Professor of Practice Mark Blaine has been selected to serve as interim director of the School of Journalism and Communication’s (SOJC) new Media Center for Science and Technology (MCST).

Blaine is an award-winning writer, investigative reporter and editor. His focus at the SOJC is on storytelling, new media and science communication.

“The Media Center for Science and Technology is launching during an exciting time for science and technology storytelling on the campus," Blaine said. "The efforts of our affiliated researchers, students and professional partners on behalf of the center have great potential to better connect the public with scientific and technological advances.”

Blaine has 20 years’ experience working at the intersection of communication, science and technology. He has worked with partners and researchers on storytelling projects from a range of institutions, including the U.S. Forest Service, Vision Maker Media, the Institute for Sustainable Environment, and the Prince William Sound Science Center, as well as researchers from the University of Washington and Oregon State University. He takes an entrepreneurial approach to science storytelling, and as a Scripps Howard Entrepreneurial Journalism Institute fellow, he worked on developing and refining models for science-based stories.

“Mark’s work is fully aligned with the strategic direction of the school,” said Edwin L. Artzt Dean and Professor Juan-Carlos Molleda. “I am excited to have his leadership during this crucial time of development for the MCST.”

In addition to teaching at the SOJC, Blaine co-leads the SOJC’s popular Science & Memory experiential learning program, and he produces science documentaries in partnership with OR Media and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. In November, he taught the first graduate student workshops hosted through the Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact.