{{Short description|American journalist (1956–2021)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2021}} {{Infobox person | name = Sharon Begley | image = TAM 6 - Sharon Begley (2617787771) (cropped).jpg | caption = Sharon Begley speaking at The Amaz!ng Meeting in 2008 | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth date|mf=yes|1956|6|14}} | birth_place = Englewood, New Jersey, U.S. | website = {{URL|www.sharonlbegley.com}} | death_date = {{death date and age|mf=yes|2021|1|16|1956|6|14}} | death_place = Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | resting_place = | resting_place_coordinates = | education = Yale University (BA) | employer = ''The Boston Globe'' | occupation = Columnist, journalist, author | known_for = Writing about science, technology, and medicine | notable_works = ''Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain: How a New Science Reveals Our Extraordinary Potential to Transform Ourselves'' (2007) | boards = | spouse = Ned Groth | children = Sarah Begley, Dan Begley-Groth | parents = }}
'''Sharon Begley''' (June 14, 1956 – January 16, 2021) was an American journalist who was the senior science writer for ''Stat'', a publication from ''The Boston Globe'' that covers stories related to the life sciences.<ref>{{cite news |last=Boodman |first=Eric |url=https://www.statnews.com/2021/01/17/sharon-begley-path-breaking-science-journalist-dies/ |title=Sharon Begley, path-breaking science journalist, dies at 64 |work=Stat |publisher=The Boston Globe |date=January 17, 2021 |accessdate=January 17, 2021}}</ref><ref name=AboutSB>{{cite web|title=Sharon Begley: About|url=http://www.sharonlbegley.com/home|website=SharonBegley.com|accessdate=October 12, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930164220/http://www.sharonlbegley.com/home|archivedate=September 30, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Begley|first1=Sharon|title=Genome-editing find may improve system's precision|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2015/09/25/crispr-genome-editing-discovery-may-upend-high-stakes-patent-dispute/9WQTAQe2xuphAuMtindB4K/story.html|website=Stat|publisher=The Boston Globe|accessdate=October 20, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001220645/http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2015/09/25/crispr-genome-editing-discovery-may-upend-high-stakes-patent-dispute/9WQTAQe2xuphAuMtindB4K/story.html|archivedate=October 1, 2015|date=September 25, 2015}}</ref> She regularly contributed articles to the ''Yale Scientific Magazine'' while at University.<ref name="YaleDailyNews" /> She published recurring columns and feature articles in several mainstream publications on a wide variety of scientific topics.<ref name="AspenBios">{{cite web |url=http://www.aspeninstitute.org/policy-work/health-medicine-society/aspen-health-forum-2007/speaker-biographies-l |title=Speaker Biographies A to L: The Aspen Institute |accessdate=October 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150330010101/http://www.aspeninstitute.org/policy%2Dwork/health%2Dmedicine%2Dsociety/aspen%2Dhealth%2Dforum%2D2007/speaker%2Dbiographies%2Dl|url-status=dead |archivedate=March 30, 2015}}</ref><ref name=Post>{{cite web|title=Search Results for: sharon begley |url=http://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/?s=sharon+begley&submit= |website=The Saturday Evening Post |accessdate=October 17, 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017011916/http://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/?s=sharon%2Bbegley&submit= |archivedate=October 17, 2015 |date=October 16, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Begley was also an author<ref name=MindAndBrain>{{cite book|last1=Schwartz|first1=Jeffrey M.|authorlink=Jeffrey M. Schwartz|last2=Begley|first2=Sharon|title=The Mind and the Brain: Neuroplasticity and the Power of Mental Force|date=2002|publisher=ReganBooks|location=New York City|isbn=0060393556|url=https://archive.org/details/mindbrainneuropl00schw}}</ref><ref name=EmotionalLife>{{cite book|last1=Davidson|first1=Richard J.|authorlink=Richard Davidson|last2=Begley|first2=Sharon|title=The Emotional Life of Your Brain: How Its Unique Patterns Affect the Way You Think, Feel, and Live—and How You Can Change Them|date=2013|publisher=The Penguin Group|location=New York City|isbn=978-0-452-29888-0}}</ref><ref name=TrainYourMind>{{cite book|last1=Begley|first1=Sharon|title=Train Your Mind Change Your Brain: How a New Science Reveals Our Extraordinary Potential to Transform Ourselves|url=https://archive.org/details/trainyourmindcha00begl_0|url-access=registration|date=2008|publisher=Ballantine Books|location=New York City|isbn=978-0-345-47989-1}}</ref> and spoke at professional and community organizations. Her topics included the neuroplasticity of the brain, issues affecting science journalism, and education.