What happens when scientists, journalists, and communities collaborate? A look inside a new report

On this episode of Questions of the Day, I sit down with Sarah Armour-Jones and Catherine Devine to unpack a new report titled Writing the Story of Civic Science Media, supported by the Rita Allen Foundation. The conversation explores how scientists, journalists, and community members are forging partnerships to co-create stories—not just about science, but about community priorities. “Civic science media provides us with a chance to sort of write a new story of science,” says Sarah. “You have a home in this work,” she emphasizes, inviting practitioners, funders, and scholars into an emerging field grounded in collaboration and storytelling.

Together, they discuss the challenges of cross-field partnerships—limited funding, short timelines, and siloed professional norms—and the importance of building “connective tissue” across disciplines. “Projects are really successful when they are hyperlocal, and collaborators already know each other,” Catherine explains. From Detroit to Puerto Rico, the report documents examples where media acts as a bridge, fostering trust and shaping policy. With a new round of civic science media grants now open, the episode offers both an invitation and a roadmap for those ready to step into this evolving space.

Why it matters: Traditional approaches to science communication often isolate researchers, journalists, and community voices. Civic science media champions a model where all three co-create stories grounded in shared local priorities. As Sarah puts it, “science is not just something we observe, but… something that we shape together.”

By the numbers: 12 pilot grants were awarded in the first round of the program, each at $15,000. Projects spanned topics from air quality to climate storytelling and AI ethics. The new grant cycle for civic science journalism crossfield collaborations offers up to 15 months of support, hands-on coaching, and a clear rubric for applicants

Zooming out: This work is part of a broader movement to rebuild public trust in science and journalism. As Catherine explains, civic science media “can be such a trust builder.” Sarah expands by saying that “it’s not just the science informing the community… all of the bodies—science, the media makers, and communities—are all informing one another. So it’s really multi-directional.”

Between the lines: The phrase “you have a home in this work” reflects an invitation to those who have potentially felt stuck between disciplines—science-art hybrids, community organizers, or journalists wanting to do more than report. This space is being intentionally built for them.

Key follow-up question: If a centralized and searchable platform were constructed to map civic science journalism cross-field initiatives, what should it track?

References
(1) New Report: Writing the Story of Civic Science Media – https://ritaallen.org/stories/the-story-of-civic-science-media/
(2) Writing a New Story of Science (Blog) – https://civicsciencefellows.org/stories/writing-a-new-story-of-science/
(3) Civic Science Journalism Collaborations: A look at 12 experimental projects – https://collaborativejournalism.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Rita-Allen-civic-science-report.pdf

How to cite the conversation:
Armour-Jones, S., Devine, C., & Muindi, FJ. What happens when scientists, journalists, and communities collaborate? A look inside a new report. Civic Science Television Network. (Video) (June 9, 2025). https://youtu.be/iwD71fGuFkU

Fanuel Muindi

Fanuel Muindi is a former neuroscientist turned civic science ethnographer. He is a professor of the practice in the Department of Communication Studies within the College of Arts, Media, and Design at Northeastern University, where he leads the Civic Science Media Lab. Dr. Muindi received his Bachelor’s degree in Biology and PhD in Organismal Biology from Morehouse College and Stanford University, respectively. He completed his postdoctoral training at MIT.