Amber Dance is an award-winning freelance science journalist based in Southern California. She is a contributor at Knowable Magazine and pens the Coronavirus Files newsletter for USC’s Center for Health Journalism. She directs the New Horizons science program at the Sciencewriters annual conference for the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing. She is the president of the SoCal Science Writing group. She also edits books.
(Fran Monks)
After earning a doctorate in biology, Amber Dance re-trained in journalism as a way to engage her broad interest in science and share her enthusiasm with readers. She mainly writes about life sciences, but also enjoys getting out of her comfort zone with topics such as desert astrophysics or glacial archaeology. She can tailor her work for audiences ranging from high schoolers to scientific experts. Check out some recent favorite clips.
Over the past several years, she trained in editing of articles and books via a variety of courses with UCLA Extension and the Editorial Freelancers Association. As an editor, she strives to help each author meet their own unique goals. She helps writers maintain their own voices while making their story or message clear, concise, and appropriate for the intended audience. Learn more about editing services here.
If you are interested in science writing or other pathways beyond the lab bench, check out the Careers section.