Nancy Shute joined the staff in February 2018 as the editor in chief of Science News. Shute is a science journalist in print, digital and broadcast, and a lecturer and trainer in science writing and multimedia journalism. She is a past president of the National Association of Science Writers, the United States’ largest and oldest science writing membership organization. Before joining Science News, Shute was cohost of NPR’s health blog, Shots, and contributed news coverage and radio features to NPR’s All Things Considered and Morning Edition. She also has written for national publications, including National Geographic and Scientific American. While serving as assistant managing editor at U.S. News & World Report, Shute led the magazine’s award-winning coverage of science and technology. As a senior writer for U.S. News, she led group investigations and reporting projects, and authored dozens of cover stories. Shute trains journalists and scientists in the uses of social media and other new media technologies. She taught science writing at Johns Hopkins University’s Advanced Academic Programs. Additionally, Shute has been a science writer in residence at the University of Wisconsin, and guest lecturer at major universities, including Columbia, NYU, the University of Maryland, Georgetown and the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Trustworthy journalism comes at a price.
Scientists and journalists share a core belief in questioning, observing and verifying to reach the truth. Science News reports on crucial research and discovery across science disciplines. We need your financial support to make it happen – every contribution makes a difference.
All Stories by Nancy Shute
-
Neuroscience
Brain discoveries open doors to new treatments
Editor in Chief Nancy Shute discusses the history of neuroscience and new techniques scientists are using to influence the brain.
-
Planetary Science
We spent New Year’s Eve in the Kuiper Belt
Editor in Chief Nancy Shute discusses Science News' coverage of NASA's New Horizons spacecraft's flyby of Ultima Thule.
-
Science & Society
The periodic table remains essential after 150 years
Editor in Chief Nancy Shute reflects on the 150th anniversary of the invention of the periodic table by Dmitrii Mendeleev.
-
Science & Society
To assemble a Top 10 list, Science News starts in June
Editor in Chief Nancy Shute discusses creating Science News' annual Top 10 science stories of the year.
-
Science & Society
Seeking a panacea in the gut’s microbiome
Editor in Chief Nancy Shute discusses the potential role of the gut microbiome in Parkinson's disease and one reporter's connection to the story.
-
Science & Society
Do you know how your drinking water is treated?
Editor in Chief Nancy Shute discusses drinking water quality in the United States and the latest research on water treatment technology.
-
Science & Society
Screen time to heal, and perhaps to harm
Editor in Chief Nancy Shute reflects on the advances in virtual reality technology and how much time we spend on our computers and smartphones.
-
Science & Society
Waking up early to cover science’s biggest honor
Editor in Chief Nancy Shute discusses how the Science News editors and reporters cover the Nobel Prizes each year.
-
Science & Society
Celebrating successes while examining failures
Editor in Chief Nancy Shute discusses this year's 10 scientists to watch and the ups and downs of the scientific endeavor.
-
Science & Society
Building big experiments to study very little things
Editor in Chief Nancy Shute discusses our behind the scenes look at the giant equipment used to study the smallest bits of matter.
-
Astronomy
To boldly go where no robot explorer has gone before
Editor in Chief Nancy Shute discusses the importance of robotic space missions for scientific research.
-
Science & Society
The trouble with water, be it too much or too little
Editor in Chief Nancy Shute discusses the future of water and global issues associated with water scarcity and rising sea levels.