# ScienceAlert

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{{short description|Science magazine}}

{{Infobox magazine
| title = ScienceAlert
| image_file = Science Alert logo.png
| image_size = 
| image_alt = 
| image_caption = 
| editor = Peter Dockrill<ref name="SA">{{Cite web|url=https://www.sciencealert.com/our-team|title=Our Team|first=Fiona|last=MacDonald|website=ScienceAlert|access-date=2020-09-04|archive-date=2020-09-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912021728/https://www.sciencealert.com/our-team|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="br">{{Cite web|url=https://thebrilliant.com.au/case-studies/science-alert/|title=Wake up Australia. You have the second-largest science website in the world.|date=August 19, 2020|access-date=September 4, 2020|archive-date=October 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004154918/https://thebrilliant.com.au/case-studies/science-alert/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| editor_title = Editor
| previous_editor = [Julian Cribb](/source/Julian_Cribb) (2005 – 2015)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eoas.info/biogs/P005871b.htm|title=Cribb, Julian - Japanese entry - Encyclopedia of Australian Science|first=The University of Melbourne eScholarship Research|last=Centre|website=www.eoas.info|access-date=2020-09-04|archive-date=2020-09-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918110823/https://www.eoas.info/biogs/P005871b.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.resilience.org/stories/2011-05-20/julian-cribb-what-are-future-challenges-our-food-system/|title=Julian Cribb: What are the future challenges to our food system|date=May 19, 2011|website=Resilience|access-date=2020-09-04|archive-date=2021-10-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006112800/https://www.resilience.org/stories/2011-05-20/julian-cribb-what-are-future-challenges-our-food-system/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| staff_writer = 
| frequency = Daily
| total_circulation = 
| circulation_year = 
| category = [Popular science](/source/Popular_science)
| company = ScienceAlert Pty Ltd<ref name="ABN">{{Cite web|url=https://abr.business.gov.au/|title=ABN Lookup|date=November 1, 2014|website=abr.business.gov.au|access-date=September 4, 2020|archive-date=May 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512152845/https://www.abr.business.gov.au/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| publisher = 
| firstdate = 2004
| country = Australia<ref name="SW">{{Cite web|url=http://similarweb.com/website/sciencealert.com/|title=sciencealert.com Traffic Statistics|website=SimilarWeb|access-date=2020-09-13|archive-date=2021-10-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009033638/https://www.similarweb.com/website/sciencealert.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| based = Canberra<ref name="ABN"/>
| language = English
| website = {{URL|https://www.sciencealert.com}}
| issn = 
}}

'''ScienceAlert''' is an independently run online publication and news source that publishes articles featuring scientific research, discoveries, and outcomes.<ref name="br"/> The site was founded in 2004 by [Julian Cribb](/source/Julian_Cribb), a science writer, to aggregate research findings from Australian universities,<ref name="CT">{{Cite web|url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6176533/act-pair-takes-australian-science-to-the-world/digital-subscription/|title=ACT pair takes Australian science to the world|first=Rosslyn|last=Beeby|date=February 27, 2012|website=The Canberra Times|access-date=September 4, 2020|archive-date=October 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006164711/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6176533/act-pair-takes-australian-science-to-the-world/digital-subscription/|url-status=live}}</ref> and it expanded in 2006 when ex-[Microsoft](/source/Microsoft) programmer Chris Cassella took on the project of developing the website.<ref name="smh">{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/technology/canberra-science-website-more-popular-than-nasa-20120614-20bx0.html|title=Canberra science website more popular than NASA|first=David|last=Sharaz|date=June 14, 2012|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=September 4, 2020|archive-date=October 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006164658/https://www.smh.com.au/technology/canberra-science-website-more-popular-than-nasa-20120614-20bx0.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It has readership that ranges from 11.5m to 26.5m per month.<ref name="SW"/> Kate Mallord has been CEO since 2024.<ref>https://www.sciencealert.com/our-team</ref> In March 2024 the site was listed by ''Press Gazette'' as one of the fastest growing news sites globally. <ref>https://pressgazette.co.uk/media-audience-and-business-data/media_metrics/most-popular-websites-news-us-monthly-3/</ref>

