Corinna Wu
@corinnawu.bsky.social
Science journalist | Senior Editor at Undark Magazine | she/her | Views expressed are my own
https://www.linkedin.com/in/corinnawu/
https://undark.org/meet-our-team/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/corinnawu/
https://undark.org/meet-our-team/
Reposted by Corinna Wu
Post-election column for @undark.org:
"The questions [about political identity] are more than casual curiosities but can be formalized into a technical research agenda dedicated to investigating the sometimes-hidden forces that craft political identity."
undark.org/2025/11/06/o...
"The questions [about political identity] are more than casual curiosities but can be formalized into a technical research agenda dedicated to investigating the sometimes-hidden forces that craft political identity."
undark.org/2025/11/06/o...
The Increasingly Complex Science of Political Identity
Opinion | Understanding why people vote the way they do has emerged as a cutting-edge scientific question requiring new tools.
undark.org
November 6, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Post-election column for @undark.org:
"The questions [about political identity] are more than casual curiosities but can be formalized into a technical research agenda dedicated to investigating the sometimes-hidden forces that craft political identity."
undark.org/2025/11/06/o...
"The questions [about political identity] are more than casual curiosities but can be formalized into a technical research agenda dedicated to investigating the sometimes-hidden forces that craft political identity."
undark.org/2025/11/06/o...
Reposted by Corinna Wu
New for @undark.org
In 1995, the "crime gene" conference generated a lot of news & controversy. 30 yrs later, I reflect on its legacy, & argue that we still have a long way to go in our attempts to study the basis of complex social traits.
undark.org/2025/10/16/o...
In 1995, the "crime gene" conference generated a lot of news & controversy. 30 yrs later, I reflect on its legacy, & argue that we still have a long way to go in our attempts to study the basis of complex social traits.
undark.org/2025/10/16/o...
Reflecting on the ‘Crime Gene’ Conference, 30 Years Later
Opinion | The missteps made by a controversial 1995 conference on genetics and criminal behavior remain unaddressed today.
undark.org
October 16, 2025 at 1:49 PM
New for @undark.org
In 1995, the "crime gene" conference generated a lot of news & controversy. 30 yrs later, I reflect on its legacy, & argue that we still have a long way to go in our attempts to study the basis of complex social traits.
undark.org/2025/10/16/o...
In 1995, the "crime gene" conference generated a lot of news & controversy. 30 yrs later, I reflect on its legacy, & argue that we still have a long way to go in our attempts to study the basis of complex social traits.
undark.org/2025/10/16/o...
Reposted by Corinna Wu
And yes, now is the right time.
New for @undark.org
"The fundamental problem with the tenure process is that it has struggled to recognize that knowledge is curated, created, and consumed differently today than even a decade ago."
undark.org/2025/09/11/o...
New for @undark.org
"The fundamental problem with the tenure process is that it has struggled to recognize that knowledge is curated, created, and consumed differently today than even a decade ago."
undark.org/2025/09/11/o...
It’s Time to Rethink the Academic Tenure Process
Opinion | To fight the war on science, higher education needs to reimagine the most important career milestone for faculty.
undark.org
September 11, 2025 at 2:09 PM
And yes, now is the right time.
New for @undark.org
"The fundamental problem with the tenure process is that it has struggled to recognize that knowledge is curated, created, and consumed differently today than even a decade ago."
undark.org/2025/09/11/o...
New for @undark.org
"The fundamental problem with the tenure process is that it has struggled to recognize that knowledge is curated, created, and consumed differently today than even a decade ago."
undark.org/2025/09/11/o...
Reposted by Corinna Wu
New work for @undark.org. I discuss the increasing relevance of "metascience" in a changing world.
"Metascience is not without its critics. For one, some suggest that metascience could benefit from some humility, as it is not the first field to ask these questions."
undark.org/2025/07/31/o...
"Metascience is not without its critics. For one, some suggest that metascience could benefit from some humility, as it is not the first field to ask these questions."
undark.org/2025/07/31/o...
Metascience Is More Important Now Than Ever
Opinion | A growing research field known as ‘the science of science’ will be essential for navigating an uncertain future.
undark.org
July 31, 2025 at 4:18 PM
New work for @undark.org. I discuss the increasing relevance of "metascience" in a changing world.
"Metascience is not without its critics. For one, some suggest that metascience could benefit from some humility, as it is not the first field to ask these questions."
undark.org/2025/07/31/o...
"Metascience is not without its critics. For one, some suggest that metascience could benefit from some humility, as it is not the first field to ask these questions."
undark.org/2025/07/31/o...
Reposted by Corinna Wu
Jay Bhattacharya brings to the NIH directorship a deep conviction that public health specifically, and medical research more broadly, are in desperate need of reform from outsiders.