<ref name=Speeches>{{cite web|title=Speeches and Appearances|url=http://www.sharonlbegley.com/recent-speeches|website=SharonBegley.com|accessdate=October 17, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930114010/http://www.sharonlbegley.com/recent-speeches|archivedate=September 30, 2015 }}</ref><ref name=TAM6>{{cite web|last1=Wagg|first1=Jeff|title=TAM 6 Presenters|url=http://archive.randi.org/site/index.php/2-uncategorised/155-tam-6-presenters.html|website=James Randi Educational Foundation|accessdate=October 22, 2015|date=February 4, 2008}}</ref> She appeared on radio and television to discuss topics covered in her articles and books.<ref>{{cite web|title=Charlie Rose|url=http://www.tv.com/shows/charlie-rose/season-2001/|website=TV.com|accessdate=October 22, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151022225450/http://www.tv.com/shows/charlie-rose/season-2001/|archivedate=October 22, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Sharon Begley: About the Author|url=http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/59962/sharon-begley|website=Penguin Books|accessdate=October 22, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151022225214/http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/59962/sharon-begley|archivedate=October 22, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Flatow|first1=Ira|title=Can Thoughts and Action Change Our Brains?|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7131130|website=NPR|accessdate=October 22, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914122120/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7131130|archivedate=September 14, 2015 |date=February 2, 2007}}</ref> Begley attracted both praise and criticism as a writer.<ref name="SBawards" /><ref name="PZ" /><ref name="Orac" /><ref name="psych" />
== Early life == Begley was born Sharon Lynn Begley, on June 14, 1956, in Englewood, New Jersey, to Shirley (née Wintner) and John J. Begley Jr. Her father was a stockbroker while her mother was a homemaker.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Seelye|first=Katharine Q.|date=January 22, 2021|title=Sharon Begley, a Top Science Journalist, Is Dead at 64|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/22/science/sharon-begley-dead.html|access-date=January 23, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> She grew up in Tenafly, New Jersey, where she graduated from high school as a valedictorian.<ref name=":0" /> She graduated from Yale University in 1977 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in combined sciences.<ref name="UNCA" />
==Career== Begley started her career as a journalist during her undergraduate studies, where she was a contributing reporter for ''Yale Scientific Magazine''.<ref name="YaleDailyNews">{{cite web|last1=Gellman|first1=Lindsay|title=Science Publications Suffer|url=http://yaledailynews.com/blog/2010/01/20/science-publications-suffer/|website=Yale Daily News|date=January 20, 2010 |publisher=Yale University|accessdate=October 11, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151011162056/http://yaledailynews.com/blog/2010/01/20/science-publications-suffer/|archivedate=October 11, 2015}}</ref> She began work with ''Newsweek'' upon graduation in 1977,<ref>{{cite web|title=Sharon Begley|url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/article-1G2-3413200044/begley-sharon-lynn-1956.html|website=Encyclopedia.com|accessdate=October 18, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018021659/http://www.encyclopedia.com/article-1G2-3413200044/begley-sharon-lynn-1956.html|archivedate=October 18, 2015 }}</ref> and by October 1984 she had already been named as a recipient of the Newspaper Guild of New York's Page One Award in the category of science reporting in magazines for the ''Newsweek'' article "How the Brain Works".<ref name=1984award>{{cite web|title=Newspaper Guild Gives 23 Journalism Awards|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/10/15/nyregion/newspaperguildgives-23-journalism-awards.html|website=The New York Times N.Y. / Region|accessdate=October 18, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524153814/http://www.nytimes.com/1984/10/15/nyregion/newspaperguildgives-23-journalism-awards.html|archivedate=May 24, 2015|date=October 15, 1984}}</ref>
