Usha Lee McFarling
@usha.bsky.social
I direct the Knight Science Journalism Program at MIT. Working hard to advance science journalism and support its practitioners at a time they are needed more than ever.
Great news outlet. I’m a member of @lataco.bsky.social you should be too If you care about LA.
Los Angeles is under siege, and corporate-owned media has failed to meet this critical moment. #FreeLA
If you believe L.A. deserves better, support independent publications like L.A. TACO: lataco.com/join
If you believe L.A. deserves better, support independent publications like L.A. TACO: lataco.com/join
November 10, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Great news outlet. I’m a member of @lataco.bsky.social you should be too If you care about LA.
Reposted by Usha Lee McFarling
The world needs more science journalists, and more cookies! #SciWri25
When I say we need to take care of science writers I mean it. @ksjatmit.bsky.social cookies from Levain bakery for #SciWri25 attendees. 😍
November 10, 2025 at 6:26 PM
The world needs more science journalists, and more cookies! #SciWri25
When I say we need to take care of science writers I mean it. @ksjatmit.bsky.social cookies from Levain bakery for #SciWri25 attendees. 😍
November 9, 2025 at 11:19 PM
When I say we need to take care of science writers I mean it. @ksjatmit.bsky.social cookies from Levain bakery for #SciWri25 attendees. 😍
Wow. @jjmcdona.bsky.social of @factcheck.org says she doesn’t use the term #misinformation anymore bc it’s been politicized and become a trigger word. “It doesn’t mean anything anymore,” she said at #SciWri25. She now just says things are false or untrue.
November 9, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Wow. @jjmcdona.bsky.social of @factcheck.org says she doesn’t use the term #misinformation anymore bc it’s been politicized and become a trigger word. “It doesn’t mean anything anymore,” she said at #SciWri25. She now just says things are false or untrue.
Congrats to @maxkozlov.bsky.social for winning the CASW Everett/Payne award for his dogged and important reporting covering the Trump administration. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
November 9, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Congrats to @maxkozlov.bsky.social for winning the CASW Everett/Payne award for his dogged and important reporting covering the Trump administration. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
I know we’re all political reporters now 😢but incredible to hear Nobelist and UChicago chemist Jack Szostak tell us about the rna world and origin of life at #SciWri25. Remember to nerd out. 🤓🤓🤓
November 9, 2025 at 5:25 PM
I know we’re all political reporters now 😢but incredible to hear Nobelist and UChicago chemist Jack Szostak tell us about the rna world and origin of life at #SciWri25. Remember to nerd out. 🤓🤓🤓
I miss the incredible science writer Sharon Begley every day. She‘s gifted us with this remembrance (written before her untimely passing) of Jim Watson + his “public and unrepentant racism and sexism that made him a pariah in life and poisoned his legacy in death.”
www.statnews.com/2025/11/07/j...
www.statnews.com/2025/11/07/j...
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 9, 2025 at 5:19 PM
I miss the incredible science writer Sharon Begley every day. She‘s gifted us with this remembrance (written before her untimely passing) of Jim Watson + his “public and unrepentant racism and sexism that made him a pariah in life and poisoned his legacy in death.”
www.statnews.com/2025/11/07/j...
www.statnews.com/2025/11/07/j...
How are science writers coping with the unprecedented assault on science and what is the path ahead? Was honored to discuss this at #SciWri25 plenary with @shiplives.bsky.social @jeanna.bsky.social and Erin Podolak. Missed @michellejewell.bsky.social who still contributed much from afar.
November 9, 2025 at 4:56 PM
How are science writers coping with the unprecedented assault on science and what is the path ahead? Was honored to discuss this at #SciWri25 plenary with @shiplives.bsky.social @jeanna.bsky.social and Erin Podolak. Missed @michellejewell.bsky.social who still contributed much from afar.