Amid Turbulence, the NIH's Jay Bhattacharya Era Begins
Pandemic policies prompted his call for public health reform. But allies wonder if he can deliver it as a Trump insider.
undark.org
May 27, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Jay Bhattacharya brings to the NIH directorship a deep conviction that public health specifically, and medical research more broadly, are in desperate need of reform from outsiders.
Reposted by Corinna Wu
"The reality looks much more like a variation on Jenga, whereby perturbations in one part of the structure can send ripple effects through everything all at once."
New for @undark.org: "The Ripple Effects of Shrinking U.S. Science"
undark.org/2025/05/01/o...
New for @undark.org: "The Ripple Effects of Shrinking U.S. Science"
undark.org/2025/05/01/o...
The Ripple Effects of Shrinking U.S. Science
Opinion | Severe cuts in research funding will cause a complex cascade of effects across the United States and the world.
undark.org
May 1, 2025 at 12:55 PM
"The reality looks much more like a variation on Jenga, whereby perturbations in one part of the structure can send ripple effects through everything all at once."
New for @undark.org: "The Ripple Effects of Shrinking U.S. Science"
undark.org/2025/05/01/o...
New for @undark.org: "The Ripple Effects of Shrinking U.S. Science"
undark.org/2025/05/01/o...
Reposted by Corinna Wu
"I have now decided — more than five years after the SARS-CoV-2 virus reached U.S. shores — that we need to muster the energy to reflect on the pandemic and extract a few lasting messages to help us rethink many aspects of science, and the world."
New for @undark.org
undark.org/2025/04/03/c...
New for @undark.org
undark.org/2025/04/03/c...
Now Is the Time for a Covid-19 Synthesis
Opinion | Collective trauma has made talk about the pandemic overwhelming. Five years on, it’s time to apply the lessons learned.
undark.org
April 3, 2025 at 3:20 PM
"I have now decided — more than five years after the SARS-CoV-2 virus reached U.S. shores — that we need to muster the energy to reflect on the pandemic and extract a few lasting messages to help us rethink many aspects of science, and the world."
New for @undark.org
undark.org/2025/04/03/c...
New for @undark.org
undark.org/2025/04/03/c...
Reposted by Corinna Wu
"No one is coming out of the sky to give you your grant money. Your citation portfolio won’t survive this market crash. Your credentials mean nothing. Everything is going to change."
New for @undark.org
undark.org/2025/03/06/o...
New for @undark.org
undark.org/2025/03/06/o...
How Science Can Adapt to a New Normal
Opinion | In the wake of attacks on the research enterprise, scientists need to focus on protecting its fragile infrastructure.
undark.org
March 6, 2025 at 2:35 PM
"No one is coming out of the sky to give you your grant money. Your citation portfolio won’t survive this market crash. Your credentials mean nothing. Everything is going to change."
New for @undark.org
undark.org/2025/03/06/o...
New for @undark.org
undark.org/2025/03/06/o...
Reposted by Corinna Wu
Preparing for the Onslaught: Journalists need to come to terms with our new reality, by Joel Simon. www.cjr.org/analysis/pre...
Preparing for the Onslaught
Journalists need to come to terms with our new reality.
www.cjr.org
February 13, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Preparing for the Onslaught: Journalists need to come to terms with our new reality, by Joel Simon. www.cjr.org/analysis/pre...
Reposted by Corinna Wu
"One thing is certain: The changes we make ourselves will be healthier than the ones our adversaries demand."
New work for @undark.org:
undark.org/2025/02/06/o...
New work for @undark.org:
undark.org/2025/02/06/o...
The End of Science’s Peacetime
Opinion | Defending the practice of science from its adversaries will require dealing with some uncomfortable truths.
undark.org
February 6, 2025 at 1:52 PM
"One thing is certain: The changes we make ourselves will be healthier than the ones our adversaries demand."
New work for @undark.org:
undark.org/2025/02/06/o...
New work for @undark.org:
undark.org/2025/02/06/o...
Reposted by Corinna Wu
Advice for journalists covering changes in rules, regulations, codes, standards, and oversight:
Find out why they were instituted in the first place. Learn the origin story of what they were in response to, their goals, who benefitted, and the process by which they came about. History matters.
Find out why they were instituted in the first place. Learn the origin story of what they were in response to, their goals, who benefitted, and the process by which they came about. History matters.
January 25, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Advice for journalists covering changes in rules, regulations, codes, standards, and oversight:
Find out why they were instituted in the first place. Learn the origin story of what they were in response to, their goals, who benefitted, and the process by which they came about. History matters.
Find out why they were instituted in the first place. Learn the origin story of what they were in response to, their goals, who benefitted, and the process by which they came about. History matters.
Reposted by Corinna Wu
🧵 What if peer-reviewed journals had sections for researchers without traditional academic credentials? @cbo.bsky.social explores this possibility.
How Do We Democratize Scientific Research?