Begley's tenure with ''Newsweek'' established her as a well-known science communicator.<ref name="SBawards" /><ref name="YaleOffCommAffair" /> She received accolades from the Religion Communicators Council for the 1998 article "Science Finds God".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Begley|first1=Sharon|title=Science Finds God|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/newsweek/science_of_god/scienceofgod.htm|website=WP Newsweek|publisher=Newsweek|accessdate=October 18, 2015|date=1998}}</ref> Her 2002 article "The Mystery of Schizophrenia" received honors from the National Alliance on Mental Illness.<ref name="SBawards" /><ref name="NAMI" /><ref>{{cite web|last1=Begley|first1=Sharon|title=The Mystery of Schizophrenia|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/newsweek-cover-the-mystery-of-schizophrenia-76241432.html|website=PR Newswire|accessdate=October 18, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018200836/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/newsweek-cover-the-mystery-of-schizophrenia-76241432.html|archivedate=October 18, 2015|date=March 3, 2002}}</ref> Other awards have cited her clarity of communication and the accessibility of her articles in furthering the public's understanding of science.<ref name="YaleOffCommAffair" /><ref name="YCC" />
In March 2002, after 25 years at ''Newsweek'', Begley joined ''The Wall Street Journal'' to write its weekly science column called Science Journal.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Begley|first1=Sharon|title=Wall Street Journal Index|url=http://www.sharonlbegley.com/wall-street-journal-index|website=Sharon Begley.com|accessdate=October 18, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130804075208/http://www.sharonlbegley.com/wall-street-journal-index|archivedate=August 4, 2013}}</ref> Only three months later, "So Much for Destiny: Even Thoughts Can Turn Genes 'On' and 'Off", earned Begley a Front Page Award for Best Column/Editorial from the Newswomen's Club of New York.<ref name="SBawards" /><ref name="YaleOffCommAffair" /><ref name="WomenAward" /> More awards followed for her reporting on a wide variety of topics related to scientific research,<ref name ="SBawards" /><ref name="YaleOffCommAffair" /><ref name="ExploreAward" /><ref name="Clarion2005" /> including an honorary doctorate of humane letters degree from the University of North Carolina.<ref name="AspenBios" /><ref name="UNCA" />
In 2007, Begley returned to writing an award-winning science column at ''Newsweek''.<ref name="SBawards" /><ref name="AmStat" /><ref name="BrainRace" /><ref name="Gen2009" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Sharon Begley Returns to Newsweek; Will Write Column, Essays Contribute to Newsweek.com|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sharon-begley-returns-to-newsweek-will-write-column-essays-contribute-to-newsweekcom-54206242.html|website=PR Newsletter |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018010842/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sharon-begley-returns-to-newsweek-will-write-column-essays-contribute-to-newsweekcom-54206242.html|archivedate=October 18, 2015|date=February 2, 2007 |accessdate=May 9, 2017}}</ref> In 2010 ''Newsweek'' formed an alliance with ''The Daily Beast'',<ref>{{cite web|last1=Brown|first1=Tina|authorlink=Tina Brown|title=Daily Beast, Newsweek to Wed!|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2010/11/11/the-daily-beast-and-newsweek-to-wed.html|website=The Daily Beast|accessdate=October 18, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017091241/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2010/11/11/the-daily-beast-and-newsweek-to-wed.html|archivedate=October 17, 2015|date=November 11, 2010}}</ref> and Begley's byline often appeared on this site as well.<ref name="AboutSB" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Sharon Begley|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/contributors/sharon-begley.html|website=The Daily Beast|accessdate=October 18, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920054039/http://www.thedailybeast.com/contributors/sharon-begley.html|archivedate=September 20, 2015}}</ref> From 2012 until 2015 she worked as senior health and science editor at Reuters.<ref name="AboutSB" />
