UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — On Thursday, April 2, award-winning science journalist Maddie Sofia will present the spring 2026 A. Dixon and Betty F. Johnson Lectureship in Scientific Communication at 4 p.m. in Freeman Auditorium, HUB-Robeson Center. Their talk, titled "Embracing Identity: Why We Can’t ‘Stick to the Science,'" is open to the public and will address their experience of publicly exploring their own identity as the host of an NPR science podcast and how embracing identity can build trust with audiences. They'll also talk about the power of inclusive science communication in scientific spaces.
The talk will serve as the keynote address for the Penn State Eberly College of Science’s second annual SeED (Science Equity and Diversity) Conference.
About the speaker
Maddie Sofia is a scientist and journalist. In 2016, they earned their doctorate in microbiology and immunology from the University of Rochester Medical Center. After graduate school, they went on to host NPR’s daily science podcast, "Short Wave." In 2020, Short Wave became the most popular science podcast on Spotify in the United States. Sofia went on to host episodes of "Science Friday" and NPR’s/PBS’s video series "Deep Look." Their journalism centers queer and trans health care issues, fun bugs and anything covered in mucus. They are currently consulting, teaching science communication workshops and traveling the country to mentor early-career scientists and journalists. Their evidence-based workshops are designed in collaboration with science communication researchers, fellow practitioners and community experts. Their workshops harness the power of identity and strategic communication to help scientists connect with community members, journalists, lawmakers and each other. Sofia’s primary goal as a facilitator is to foster a space where participants can be themselves, practice tangible skills and grow together as a community. In 2024, they were selected for the Inclusive Facilitation Fellowship Program by Ciencia Puerto Rico.
Additional opportunities
Following the keynote address, on Friday, April 3, Sofia will lead a morning workshop titled "Fostering Trust and Connection Through Science." Attendance at the workshop is capped at 25 participants. Registration — first come, first served — is required.
About the Johnson Lectureship
The A. Dixon and Betty F. Johnson Lectureship in Scientific Communication supports an annual lecture in scientific communication in the Eberly College of Science. The lecture was established in 2005 in memory of A. Dixon Johnson, a former University director of Public Information. Johnson worked as a Penn State science writer and public information director for many years.