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. Sticking to our mission: covering science writ large

    The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has suddenly overturned every corner of life, editor in chief Nancy Shute writes.

  2. When coronavirus is both work and worry

    Our editor in chief Nancy Shute discusses what it's like to cover the current coronavirus pandemic.

  3. When data points have their own opinions

  4. Modern-day oracles with a supercomputer

  5. When a new virus breaks

    We’ve been covering the novel coronavirus outbreak from the beginning, with multiple reporters tracking down answers to questions readers may have and asking a lot of questions of our own.

  6. Pain opens the door for dubious stem cell treatments

  7. Scientists embrace a cathedral’s rebirth

    Editor in Chief Nancy Shute discusses the science behind restoring Notre Dame's unique sound.

  8. Our take on this year’s big science newsmakers

    Editor in Chief Nancy Shute discusses the top science stories of the year.

  9. When reading Science News is the habit of a lifetime

    Editor in Chief Nancy Shute talks about Kevin W. Parker, a longtime Science News subscriber.

  10. Problem solving and the power of humankind

    Editor in Chief Nancy Shute discusses the AIDS epidemic and a woman who helped define the limits of mathematical understanding in the 20th century.

  11. Fighting poverty and the deep roots of inequality

    Editor in Chief Nancy Shute discusses income inequality from the Bronze Age to modern day.

  12. Scientists who aren’t afraid to range across disciplines

    Editor in Chief Nancy Shute discusses 10 early- and mid-career scientists who are making cross-disciplinary connections.