Through professional speaking, teaching, and mentorship I enjoy sharing my expertise in science journalism with others: general assignment reporters pivoting to the science beat, scientists seeking media training, students at any stage in their writing journeys, and everyone in between. 

I specialize in magazine journalism, freelance business strategy, and media commentary for U.S. and international audiences.

Running a media training for scientists at the Complexity Science Hub in Vienna, Austria.

I’m available to: 

  • Consult on editorial strategies

  • Deliver keynote addresses

  • Moderate and speak on panels   

  • Run communication workshops for scientists

  • Judge writing competitions 

  • Teach undergraduate and graduate courses

  • Guest lecture

  • Offer media commentary

And if you have something in mind not listed here, let’s chat!

Testimonials

“Julia spoke on one of our panels for freelance writers, to help people find work on Twitter. She was warm and practical, offering humor while still walking people through tangible steps that they could take to build their own networks. Julia is definitely a born teacher, and I'd highly recommend bringing her into your organization as a speaker,” says Jenni Gritters, writer, editor, business coach, and co-founder of The Writer’s Co-op.

“I had the pleasure of attending Julia Sklar's science journalism workshop in Vienna. I can confidently say that she is a highly skilled and knowledgeable science journalist. I highly recommend her to all scientists and researchers seeking to enhance their media skills. Julia's presentation was engaging and well-prepared, and she provided valuable insights into interviews and promoting scientific projects and publications. Her passion for science journalism shone through, and it was truly inspiring to learn from her,” says Elma Dervic, resident scientist at Complexity Science Hub Vienna.

“Julia has been instrumental in the success of our 3-Minute Thesis competition, serving as a judge since the project began in 2020. Performing  (and, on the other end, judging) the competition is a formidable and rather intimidating task as participants must explain their theses in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience –in just 180 seconds! Utilizing her keen journalistic skills, Julia served on a panel of judges from top media outlets, including NPR and Science Magazine, to ensure the presentations were clear and concise despite covering a number of complex issues. Julia is a key component in helping anthropologists reach out, and be understood by, the general public,” says Jeff Martin, director of communications and public affairs for the American Anthropological Association.

Select Experience

Keynote Speaker, Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre

I gave the keynote address to academy members, opening a conference on navigating music education online during the COVID-19 pandemic, after the publication of my National Geographic story "'Zoom fatigue' is taxing the brain, here's why that happens,".

Keynote Speaker, Florida International University

I gave the keynote address on how to report a viral piece of science journalism, after the publication of my National Geographic story, "'Zoom fatigue' is taxing the brain, here's why that happens," for the Global Strategic Communication Graduate Program Speaker Series.

Adjunct Faculty, Graduate Program in Science Writing, The Johns Hopkins University

I teach the foundational master's level course, "Science Narratives Workshop.”

Science Writing and Communication Instructor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I taught an online science journalism course to high school students from under-resourced school districts, through a STEM-focused summer program at MIT.

Guest Lecturer, Emerson College

I gave a talk on the business of freelancing to undergraduates in the class, “Digital Publishing.” On a separate occasion, I gave a talk on how to launch new multimedia and social media strategies at legacy publications to undergraduates in the class, "Publishing Management and Innovation."

Workshop Leader, Complexity Science Hub Vienna

I organized and ran a media training workshop for a group of 15 scientists ranging from early career with beginner media experience to mid-career with advanced media experience. Separately, I also ran a communication workshop for scientists, using the “three-minute thesis” model, to practice giving concise explanations of their research to a lay person.

Panelist, The Writers’ Co-op

Spoke on a panel for a webinar on finding work through Twitter as a freelance journalist.

Panel Moderator, Venture Cafe

After the publication of my Boston Globe article, "Will you eat lab grown meat? Your pet will," I moderated a panel of four, including veterinarians and pet nutrition innovators.

Judge, American Anthropological Association

I judge a Three-Minute Thesis competition annually, for which graduate students submit videos presenting engaging, pithy explanations of their research. The panel of judges—other science journalists—vote on a winner, and submit feedback for the students about effective science communication.

Guest, ABC Action News

Appeared live on Philadelphia's ABC affiliate news station to discuss my viral National Geographic story "'Zoom fatigue' is taxing the brain, here's why that happens" with news anchor Sarah Bloomquist.

Guest, KCBS Radio

Appeared live on San Francisco's CBS affiliate radio station to discuss my viral National Geographic story "'Zoom fatigue' is taxing the brain, here's why that happens" with news anchors Jeff Bell and Patti Riesing.

Mentor, Empowerment Avenue

I mentor writers who are incarcerated and reporting from inside prisons. Together, we workshop story ideas, edit drafts, and pitch their stories to editors.

Mentor, The Uproot Project

Mentor early-career journalists on a yearlong environmental reporting project.