Nancy Shute

Editor in Chief

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.

All Stories by Nancy Shute

  1. Why this warmer world is not just a passing phase

    Editor in Chief Nancy Shute discusses climate change and the uncertainty of science.

  2. Science & Society

    You’re only as old as you perceive yourself to be

    Editor in Chief Nancy Shute discusses how people’s attitudes about aging can impact our physical health.

  3. Astronomy

    After all this time, the moon still manages to surprise us

    Editor in Chief Nancy Shute discusses 50 years of lunar science.

  4. Science & Society

    Science hasn’t managed to span the diagnosis gap

    Editor in Chief Nancy Shute discusses how scientists are devising better diagnostic tools to detect diseases.

  5. Health & Medicine

    Resurgence of measles is a tale as old as human history

    Editor in Chief Nancy Shute discusses the recent global measles outbreak and the history of the spread of pathogens.

  6. Science & Society

    Celebrating scientists who ask big questions

    Editor in Chief Nancy Shute discusses scientists who are asking important questions for society.

  7. Science & Society

    Introducing the Transparency Project

    The Transparency Project aims to be more open and accountable to readers by explaining key coverage decisions and showing how science journalism happens.

  8. Astronomy

    Seeing very far away and hitting closer to home

    Editor in Chief Nancy Shute discusses the first-ever image of a black hole and what can be done to help young children with anxiety.

  9. Science & Society

    The delight of discovering an asteroid that spits

    Editor in Chief Nancy Shute discusses recent news about the asteroid Bennu and Kuiper Belt–object Ultima Thule.

  10. Science & Society

    The science of CBD lags behind its marketing

    Editor in Chief Nancy Shute discusses the lack of scientific research on CBD.

  11. Science & Society

    How newsy science becomes Science News

    Editor in Chief Nancy Shute discusses how a news story makes it into Science News magazine.

  12. Science & Society

    Scientists set sail for the elusive island of stability

    Editor in Chief Nancy Shute discusses the search for the island of stability and the future of the periodic table.