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Finding Scientist Sources

Section 1 of 6

No scientific insight comes in a vacuum. That’s why speaking with expert sources is key when writing about science. Scientist sources can help you understand technical concepts and data. They can explain the research relevant to a debate, event, or claim. And they can share anecdotes and details that will add depth and texture to your story.

Finding Outside Sources

When writing about a scientific study, it’s useful to talk to not only a study’s authors, but also to
other experts in their field, often known as outside sources. Here’s how to find them:

Study Author Recommendations
Study authors can point you toward other potential sources who do relevant research that informs their work.
Reference Section Research

Scanning a study’s references section can help you find researchers doing relevant work, as can perusing related journals and keywords in databases like PubMed, ScienceDirect, or Google Scholar.

University Connections

Get to know a few university public information officers (PIOs) anywhere that does research related to your beat. They can tip you off to new research and can help get you connected when reporting stories.

Finding Diverse Sources

It’s always a good idea to seek out sources whose perspective on your story’s science might be underrepresented. Here are some quick steps you can take to make diverse sourcing a habit in your science reporting:

Recognize Your Biases

Consider where you can find opportunities to talk to people who are less likely to be quoted and consulted in reporting on a given topic.

Seek Underrepresented Voices

Recognize biases and patterns in your sourcing. You can do this informally, or by keeping track of information about your sources.

Expand Your Source Network

Diversify your sources by searching scientist databases, social media accounts and hashtags, and affinity organizations in STEM, as well as consulting with sources, colleagues, public information officers, and expert-referral services such as SciLine.

Redefine Expertise

Broaden your definition of “expert.” Don’t limit your sources to a study’s first author or a well-known professor just because you’re writing about science.

Expand Your Idea of Expertise

Even in the realm of science, expertise can take many forms. Thinking creatively about who has relevant knowledge about your topic can lead you to someone with an important, perhaps overlooked perspective. Spin our expert wheel or click on an expert and consider: Who might be a source for your story?

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Emailing Scientist Sources

In making first contact with a scientist source, it’s important to be clear and succinct. Share who you are, what the piece is about, your interest in interviewing them, how much time you’d need for a conversation, and when you need them to respond by.

Just like with other sources, flagging your email with “media request,” “journalist inquiry,” or “timely”—and including the name of your publication, if they’re likely to know it—will help you get a response more quickly.

Here are two email templates you can use to draft interview requests with scientists: 

Template 1: For a Study Author

New Message
Recipients
Cc Bcc
Media Inquiry: Interview request for [publication]

Dear [Dr. Author],

My name is [name], and I’m a freelance journalist on assignment for [publication, with hyperlink and information about the outlet’s audience and focus if it is not well-known]. I would like to interview you about your latest findings and work in [paper title] for a [article type] article. Do you have any availability this [days] ([specific time windows] [time zone])? We can talk by [Zoom/Skype/phone].

Thanks,
[name]
[phone number]

Template 2: For an Outside Source

New Message
Recipients
Cc Bcc
Media Inquiry: Interview request for [publication]

Dear [Dr. Author],

My name is [name], and I’m a freelance journalist currently on assignment with [publication, with hyperlink if not well-known]. I am writing a story about a new study published in [journal] about [finding/summary; hyperlink to study]. I’m reaching out because of your work on [topic of interest], especially [somewhat recent paper]. I was wondering if you’d be willing to look over the attached paper and share your thoughts with me. [If applicable] Please note that this paper is under embargo until [date]. Do you have any availability this [day] ([specific time windows] [time zone])? We can talk by [Zoom/Skype/phone].

Thanks,
[name]
[phone number]

Reaching Reluctant Scientists

There are many reasons a scientist might hesitate to grant your interview request—and many
ways you can respond, or pivot and still report a great story.

1/
Concerns about misrepresentation

They may have concerns about whether their words and ideas will be represented fairly and accurately.
Scientists often communicate very carefully and precisely, and may worry that media stories could oversimplify or overhype their work. It’s valuable to demonstrate that you’ve done your homework and are interested in capturing important nuances. Explaining how you (or your editors) will fact-check the story can also build your source’s confidence that you want to get the science right.

2/
Constraints from above

Researchers affiliated with certain institutions or government agencies may face restrictions on speaking with the media. They may also be required to seek prior approval from superiors, and/or to have a public information officer (PIO) sit in on interviews. Or they may be prohibited from speaking
with reporters altogether.
How to handle such constraints depends on the circumstances. In some cases, going through the channels needed to get permission to speak with the researcher may be the only way to get the interview. If the timeline or terms of an interview aren’t acceptable for you, you might have to decide whether to give up on speaking with that scientist or (if the situation warrants it) to offer them the chance to speak to you anonymously or on background.

3/
Lack of media training

A scientist may be hesitant to speak with a reporter if they have not had training on how to effectively communicate with the public. They may fear that they’ll misspeak or otherwise cause damage to their reputation or institution.
Acknowledge the researcher’s discomfort and let them know that you understand that talking with reporters is not part of their usual daily routine. Reassure them that you’ll do your best to make the conversation a comfortable one, and that your goal is to get an accurate understanding of their work and ideas. You can also mention that if needed, you’re happy to follow up with clarification questions after the interview.

4/
Not the right expertise

A scientist may be hesitant to speak to a reporter on a particular subject if they feel they may not have quite the right expertise to speak about that subject.
Let the scientist know why you’re reaching out to them specifically—for example, because a particular colleague referred you to them, or because you’ve read about a certain piece of their research. It’s also often helpful to clarify what ground the interview will cover (and what it won’t). In some cases, you may realize that they aren’t the right person—if that’s the case, ask them if they can recommend other sources with expertise more relevant to your story.

5/
Too busy

A researcher may simply tell you that they don’t have time for an interview.
Don’t take it personally—this happens! But don’t necessarily give up. One tactful way to handle this situation is to let them know that you understand and that you’re happy to accommodate their schedule. You might tell them that even 10 or 15 minutes of their time would be helpful. If your newsroom policy allows it, offer them an asynchronous option such as sending questions via email or exchanging voice memos.

6/
Fear of backlash

Speaking with the media can expose scientists to scrutiny from their peers, especially if their statements are perceived as advocacy and/or if the work concerns a contentious topic. Some researchers may be reluctant to speak with reporters out of concern for professional or personal repercussions.
Recognize that this concern is valid. (Historically, some scientists have faced harassment or professional backlash for public engagement or media appearances.) It can be helpful to explain how their expertise can contribute to improved public understanding of their area of research, or of science in general. You can also offer researchers ways to maintain a sense of control over the process through which they’ll engage with you, such as the scope and length of the conversation and the terms under which it will occur (On background? Anonymous? Off the record?).

7/
Embargo worries

Scientists are sometimes concerned about speaking with reporters about research that is embargoed until a paper’s publication date.
It helps to reassure scientists that you are committed to upholding the journal’s embargo policy—that your reputation is on the line too! It’s acceptable and common for scientists to speak with reporters about findings under an embargo as long as everyone agrees to honor the policy.

8/
Radio silence

Unfortunately, it’s fairly common to not receive a response at all to your first (or second) emailed interview request. Or, a source may ultimately decline after you try some of the strategies above.
If your first attempt to reach a scientist is unsuccessful, try at least once more in case the first request got buried. (Include your deadline in the subject line.) If you’re seeking outside sources, it helps to contact several possibilities at once to increase the chance you’ll hear back from someone.

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