Jessica Steventon awarded British Science Association Media Fellowship

Dr Jessica Steventon, a Research Fellow at the Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, has been awarded a Media Fellowship by the British Science Association.

The Media Fellowships provide a unique opportunity for practising scientists to spend up to six weeks working at a media outlet and learn how they operate and report on science, how best to communicate with the media and how to use the media to engage the wider public with science.

As well as mentoring from professional journalists, the Fellows are also invited the annual British Science Festival where they work alongside media organisations from all over the UK in a dedicated press centre.

“As a neuroscientist I feel it’s my responsibility to engage with the media and communicate my research to a wider audience” said Dr Jessica Steventon. “I’m delighted that my application has been successful and I hope the experience will give me the confidence and skills to work with the media throughout my scientific career.”

Dr Steventon’s current research area is focused on understanding the beneficial effects of exercise on the brain using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with a focus on Huntington’s disease. The long-term aim of her research, which is funded by The Waterloo Foundation, is to understand whether exercise can be used as a therapeutic tool to reduce symptoms in people with neurological disorders.

Professor Jeremy Hall, Director of the Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute said “This is a fantastic achievement for Dr Steventon. The media plays a key role in communicating the findings of scientific research and so developing the skills and confidence to engage effectively journalists is an increasingly important attribute for today’s scientists.”

Dr Steventon’s placement is funded by The Wellcome Trust and will begin in August. She will work with openDemocracy, an independent media platform which seeks to challenge power and encourage democratic debate across the world through reporting and analysis of social and political issues.