Opinion | As scientists struggle to connect with the public, they must consider new models for making research more accessible.
undark.org
January 10, 2025 at 2:31 PM
🧵 What if peer-reviewed journals had sections for researchers without traditional academic credentials? @cbo.bsky.social explores this possibility.
Reposted by Corinna Wu
(1/5) Gain-of-function research involves altering organisms to study risks and benefits, especially for pandemic threats. Its value and risks are widely debated.
December 23, 2024 at 3:15 PM
(1/5) Gain-of-function research involves altering organisms to study risks and benefits, especially for pandemic threats. Its value and risks are widely debated.
Reposted by Corinna Wu
Some news! This post includes a link if you want to apply to be the next director of the Knight Science Journalism Program at MIT.
ksj.mit.edu/news/2024/12...
ksj.mit.edu/news/2024/12...
Knight Science Journalism Director Deborah Blum Announces Retirement Knight Science Journalism @MIT
The director of the Knight Science Journalism Program at MIT, Deborah Blum, has announced that she will retire in the summer of 2025.
ksj.mit.edu
December 18, 2024 at 9:01 PM
Some news! This post includes a link if you want to apply to be the next director of the Knight Science Journalism Program at MIT.
ksj.mit.edu/news/2024/12...
ksj.mit.edu/news/2024/12...
Reposted by Corinna Wu
Supporters argue that gain-of-function studies are key to preparing for pandemics, but critics warn of their dangers.
Read more here:
Read more here:
The Long, Contentious Battle to Regulate Gain-of-Function Work
For years, experts have tussled over whether — and how — to restrict risky pathogen research. Is a compromise possible?
undark.org
December 11, 2024 at 10:02 PM
Supporters argue that gain-of-function studies are key to preparing for pandemics, but critics warn of their dangers.
Read more here:
Read more here:
Reposted by Corinna Wu
25 years after the Human Genome Project draft, we're in a "post-genomic" age.
This era explores key biological questions, blending genomics with environmental and social factors to address health disparities.
#opinion from @cbo.bsky.social
This era explores key biological questions, blending genomics with environmental and social factors to address health disparities.
#opinion from @cbo.bsky.social
What Does It Mean to Be In the 'Post-Genomic' Age?
Opinion | New dialogues are emerging about what comes next in biology, 25 years after completion of a draft of the human genome.
undark.org
December 5, 2024 at 2:03 PM
25 years after the Human Genome Project draft, we're in a "post-genomic" age.
This era explores key biological questions, blending genomics with environmental and social factors to address health disparities.
#opinion from @cbo.bsky.social
This era explores key biological questions, blending genomics with environmental and social factors to address health disparities.
#opinion from @cbo.bsky.social
Reposted by Corinna Wu
It's time to apply for a Knight Science Journalism Program fellowship at MIT! We have 10 openings for a 2025-26 academic year fellowship and one opening for a one semester fellowship for journalists from Africa and the Middle East. Learn more here.
ksj.mit.edu/news/2024/11...
ksj.mit.edu/news/2024/11...
KSJ Opens Application Cycle for 2025-26 Fellowships Knight Science Journalism @MIT
The Knight Science Journalism Fellowship Program at MIT opens applications for the next class of fellows.
ksj.mit.edu
November 18, 2024 at 8:00 PM
It's time to apply for a Knight Science Journalism Program fellowship at MIT! We have 10 openings for a 2025-26 academic year fellowship and one opening for a one semester fellowship for journalists from Africa and the Middle East. Learn more here.
ksj.mit.edu/news/2024/11...
ksj.mit.edu/news/2024/11...
Reposted by Corinna Wu
Happy for @undark.org to join the @bsky.app community. Please let us know either here or at editorial@undark.org what science stories you'd most like to see in the coming year.
undark.org
undark.org
Undark: Truth, Beauty, Science.
Undark is a nonprofit, editorially independent digital magazine exploring the intersection of science and society.
undark.org
November 19, 2024 at 12:18 AM
Happy for @undark.org to join the @bsky.app community. Please let us know either here or at editorial@undark.org what science stories you'd most like to see in the coming year.
undark.org
undark.org
Reposted by Corinna Wu
The Craft of Science Writing, available at your favorite place for books starting Nov. 5, includes contributions from @humbertobasilio.bsky.social, @laurahelmuth.bsky.social, @allakat.bsky.social, @carlzimmer.bsky.social, @alexwitze.bsky.social and many others. 🧪
The Craft of Science Writing
An indispensable guide for media professionals, scientists, and educators who want to hone their science writing craft or provide a resource for students.
www.theopennotebook.com
October 31, 2024 at 6:33 PM
The Craft of Science Writing, available at your favorite place for books starting Nov. 5, includes contributions from @humbertobasilio.bsky.social, @laurahelmuth.bsky.social, @allakat.bsky.social, @carlzimmer.bsky.social, @alexwitze.bsky.social and many others. 🧪