The Open Notebook

The Open Notebook (TON) is a nonprofit organization and online magazine dedicated to supporting science journalism, the specialized practice of reporting on science, health, environment, and technology in ways that are accurate, engaging, and understandable for the public. Founded in 2010 by seasoned science journalists Siri Carpenter and Jeanne Erdmann, TON was originally created to share the “story behind the story” of science reporting by interviewing journalists about how they developed and crafted their work. Over time, it expanded its offerings to encompass a far broader suite of resources for science writers at every stage of their careers.

Today, The Open Notebook describes its mission as “fostering a supportive, diverse, and inclusive global community of reporters and editors who cover science, enabling them to learn and thrive.” It pursues that mission through training and mentoring programs, a thriving online magazine that publishes deeply reported features, craft essays, interviews, and annotated story analyses, and a suite of tools and guides designed to help journalists sharpen their craft. TON’s work aims to strengthen the quality of evidence-based reporting, “helping the public navigate the complexities of how science affects our everyday lives.”

A central belief of TON is that every story is a science story, yet fewer than three percent of journalists receive formal training in science, health, or environmental reporting. The Open Notebook addresses this gap by providing free, globally accessible resources, including sample syllabi, quick-tips guides, a large database of successful pitch letters, and a science reporting navigator tool created in partnership with the Reynolds Journalism Institute — so that journalists anywhere can build expertise regardless of background, location, or newsroom resources.

In addition to written resources, TON runs mentoring and fellowship programs that connect early-career journalists with experienced mentors and build communities of practice for local journalists, international students, and reporters from historically underrepresented communities. Its Science Journalism Master Classes and peer networks help foster long-term professional growth while broadening access to opportunities that many journalists might otherwise lack.

Over its first 15 years, The Open Notebook has published hundreds of in-depth articles and helped tens of thousands of journalists improve their science reporting — so that audiences around the world can better understand complex scientific issues, make informed decisions, and engage more fully in public life.