A NSW Government website

NSW Government
Chief Scientist & Engineer

Australian Science Media Centre

The NSW Government has sponsored the Australian Science Media Centre (AusSMC) since 2008. This funding is currently managed by the Office of the Chief Scientist & Engineer (OCSE).

AusSMC is an independent, not-for-profit news media service supporting accurate, evidence-based science reporting. AusSMC provides a 'one-stop shop' for journalists seeking guidance on scientific matters, with access to latest science news, briefings and expert advice. It also gives researchers the opportunity to showcase and explain their work directly to journalists when their subject makes headlines.

The service provided by AusSMC has never been more important, given that science underpins many pressing global issues, and as news is increasingly distributed through social media. AusSMC has informed reporting on a range of major national and international issues, including including climate change, stem cell research, genetically modified organisms, energy technology and water resources.

Some of the key activities by AusSMC include:

  • The Science Media Exchange (Scimex) news portal, which provides access to scientific expertise, independent expert reaction, multimedia and research stories from Australia and NZ. The site includes a newsfeed, a 'Find an Expert' database for journalists seeking media-savvy scientists and a 'Pitch a Story' section that allows experts to showcase untold stories to reporters. Scimex is used by over 1,700 journalists and distributes more than 3,000 stories each year.
  • Leading the development of the COVID Vaccine Media Hub - a Google News initiative. Developed in collaboration with technology not-for-profit Meedan and several global science media centres, the Hub is a global COVID-19 vaccine resource for journalists and fact checkers that continues to send out daily updates.
  • The Collaborative Journalism series, supported by the Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas. This series brings together scientists and journalists to produce new content on important media issues, including series on climate impacts in Australia (the 'Time is Now' series with news.com.au) and pain (with Nine Media).
  • The Indigenous Media Mentoring Program, which brings Indigenous scientists together for intensive media training.