Reposted by Usha Lee McFarling
Science writers are not all right y'all. We have been observing the full iceberg of doom drifting our way, we look like a conference of kicked dogs. We are also tough and incredibly clever and we ARE always solutions oriented. We're gonna fix this, we're gonna try. #SciWri25SOS
November 9, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Science writers are not all right y'all. We have been observing the full iceberg of doom drifting our way, we look like a conference of kicked dogs. We are also tough and incredibly clever and we ARE always solutions oriented. We're gonna fix this, we're gonna try. #SciWri25SOS
Reposted by Usha Lee McFarling
Thinking only of Rosalind Franklin today, and what was stolen from her (and so many other female scientists alongside her).
Rosalind Franklin and the damage of gender harassment
Spurred by a recent report on sexual harassment in academia, our columnist revisits a historical case and reflects on what has changed—and what hasn’t
www.science.org
November 7, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Thinking only of Rosalind Franklin today, and what was stolen from her (and so many other female scientists alongside her).
Reposted by Usha Lee McFarling
@kakape.bsky.social KSJ '24, shares actionable tips for journalists seeking to reduce the harm of misinformation.
ksj.mit.edu/news/2025/10...
ksj.mit.edu/news/2025/10...
The Lies Have It: Advice for Journalists Approaching Misinformation
Kai Kupferschmidt, KSJ '24, shares actionable tips for journalists seeking to reduce the harm of misinformation.
ksj.mit.edu
October 30, 2025 at 1:29 PM
@kakape.bsky.social KSJ '24, shares actionable tips for journalists seeking to reduce the harm of misinformation.
ksj.mit.edu/news/2025/10...
ksj.mit.edu/news/2025/10...
Reposted by Usha Lee McFarling
Maine described its HIV outbreak as a significant health concern, but the government shutdown has kept a CDC team from coming to the state's aid.
Maine sought federal help amid its largest HIV outbreak in state history. It’s still waiting. - The Boston Globe
Maine described its HIV outbreak as a significant health concern, but the shutdown has kept a CDC team from coming to the state's aid.
trib.al
November 7, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Maine described its HIV outbreak as a significant health concern, but the government shutdown has kept a CDC team from coming to the state's aid.
Laura is so smart. #sciwri25
Pro tip for #sciwri #sciencewriters meeting: tie a knot in your lanyard so your name tag is near your face & won’t flip around & nobody has to do the awkward navel gaze to read it
November 7, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Laura is so smart. #sciwri25
Reposted by Usha Lee McFarling
Excellent writing (and photos) per usual. This is a SNAP piece you must read.
Across Mississippi, businesses, churches and other organizations are helping provide food aid to residents in need amid uncertainty about SNAP food assistance as the federal government shutdown drags on.
buff.ly/w7GOBU4
buff.ly/w7GOBU4
Mississippi Communities Provide Food Aid Amid SNAP Uncertainty
Across Mississippi, businesses, churches and other organizations are helping provide food aid to residents in need amid SNAP delays.
www.mississippifreepress.org
November 7, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Excellent writing (and photos) per usual. This is a SNAP piece you must read.
Reposted by Usha Lee McFarling
NEW YORK (AP) — James Watson, co-discoverer of the double-helix shape of DNA, has died at age 97.
November 7, 2025 at 7:57 PM
NEW YORK (AP) — James Watson, co-discoverer of the double-helix shape of DNA, has died at age 97.
Had a incredible discussion with @ferrisjabr.bsky.social + @ksjatmit.bsky.social fellows diving into how and why he wrote this "preacher" (profile/feature), and how he wove science, personality, culture, + his own realizations about beauty into a seamless read. www.nytimes.com/2019/01/09/m...
How Beauty Is Making Scientists Rethink Evolution (Published 2019)
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Had a incredible discussion with @ferrisjabr.bsky.social + @ksjatmit.bsky.social fellows diving into how and why he wrote this "preacher" (profile/feature), and how he wove science, personality, culture, + his own realizations about beauty into a seamless read. www.nytimes.com/2019/01/09/m...
Reposted by Usha Lee McFarling
I am so upset.
Last week Time Magazine solicited a piece from me on Zohran Mamdani & anti-Muslim hate. I pitched a framing re the dehumanization of Muslims & how Mamdani’s inclusive, socialist campaign in its content resists that. They agreed. I wrote the piece. 1/
Last week Time Magazine solicited a piece from me on Zohran Mamdani & anti-Muslim hate. I pitched a framing re the dehumanization of Muslims & how Mamdani’s inclusive, socialist campaign in its content resists that. They agreed. I wrote the piece. 1/
To be asked to write about racism only to be racially aggressed in the editing process is a new level unlocked I have to say.