In August 2015, the first article appeared under the masthead of the ''Boston Globe's'' new science publication ''Stat''<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kennedy|first1=Dan|title=Boston Globe's Stat project publishes its first story|url=http://dankennedy.net/2015/08/21/boston-globes-stat-project-publishes-its-first-story/|website=Media Nation|accessdate=October 18, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915071856/http://dankennedy.net/2015/08/21/boston-globes-stat-project-publishes-its-first-story/|archivedate=September 15, 2015|date=August 2015}}</ref> with Begley as a member of the inaugural staff.<ref name="AboutSB" /><ref>{{cite web|last1=Begley|first1=Sharon|title=In cancer treatment, precision medicine is less precise than promised|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2015/08/29/cancer-treatment-precision-medicine-less-precise-than-promised/tqnqPMC7E8nNoDSPWOeUlK/story.html|website=Boston Globe|accessdate=October 18, 2015|date=August 29, 2015}}</ref>
On November 7th, 2025, ''Stat'' posthumously published a text by Begley, a critical obituary for James Watson she had prewritten before her own death.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Begley |first=Sharon |date=2025-11-07 |title=James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers |url=https://www.statnews.com/2025/11/07/james-watson-remembrance-from-dna-pioneer-to-pariah/ |access-date=2025-11-09 |website=STAT |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Books== thumb|left|Countryside near McLeod Ganj, a scene similar to that in the opening pages of ''Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain''In 2002 the book ''The Mind and the Brain: Neuroplasticity and the Power of Mental Force'', Begley and Jeffrey M. Schwartz explained the results of Schwartz's research into the origin and treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder.<ref name="MindAndBrain" /> Here, Schwartz explores the subject of the neuroplasticity of the brain and expands upon the idea of "brain lock", a term he introduced in his 1997 book ''Brain Lock: Free Yourself from Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior''.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Schwartz|first1=Jeffrey|last2=Beyette|first2=Beverly|title=Brain Lock: Free Yourself from Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior|date=1997|publisher=Regan Books|location=New York City|isbn=0-06-098711-1|url=https://archive.org/details/brainlockfreeyou00schw_0}}</ref>
Featuring a foreword written by Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama and a preface by Daniel Goleman, ''Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain: How a New Science Reveals Our Extraordinary Potential to Transform Ourselves'' was published in 2007.<ref name="TrainYourMind" /> This book begins with a description of the visit by scientists from the Mind and Life Institute to the northern Indian town of McLeod Ganj—the home of the 14th Dalai Lama in exile. The book then explores the ability of various therapeutic treatments to change the functioning of the neural pathways of the brain and the relationship between this research and the traditional meditative practices of Buddhism.<ref name="TrainYourMind" />
In 2012 Begley again served as a co-author, this time with Richard Davidson, for ''The Emotional Life of Your Brain: How its Unique Patterns Affect the Way You Think, Feel, and Live — and How You Can Change Them''.<ref name="EmotionalLife" /> The premise of this book is that each person has an individual "Emotional Style". Davidson uses six parameters to determine this Emotional Style: Resilience, Outlook, Social Intuition, Self-Awareness, Sensitivity to Context, and Attention.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Davidson|first1=Richard J.|last2=Begley|first2=Sharon|title=The Emotional Life of Your Brain: How Its Unique Patterns Affect the Way You Think, Feel, and Live—and How You Can Change Them|date=2012|publisher=Penguin Books|location=New York City|isbn=978-0-452-29888-0|pages=4–6}}</ref>
==Reception== "Why Doctors Hate Science", published in ''Newsweek'' in 2009,<ref name=HateScience>{{cite journal|last1=Begley|first1=Sharon|title=Why Doctors Hate Science|url=http://www.newsweek.com/begley-why-doctors-hate-science-82389|journal=Newsweek|accessdate=October 17, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151012000237/http://www.newsweek.com/begley-why-doctors-hate-science-82389|archivedate=October 12, 2015|date=February 27, 2009|volume=153|issue=10|page=49|pmid=19323316}}</ref> prompted many critical responses. David Gorski, writing under his pen name "Orac", took issue with Begley's characterization of medical practitioners as ignoring basic medical science.<ref name=Orac>{{cite web|last1=Gorski|first1=David|title="Why doctors hate science"? More like: Why does Sharon Begley hate doctors?