

Q9: When you’re writing an article, what’s your thought process, and what are your primary sources for fact-checking and generating ideas?

Aswathi Pacha: My thought process always involves putting the common person’s perspective first. My primary sources are obviously published papers and press releases. Social media, especially Twitter, has become incredibly helpful. Many scientists are active there, sharing their published papers and even explaining their research in clear, engaging threads. I often reach out to them via social media to discuss their work further. Conference presentations are also great sources for new findings that I can follow up on.

Q10: Finally, Aswathi, what are your parting words of encouragement for our audience and listeners who are considering a career in science journalism?

Aswathi Pacha: Definitely take up science journalism! I see so many kids today becoming great communicators on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels, telling science stories effectively. If you’re passionate about it, just start reading and writing. You’ll get there, perhaps even quicker than I did, without taking the roundabout route. There are dedicated courses on science journalism now, which I wasn’t aware of back then, so seriously consider those. But even if you have a non-science background, like B.Com or BBA, and you love science, it’s never too late to switch. Your passion is what matters!

Will you be interested in reading Aswathi’s science journalism journey? Read here: Aswathi Pacha: The Journey from Lab to Press