November 3, 2025 at 9:35 PM
I am so upset.
Last week Time Magazine solicited a piece from me on Zohran Mamdani & anti-Muslim hate. I pitched a framing re the dehumanization of Muslims & how Mamdani’s inclusive, socialist campaign in its content resists that. They agreed. I wrote the piece. 1/
Last week Time Magazine solicited a piece from me on Zohran Mamdani & anti-Muslim hate. I pitched a framing re the dehumanization of Muslims & how Mamdani’s inclusive, socialist campaign in its content resists that. They agreed. I wrote the piece. 1/
Incredible visualizations in this piece. Must read: www.washingtonpost.com/weather/inte...
Deadly rivers in the sky
A new Washington Post investigation reveals where climate change has supercharged the movement of moisture through the skies.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Incredible visualizations in this piece. Must read: www.washingtonpost.com/weather/inte...
This Wednesday on the beautiful Tufts campus! Please join @ferrisjabr.bsky.social and I for this conversation we all need right now.
Thank you for this efforts! For any Boston area peeps, we have a great free event Nov 5. at Tufts this week, "Lighting the Way: How Science Journalism Can Help us All Navigate a New Dark Age." Great speakers @ferrisjabr.bsky.social and @usha.bsky.social. Join us!
November 3, 2025 at 6:02 PM
This Wednesday on the beautiful Tufts campus! Please join @ferrisjabr.bsky.social and I for this conversation we all need right now.
Absolutely chilling story by @aniloza.bsky.social on censorship in grant titles at NIH and how researchers are complying and sometimes fighting back. "They are trying to make people afraid to use the word equity," said one program officer. "It's highly effective." www.statnews.com/2025/10/29/n...
Scientists had to change more than 700 grant titles to receive NIH funding. Health disparities researchers fear what’s next
The titles of more than 700 multi-year NIH grants have been changed this year, according to an analysis by Jeremy Berg, a former agency official
www.statnews.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Absolutely chilling story by @aniloza.bsky.social on censorship in grant titles at NIH and how researchers are complying and sometimes fighting back. "They are trying to make people afraid to use the word equity," said one program officer. "It's highly effective." www.statnews.com/2025/10/29/n...
Let's talk about how science journalism and writing can keep us sane and in the ✨ light ✨right now. I'm excited to have this conversation with @ferrisjabr.bsky.social whose writing I have long admired. We need these conversations rnow more than ever. Please join us. Register👇
October 29, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Let's talk about how science journalism and writing can keep us sane and in the ✨ light ✨right now. I'm excited to have this conversation with @ferrisjabr.bsky.social whose writing I have long admired. We need these conversations rnow more than ever. Please join us. Register👇
So happy to be back with former colleagues at #STATSummit. First session on CRISPR gene editing featured adorable Baby KJ who received life saving treatment in Pennsylvania.
October 15, 2025 at 1:31 PM
So happy to be back with former colleagues at #STATSummit. First session on CRISPR gene editing featured adorable Baby KJ who received life saving treatment in Pennsylvania.
Reposted by Usha Lee McFarling
Reposted by Usha Lee McFarling
Many thanks to @jeremyfaust.bsky.social, @akuchment.bsky.social, @aniloza.bsky.social, @sarareardon.bsky.social, @katherinejwu.com, and MIT STS professor @edenmedina.bsky.social.
October 10, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Many thanks to @jeremyfaust.bsky.social, @akuchment.bsky.social, @aniloza.bsky.social, @sarareardon.bsky.social, @katherinejwu.com, and MIT STS professor @edenmedina.bsky.social.
What an incredible conversation last night. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽Thanks to our speakers and the audience.
How should journalists cover U.S. science in a time of crisis? Top reporters on that beat came together in Cambridge for an insightful, thought-provoking panel discussion, moderated by KSJ's @usha.bsky.social .
October 10, 2025 at 5:10 PM
What an incredible conversation last night. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽Thanks to our speakers and the audience.