|url=http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2009/03/04/doctors-hate-science-more-like-sharon-be/|website=Science Based Medicine / Respectful Insolence|accessdate=October 17, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907121550/http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2009/03/04/doctors-hate-science-more-like-sharon-be/|archivedate=September 7, 2015|date=March 4, 2009}}</ref> One example used by Begley was that of women continuing to receive pap tests after having had total hysterectomies.<ref name="HateScience" /> Gorski looked into this claim, and found that the subject of Begley's source for this claim was full hysterectomies and hysterectomies for benign conditions of the uterus.<ref name="Orac" /> Ongoing Pap smears are still indicated for women who have had partial hysterectomies, or who have had uterine cancer.<ref name="Orac" /> "Begley may indeed have a point that too many pap smears are still done after hysterectomy, by simplifying and mocking she completely undermined her point–not to mention showed that she doesn't understand the issues involved. Either that, or she does understand them but decided to score cheap points against physicians instead of adding three words after "hysterectomy": "for benign disease." ... At the very least, Begley should have acknowledged that her blanket statement is more than a bit over-the-top."<ref name="Orac" /> This and similar criticism from other defenders of the medical community prompted Begley to write a follow-up article entitled "Why Psychologists Reject Science", in which she referred to the previous article as one in which she was "asking, facetiously" why doctors hated science, but then went on to explain that, "The problem is even worse in psychology."<ref name=psych>{{cite web|last1=Begley|first1=Sharon|title=Why Psychologists Reject Science|url=http://www.newsweek.com/why-psychologists-reject-science-begley-81063|website=Newsweek|accessdate=October 17, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915224654/http://www.newsweek.com/why-psychologists-reject-science-begley-81063|archivedate=September 15, 2015|date=October 1, 2009}}</ref> This prompted a fresh wave of criticism, such as that expressed by Leslie Becker-Phelps in ''Psychology Today'' when she referred to Begley's article as "alarmingly misleading".<ref name=PsychToday>{{cite web|last1=Becker-Phelps|first1=Leslie|title='Psychologists Reject Science': A False and Misleading Article Danger: Newsweek reports psychologists reject science and are ineffective.|url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/making-change/200910/psychologists-reject-science-false-and-misleading-article|website=Psychology Today|accessdate=October 17, 2015|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20111112095155/http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/making-change/200910/psychologists-reject-science-false-and-misleading-article|archivedate=November 12, 2011|date=October 13, 2009}}</ref> Becker-Phelps stressed the intense educational requirements of the field and stated that, "the APA mandates that its member psychologists ''use'' their scientific knowledge in their clinical judgments."<ref name="PsychToday" />
When Begley's article "Placebo Power" appeared in the January/February 2013 issue of the ''Saturday Evening Post'' highlighting the perceived power of the placebo effect,<ref name=Placebo>{{cite web|last1=Begley|first1=Sharon|title=Placebo Power|url=http://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2013/01/02/in-the-magazine/health-in-the-magazine/placebo-power.html|website=The Saturday Evening Post|accessdate=October 17, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602172856/http://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2013/01/02/in-the-magazine/health-in-the-magazine/placebo-power.html|archivedate=June 2, 2015 |date=January 2013}}</ref> it raised criticisms from science writers and skeptics. Skeptical blogger and science writer PZ Myers said of "Placebo Power", "She's got a tendency to go charging off into fluff and that's what's happened here."<ref name=PZ>{{cite web|last1=Myers|first1=P. Z.|authorlink=PZ Myers|title=Talking about Bad Science|url=http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2013/01/05/talking-about-bad-science/|website=Freethought Blogs / Pharyngula|accessdate=October 17, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003190736/http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2013/01/05/talking-about-bad-science/|archivedate=October 3, 2015|date=January 5, 2013}}</ref> Myers' objection largely rested on Begley's reliance on anecdotal evidence to bolster claims of the efficacy of placebo treatments.