The Best Australian Science Writing 2022

by Ivy Shih, Norman Swan (Foreword)

What can a microbial gravesite on a moon teach us? Why is a group of scientists risking their lives to safeguard a seed bank? How does a virus detective story show us why we need to be vigilant about the next disease outbreak?
Great science writing has the ability to make us captive bystanders to the complexities of research. It makes us ask questions, and sustains in us an infinite curiosity about our world.
Science writing also brings into sharp focus stories that surprise and compel us to pay attention to parts of the world often unseen, from a dusty gold mine which could help answer one of the biggest questions in astrophysics to a delightful date with the misunderstood blobfish.
This much-loved anthology – now in its twelfth year – selects the most riveting, entertaining, poignant and fascinating science stories and essays from Australian writers, poets and scientists.
With a foreword by health broadcaster and author Dr Norman Swan, this anthology covers another remarkable year filled with seismic moments in science.
Includes the shortlisted entries for the 2022 UNSW Press Bragg Prize and the 2021 student prize-winning essay.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science

Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2022

Reviews

[louis]

this was an enjoyable read. a nice anthology of recent science writing across a variety of fields. my favourite pieces were the syrian seed bank piece and the one about controlling feral cat populations. now onto the 2023 edition

[Sheila]

Loved the essay about feral cats, I didn't know that the felixer only sprays cats and not other critters. Also the ediacaran essay, loved the analogy of toilet rolls and geologic time. Learnt about Turkish women immunizing predating Jenner. Found out that sour dough bread can be less irritating to gut health. Also that you cannot infer emotion from facial expression.

[Sarah De]

So many fascininating insights!

[Betty]

It's always a pleasure to read about the latest developments in science. great writing, well explained to a non science audience.

[Borlap]

Some excellent writing on display here! Really loved the story about Tassie’s black box and the dad with the TBI. Really evocative and informative. Great read

[eli]

a fascinating and thought provoking collection, i found this very enjoyable to read.