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November 2006
Keeping
science in the news
David Hosansky to head media relations
David Hosansky
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After six months of serving as acting head of media relations,
David Hosansky has been chosen to lead the media effort in
Communications on a permanent basis. A national search by
a diverse committee that included scientists and information
professionals from across the organization resulted in David’s
selection.
“We’re delighted to have David serving at the
helm of our media efforts,” says Lucy Warner, director
of Communications. “He’s got lots of energy and
new ideas, and because of his background as a reporter, he
really understands journalists’ needs.”
With media coverage of climate change increasing dramatically
in frequency and scope, David and colleagues in Communications
work to ensure that NCAR research rises above the din to
garner significant attention.
For example, when Claudia Tebaldi (ISSE/CGD/IMAGe) and colleagues
completed a study about the impact of climate change on extreme
weather events (see cover story), the Communications team
swung into action. The ensuing news release last month got
picked up by the Associated Press, the Los Angeles Times,
and other media organizations, and was soon spotted by researchers
and policy makers. Within a week, scientists in the United
States and overseas asked for copies of the paper, staffers
in two Senate offices interviewed Claudia about her findings,
and former Vice President Al Gore used figures from the research
for a talk in Seattle.
“It’s always gratifying to persuade the media
to cover important research,” David says. “News
coverage raises public awareness about our science, and it
helps keep policy makers informed. Coverage of our climate
work is booming, but reporters are also interested in a wide
spectrum of our research.”
One of David’s top goals is to offer more events to
the media, such as teleconferences in which scientists discuss
recent findings with reporters across the country. He also
wants to create visually striking, three-dimensional graphics
of key research results that, in addition to being reprinted
in newspapers, on television, and on the Web, can be used
by scientists when they make conference presentations. Another
goal is to put a greater emphasis on media training to help
scientists become more comfortable during interviews.
As NCAR and UCAR continue to get favorable attention from
the media, David hopes that more researchers keep him posted
on their studies. “I always want to hear what scientists
are working on,” he says. “Even if it’s
not likely to be of interest to the media, we’re always
looking to write about important science in Staff Notes Monthly,
UCAR Quarterly, or on our Web pages.”
David joined Communications in 2001, editing Staff Notes
Monthly. Before then, he worked as a newspaper and magazine
reporter, garnering several state and national awards.
In this issue...
NCAR
scientists predict a warmer, wetter Earth
The
end of the world as we know it?
“A
New Light on Science”
Keeping
science in the news
Short Takes
Random
Profile: Chrystina Tasset
Delphi
Question: Webhire formatting issues
Just One Look
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