Elizabeth Quill

Elizabeth Quill

Executive Editor, 2015-2024

Elizabeth Quill is former executive editor of Science News. During two periods at the magazine, from 2008 to 2013 and again from 2015 to 2024, she edited stories and special projects on topics ranging from public health to AI, from climate change to quantum physics. She managed the SN 10: Scientists to Watch list and the Century of Science project and served as editorial coordinator for the Science News Learning program. Originally from the Finger Lakes region of New York, Elizabeth studied journalism at Ithaca College and received her master’s degree in science writing from MIT.

All Stories by Elizabeth Quill

  1. Science & Society

    In play, kids and scientists take big mental leaps

    Acting Editor in Chief Elizabeth Quill explores the science behind children's play and how kids like to mimic the same things adults do.

  2. Science & Society

    Memory remains elusive, but the search continues

    Acting Editor in Chief Elizabeth Quill explores the history of memory and scientists' search for its physical trace in our brains.

  3. Science & Society

    We’ll be watching the skies, plus a lot more, this year

    Acting Editor in Chief Elizabeth Quill predicts 2018 could be a year full of important space discoveries.

  4. Science & Society

    2017 delivered humility, and proved our potential

    Acting Editor in Chief Elizabeth Quill reflects on some of the top scientific stories of 2017.

  5. Science & Society

    Would you opt to see the future or decipher the past?

    Acting Editor in Chief Elizabeth Quill wonders what it would be like if scientists could see into the past and the future.

  6. Science & Society

    In science, some big risks are worth the rewards

    Acting Editor in Chief Elizabeth Quill says scientists sometimes take risks that can lead to significant rewards and important discoveries.

  7. Animals

    Great praise for categories, and seeing beyond them

    Acting Editor in Chief Elizabeth Quill discusses classification and some of the challenges of putting species in categorical boxes.

  8. Science & Society

    Conspiring with engineers helps make science great

    Acting Editor in Chief Elizabeth Quill says the passion to acquire knowledge and apply it lives in both engineers and scientists.

  9. Science & Society

    Success in science depends on luck, plus much more

    Acting Editor in Chief Elizabeth Quill says luck is only one determinant of an individual's success in science.

  10. Tech

    Nature offers inspiration, and occasionally courage

    Acting Editor in Chief Elizabeth Quill discusses how nature can inspire people to make long-lasting change.

  11. Science & Society

    Learning is a ubiquitous, mysterious phenomenon

    Acting Editor in Chief Elizabeth Quill talks about the science of learning and how our brains process new knowledge.

  12. Science & Society

    Patience is one virtue scientists must embrace

    Acting Editor in Chief Elizabeth Quill discusses how being patient isn't always easy in scientific work.