== History ==
[Science communicator](/source/Science_communication) Julian Cribb founded ScienceAlert in 2004.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.asc.asn.au/blog/2012/02/28/a-million-fans-for-australian-science/|title=A million fans for Australian science|first=Susan|last=Kirk|date=February 28, 2012|access-date=September 4, 2020|archive-date=August 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810023915/http://www.asc.asn.au/blog/2012/02/28/a-million-fans-for-australian-science/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 26, 2018 |title=Women dominate ACT Australian of the Year nominations |url=https://www.newcastlestar.com.au/story/5723708/women-dominate-act-australian-of-the-year-nominations/ |website=The Star}}</ref> The website was born out of his "concern at the lack of information available about what Australians and New Zealanders achieve in science".<ref name="CS">{{Cite web |date=2012-03-01 |title=Australian Science Communication Conference &#124; Chief Scientist |url=https://www.chiefscientist.gov.au/2012/03/australian-science-communication-conference |website=www.chiefscientist.gov.au |access-date=2020-09-04 |archive-date=2020-09-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922170110/https://www.chiefscientist.gov.au/2012/03/australian-science-communication-conference |url-status=live }}</ref> Chris Cassella, a former programmer for Microsoft, joined the site in order to develop new web tools.<ref name="CT"/> He took on this work as part of a master's degree thesis in science communication at [Australia National University](/source/Australia_National_University),<ref name="smh"/> where Cribb was a professor.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://audioboom.com/posts/937081-interview-with-chris-cassella-sciencealert-at-sciencerewired|title=sciencerewired / Interview With Chris Cassella - ScienceAlert at sciencerewired|access-date=2020-09-04|archive-date=2021-10-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006110230/https://audioboom.com/posts/937081-interview-with-chris-cassella-sciencealert-at-sciencerewired|url-status=live}}</ref> Initially, the focus of ScienceAlert was twofold: "to both publicise Australasian scientific outcomes more widely and to encourage Australasian research institutions and funding agencies to share more of their achievements by providing a free outlet for them to do so".<ref name="CT"/> Cassella is credited with bringing the site to social media, starting the ScienceAlert [Facebook](/source/Facebook) page in 2007.<ref name="CS"/> By 2011, the page had attracted a significant following among young people,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A |title=Parliament of Australia: Aust. Australian science followers top half a million |access-date=2020-09-04 |archive-date=2020-09-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925103402/https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id: |url-status=live }}</ref> reaching one million followers by 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 27, 2012 |title=Taking science to the world – from Narrabundah! |url=https://citynews.com.au/2012/taking-science-to-the-world-from-narrabundah/ |access-date=2019-02-27 |website=citynews.com.au |archive-date=2021-10-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006131435/https://citynews.com.au/2012/taking-science-to-the-world-from-narrabundah/ |url-status=live }}</ref> By 2020, the page had slightly more than nine million followers.<ref name="br"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/ScienceAlert/|title=ScienceAlert|website=www.facebook.com|access-date=2020-09-04|archive-date=2020-09-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200905155557/https://www.facebook.com/ScienceAlert|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2012, ScienceAlert received a grant from Inspiring Australia, a government initiative aimed at engaging "people who may not have had previous access to or interest in science-communication activities".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Australia |first=Inspiring |date=2012-06-12 |title=Inspiring Australia grant overviews |url=https://www.scienceinpublic.com.au/inspiringaus/grantoverview |access-date=2018-06-12 |website=www.scienceinpublic.com.au |archive-date=2018-03-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313043156/http://www.scienceinpublic.com.au/inspiringaus/grantoverview |url-status=live }}</ref> Although the website began as a project to aggregate research findings and outcomes from Australian universities, by 2019 the focus of the site had shifted toward presenting popular science to a wider audience. The shift toward mass appeal news on social media has met with some criticism. (''See Controversy and criticism section'', below)

In July 2019, reinforcing the site's commitment to [fact-checking](/source/fact-checking), ScienceAlert announced a joint partnership with Metafact. ScienceAlert republishes selected expert answers from the Metafact community across the site's multiple digital channels.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rappler.com/technology/social-media/226422-metafact-website-answers-science-related-questions/|title=This fact-checking website answers all your science-related questions|website=Rappler|date=23 March 2019|access-date=4 September 2020|archive-date=23 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923114558/https://rappler.com/technology/social-media/metafact-website-answers-science-related-questions|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://metafact.io/blogs/metafact-sciencealert-partnership-to-give-facts-even-greater-reach|title=- Metafact|website=metafact.io|access-date=2020-09-04|archive-date=2019-10-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007063250/https://metafact.io/blogs/metafact-sciencealert-partnership-to-give-facts-even-greater-reach|url-status=live}}</ref> ScienceAlert is owned by ScienceAlert Pty Ltd., a [privately held company](/source/privately_held_company) owned by Chris Cassella.

