Founding president, freelance science journalist and long-time proponent of the Australian science journalism ecosystem Bianca Nogrady has been named the first Life Member of the Science Journalists Association of Australia.
Nogrady served as president of the SJAA from inception in 2019 until September 2023, jumping over all the administrative hurdles and through the regulatory hoops to build the Association from scratch.
During her tenure, she spearheaded the creation of the Association’s hugely successful grants program, which has now awarded $23,000 in funding to Australian science journalists.
“Helping make SJAA a reality and seeing it grow into such a fantastic and supportive group has been hugely rewarding and I reckon is one of the best things I’ve done in my career. So getting made a Life Member is just the icing on an already fabulous cake,” Nogrady said.
The origins of the SJAA can be traced back to conversations that began more than a decade ago at the Strawberry Hills Hotel in Sydney. In 2018, at the Quantum Words science writing festival, things properly started to click into place.
“We realised that actually, we did need an organisation that focused on the interests and needs of science journalists, because when we got together as a group it was damn fun and interesting,” Nogrady said.
By November 2019, and with the help of the founding committee, the SJAA was born. Of course, then COVID – or “that spiky little viral bastard”, as Nogrady calls it – showed up.
As the SJAA approaches its fifth year, the current Committee voted to recognise Nogrady’s achievements in building and steering the Association through that tumultuous period, establishing its wildly successful Grants program and securing partnerships with our Champions of Science Journalism.
“I’m thrilled to name Bianca as a Life Member in recognition for her role in shaping the SJAA’s formation and creating an environment that allowed a supportive and engaged membership base to thrive,” said Jackson Ryan, President of the SJAA.
“And to be honest, making her a Life Member is actually a little bit selfish! In practical terms, she never has to pay for membership again… but really it’s just a way to make sure she never leaves us and continues to provide guidance, mentorship and friendship to our members for the rest of her life!”
Nogrady stepped down from the presidency in September 2023. She remains on the Committee in 2023-24 and her invaluable experience continues to help guide the Association as it looks to grow and strengthen its support for voices, old and new, in the community.
The Science Journalists Association of Australia supports and fosters the professional interests of practising and aspiring science journalists in Australia, and advocates for independence and excellence in science journalism. If you’d like to join, visit our membership portal right here.