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. The triumph and fallibility of science in a historic year

    Editor in chief Nancy Shute discusses the last year in science, including lessons we've learned about COVID-19, human evolution and amazing animal feats.

  2. Rethinking psychedelics and mental health

    Editor in chief Nancy Shute discusses the growing scientific interest in psychedelics as a treatment for mental health problems such as depression and PTSD

  3. How analogies can make complex science clear

    Editor in chief Nancy Shute discusses how analogies can help break down complex science concepts, such as a new particle accelerator that will search for rare isotopes.

  4. Good things come to astronomers who wait

    Editor in chief Nancy Shute discusses the long-awaited launch of the James Webb Space Telescope and an update on our SN 10: Scientists to Watch.

  5. What can science tell us about living a good life?

    Editor in chief Nancy Shute discusses what science can tell us about finding fulfillment, even in disastrous times

  6. Creating a ‘science of us’ has been a contentious effort

    Editor in chief Nancy Shute discusses the evolution of behavioral science research over the past century.

  7. A century of exploring the endless final frontier

    Editor in chief Nancy Shute discusses a century of astronomy and scientists' search for worlds beyond our own

  8. Tasking trees with averting the climate crisis is a big ask

    Editor in chief Nancy Shute discusses whether planting trees can help us avert the climate crisis, or if it is another quick-fix gimmick.

  9. How test tube babies went mainstream

    Editor in chief Nancy Shute discusses the history of assisted reproductive technologies, which has made parenthood possible for millions of people.

  10. When Science News readers talk, we listen

    Editor in chief Nancy Shute discusses the wonderful feedback we receive from our readers.

  11. When attacks on science threaten our survival

    Editor in chief Nancy Shute reflects on the proliferation of false information and the importance of combating its spread.

  12. Enchanted by black holes? We are, too

    Editor in chief Nancy Shute discusses the new image of a black hole's magnetic fields and our coverage of the enchanting beasts over the years.