Dr Andy Ridgway

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Qualifications:
BSc (Hons), PCTLHE, PDJS, PhD
Position:
Associate Professor in Science Journalism
Department:
HAS - Applied Sciences
Telephone:
+441173283332
Email:
Andy.Ridgway@uwe.ac.uk
Social media:
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About me

Andy is Associate Professor in Science Journalism and an Associate Director in the School of Applied Sciences. He is PI on Science for Environment Policy, an environmental science news service run on behalf of the European Commission. He is also UWE's PI on COALESCE, the EU-funded project creating a European Competence Centre for Science Communication.

His areas of research include:

  • The challenges and opportunities presented by the communication of science online, including misinformation and AI-generated content.
  • How people use online information to inform their opinions and behaviour in relation to topics as diverse as COVID-19 and food waste.
  • Applying Social Practice Theory to the use of online platforms such as social media.
  • Science journalism practices.

Andy is a member of the Asociation of British Science Writers (ABSW) Executive Board, acting as a link between academia and science journalism practice. He was previously UWE Bristol's PI on the European Commission-funded RETHINK research project (Horizon 2020), which explored digital science communication across Europe. 

Andy is a member of the judging team for the Max Perutz Science Writing Award run by the Medical Reseach Council (MRC).

Before starting at UWE Bristol, Andy spent nearly 20 years as a journalist, including a spell as Deputy Editor of BBC Focus magazine. Prior to that, he worked in local newspapers as a Reporter and News Editor.

Andy continues to be a practicing journalist, having written for BBC Science Focus, New Scientist, The Economist and Men’s Health among other publications.
As well as writing for and editing print publications, Andy has extensive experience of digital publishing. 

 

Area of expertise

Online communication of science, food and food waste, science journalism.

Publications

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