Relevant Journalism and Editorial Experience

Independent science journalist and writer – January 2019- present

Reported and wrote features, news articles, creative nonfiction, columns, profiles, and essays for publications including Science Magazine, Bustle, Medium, Audubon, and Hakai Magazine.

University of Florida

Science writer and editor – University of Florida News, October 2016-December 2018

Primary duties:

Wrote, edited, produced, and promoted original multimedia content about the university’s scientific research for national audiences.
Worked with national content partners to promote original multimedia stories, including NASA and Disney.
Acted as expert liaison for scientists and science writers across the university.
Co-managed UF News social media accounts.
Pitched and placed news and features with top-tier media, including New York Times, Newsweek, Popular Science, Science Magazine, and Space.com.
Developed and executed communications strategies.
Created and managed a mentorship program for UF student science writers.

Accomplishments:

Advanced the university’s multimedia storytelling.
Won a 2018 Council for the Advancement of Education Gold Award for the series Becoming visible: Three women shattering stereotypes in science. (Category: Writing for the Web)
Broadened the institution’s inclusion of stories about women and other minorities.
Wrote several of the university’s most read and engaged with stories between 2017-2018.
Proposed, created and executed an Instagram strategy for UF News
Proposed and directed UF’s first science education video series called Common Curiosity, which aimed to dispel misconceptions in science and brings together scientists from very different fields of research to discuss common interests.

Florida Museum of Natural History

Science writer and editor – August 2013-October 2016

Wrote, edited and coordinated news articles, magazine articles, monthly e-newsletter content, and numerous stories distributed nationally and internationally. Coordinated with editors, journalists, communicators, webmasters and photographers.
Independently researched diverse topics, develops story ideas, fact-checked and copy edits according to the AP Style guide.
Managed an intern 20 hours each week and edited her copy.

Accomplishments:

Wrote and promoted the most stories picked up by national media within a single year in the history of the museum’s public relations department (2015-2016).
Press releases and original stories have resulted in UF and Florida Museum research featured by outlets such as The New York Times, Smithsonian Magazine, National Geographic, Washington Post, Discovery Magazine, and Scientific American.

Suwannee Democrat

Reporter, 2009-2011

Covered multiple beats including court, police and the environment.
Contributed to the newspaper becoming the 2011 Newspaper of the Year for the news corporation CNHI as lead reporter.
Wrote in-depth features on a variety of subjects and commenced investigative reporting on topics involving pollution and environmental hazards.

Accomplishments:

2010 Florida Press Association Award for "Mercury Rising: How safe is the Suwannee?" (Best news story category)

Advanced the paper’s environmental reportage.

Education

University of Florida

MA, Mass Communication 2016 (with distinction)

BA, History 2008 (magna cum laude)

Minors in Anthropology and Religion

Relevant MA Level Courses

Conferences and Institutes

Professional Affiliations

Scholarly Publications

“A Critical Cultural Analysis: The Portrayal of Egyptian Women in the Los Angeles Times” (2015) in Georgetown University’s Gnovis: A journal of communication, culture and technology.
“Monks, Kings, and Empresses: A New Look at Christian Nubia” (2007) in the University of Florida’s Alpata: A Journal of History, Vol. IV.

Awards and Honors

Becoming visible: Three women shattering stereotypes in science, won a 2018 Council for the Advancement and Support of Education – Circle of Excellence – Gold Award.
2010 Florida Press Association Award for "Mercury Rising: How safe is the Suwannee?" (Best news story category)
2007 University Scholar (UF)

Stephenie Livingston