According to its site, ScienceAlert does not run sponsored articles nor is it affiliated with other companies or institutions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://the-riotact.com/podcast-sciencealerts-journey-to-6-4-million-facebook-likes/142808|title=Podcast: ScienceAlert's journey to 6.4 million Facebook likes|website=The RiotACT|access-date=2020-09-04|archive-date=2020-01-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200104110416/https://the-riotact.com/podcast-sciencealerts-journey-to-6-4-million-facebook-likes/142808|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tokenskeptic.org/2012/09/01/episode-one-hundred-and-thirty-four-on-sciencerewired-interviews-on-science-society-and-education/|title=Episode One Hundred And Thirty Four – On ScienceRewired – Interviews On Science, Society And Education|date=September 1, 2012|access-date=September 4, 2020|archive-date=September 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919223722/http://tokenskeptic.org/2012/09/01/episode-one-hundred-and-thirty-four-on-sciencerewired-interviews-on-science-society-and-education/|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2025, ScienceAlert engages more than 25 million readers per month.<ref name="SW"/>

== Editorial staff ==
In addition to Cassella and Mallord, ScienceAlert's editorial staff is headed by Peter Dockrill, who now manages more than half a dozen contributing science journalists to produce the site's news.<ref name="SA"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.asc.asn.au/blog/2016/01/13/sciencealert-science-communication-for-the-masses/|title=ScienceAlert: science communication for the masses|date=January 13, 2016|access-date=September 4, 2020|archive-date=September 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929163651/http://www.asc.asn.au/blog/2016/01/13/sciencealert-science-communication-for-the-masses/|url-status=live}}</ref> Cribb concluded his role as editor at ScienceAlert in 2015. From 2017-2024, Fiona MacDonald was CEO of ScienceAlert, with Cassella acting as COO/CFO.<ref name="parf">{{Cite web|url=https://www.parfemme.net/blogs/stories/in-touch-with-scientist-fiona-mcdonald|title=Parfemme: In Touch With Scientist and Mother Fiona MacDonald|access-date=2020-09-04|archive-date=2020-09-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928084143/https://parfemme.net/blogs/stories/in-touch-with-scientist-fiona-mcdonald|url-status=live}}</ref> Prior to this role, MacDonald had worked with the news site for more than a decade as an editor and then the director of content. She's now listed as a co-founder of the site.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inspiringnsw.org.au/2014/12/09/building-online-communities/|title=Building online communities|first=Inspiring|last=NSW|date=December 9, 2014|website=Inspiring Australia|access-date=September 4, 2020|archive-date=September 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925163334/https://inspiringnsw.org.au/2014/12/09/building-online-communities/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="parf"/><ref name="SA"/><ref>https://www.sciencealert.com/our-team</ref> In 2024, Kate Mallord, formerly of Meta and  LinkedIn, was named CEO.<ref>https://www.sciencealert.com/our-team</ref> According to ''The Brilliant'', the editorial team has doubled since 2017.<ref name="br"/>

== Format ==
As of August 2023, ScienceAlert had the following sections: Space, Environment, Tech, Physics, Opinion, Health, Humans, Nature and Society. Readers could read the trending news or the latest news from the homepage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ScienceAlert |url=https://www.sciencealert.com/ |website=www.sciencealert.com |access-date=2020-09-04 |archive-date=2020-09-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200904132901/https://www.sciencealert.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

Category:2006 establishments in Australia
Category:Magazines published in Australia
Category:Science and technology magazines
Category:Magazines established in 2006
Category:Popular science magazines

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [ScienceAlert](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ScienceAlert) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ScienceAlert?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.