Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Receives MacArthur Award

Bulletin Media Contact: Janice Sinclaire: 707.481.9372; [email protected]

CHICAGO– June 24, 2015 –The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists announced today that it is receiving a two-year, $450,000 grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation to support two new Bulletin initiatives: a museum display about the past and future of nuclear energy, and a second project about communicating science to the public.

Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry is designing the display in partnership with the Bulletin; it will open at the Museum in spring 2016, as part of a celebration of the Bulletin’s 70^th anniversary.  “The Museum of Science and Industry is the ideal partner to design a display about the changing nuclear landscape,” said Rachel Bronson, the Bulletin’s Executive Director and Publisher. “The interactive display will serve to encourage the public to think about the important role that science and technology have in shaping policy. It’s also an opportunity to inspire guests to consider their own stake in building a better future. We’re tremendously excited to be partnering with one of the world’s leading science museums on this effort.”

The second initiative extends the Bulletin’s mission of communicating scientific concepts to the public by establishing workshops around the world to help emerging science and policy experts better communicate their findings to a wider audience. The workshops will be led by Bulletin editor John Mecklin, who has edited award-winning magazines for the past 15 years. Writers working at his direction have won many major journalism honors, including the George Polk Award, the Investigative Reporters and Editors certificate, and the Sidney Hillman Award for reporting on social justice issues. "The Bulletin regularly allows the world's most accomplished experts to communicate effectively with policy leaders and the general public," Mecklin said. "These workshops will help next generation experts understand how they can shape their messages so they are accessible to a broad readership, in all the formats that the current news ecosystem allows."

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists engages science leaders, policy makers, and the interested public on topics of nuclear weapons and disarmament, the changing energy landscape, climate change, and emerging technologies. We do this through our award winning journal, iconic Doomsday Clock, public access website, and regular set of convenings.  With smart, vigorous prose, multimedia presentations, and information graphics the Bulletin puts issues and events into context and provides fact-based debates and assessments. For 70 years, the Bulletin has bridged the technology divide between scientific research, foreign policy, and public engagement.

The MacArthur Foundation supports creative people and effective institutions committed to building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. In addition to selecting the MacArthur Fellows, the Foundation works to defend human rights, advance global conservation and security, make cities better places, and understand how technology is affecting children and society. More information is at www.macfound.org.

The Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago (MSI), one of the largest science museums in the world, offers world-class and uniquely interactive experiences that inspire inventive genius and foster curiosity. Through its Center for the Advancement of Science Education (CASE), the Museum offers a variety of student, teacher, and family programs that make a difference in communities and contribute to MSI’s larger vision: to inspire and motivate children to achieve their full potential in science, technology, medicine and engineering.

Bulletin Media Contact: Janice Sinclaire: 707.481.9372; [email protected]

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