Freelance writers and journalists looking for ways to bring diversity into their reporting have a new tool at their disposal.
Request A Woman Scientist helps journalists find scientific expertise from women for everything from interviews and panel discussions to workshops and conference keynotes.
The site was created by 500 Women Scientists, a grassroots organization based in the U.S. that’s working to build community and advocate for science, women, and minorities. The Request a Women Scientist project aims to close the pervasive gender gap in the media and on conference panels — research shows that men’s and women’s voices are not equally represented when it comes to expert sources quoted in news stories.
Request A Woman Scientist allows users to narrow down searches by location, field of expertise, and level of education. It also allows searchers to seek out women scientists from other underrepresented groups
The website also suggests a number of additional resources to help journalists diversity their reporting, including the website Diverse Sources — a database of science, health and environment experts from underrepresented backgrounds — and Women Also Know Stuff, which promotes and publicizes the work of women political scientists.