<ref name="PZ" /> Similar objections were raised by Steven Novella. "Those skeptics that Begley seems to dismiss have done the hard work for her and other journalists of actually reading the original research, digging down to the salient details, and teasing out the nuances that make all the difference to a proper interpretation of a complex clinical issue."<ref name=Novella>{{cite web|last1=Novella|first1=Steven|authorlink=Steven Novella|title=The Placebo Narrative|url=https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/the-placebo-narrative/|website=Science Based Medicine|accessdate=October 17, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229234903/http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/the-placebo-narrative/|archivedate=December 29, 2014|date=January 16, 2013}}</ref>
Other articles by Begley have attracted criticism from the political arena.<ref name=YCC>{{cite web|last1=Dawson|first1=Bill|title=Newsweek's 'Hoax' Cover Story Raises Ire of Deniers, ... and also Criticism from Within|url=http://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/2007/10/newsweeks-hoax-cover-story-raises-ire-of-deniers-and-also-criticism-from-within/|website=Yale Climate Connections|publisher=Yale University|accessdate=October 11, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005203637/http://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/2007/10/newsweeks-hoax-cover-story-raises-ire-of-deniers-and-also-criticism-from-within/|archivedate=October 5, 2015|date=October 1, 2007}}</ref> The cover of the August 13, 2007, issue of ''Newsweek'' bore the large-print words: "Global Warming is a Hoax*", with the asterisk pointing to the smaller-print words: "*or so claim well-funded naysayers who still reject the overwhelming evidence of climate change."<ref name=DenialArticle>{{cite web|last1=Begley |first1=Sharon |title=The Truth About Denial (Article (also published with the title "Inside the Denial Machine") |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20122975/site/newsweek/page/0/ |website=MSNBC.com / Newsweek |accessdate=October 18, 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070820002929/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20122975/site/newsweek/page/0/ |archivedate=August 20, 2007 |date=August 13, 2007 |url-status=unfit }}</ref> Anthropogenic climate change denier Marc Morano, former communications director for Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe, referred to the article as a "one-sided editorial, masquerading as a 'news article.'"<ref name="YCC" /> This and other articles on the subject of climate change by Begley were cited in a press release by Morano as part of the reason for launching Climate Depot—a website devoted to denying the scientific evidence of anthropogenic climate change.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Morano|first1=Marc|title=Climate Depot: Redefining Global Warming Reporting|url=http://www.climatedepot.com/about/|website=Climate Depot|publisher=Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT)|accessdate=October 18, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906062726/http://www.climatedepot.com/2009/04/06/climate-depot-aims-to-redefine-global-warming-reporting/|archivedate=September 6, 2015|date=April 6, 2009|quote="For far too long, climate and environmental news has been tainted by the woeful reporting of journalists like . . . ''Newsweek's'' Sharon Begley . . . and many others," Morano said.}}</ref> Criticism of the August 13, 2007, article also came from fellow ''Newsweek'' columnist Robert Samuelson. In a column that appeared in the next issue, Samuelson characterized the article as "'fundamentally misleading' because it focused on the 'peripheral' actions of the 'denial machine' instead of the intractability of man-made warming".<ref name="YCC" />
==Awards== * 1984 Page One Award (Science Reporting in Magazines) from The Newspaper Guild of New York (for the 1983 ''Newsweek'' article "How the Brain Works")<ref name="1984award" /> * 1986 First place Award (Food News Reporting, circulation over 200,001) from the Association of Food Journalists<ref>{{cite web|title=ASSOCIATION OF FOOD JOURNALISTS AWARDS COMPETITION 1986|url=http://www.afjonline.com/uploads/AFJ%20Awards%20Competition%20Winners%201986-2012.pdf|website=Association of Food Journalists|accessdate=October 22, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151013152921/http://www.afjonline.com/uploads/AFJ%20Awards%20Competition%20Winners%201986-2012.pdf|archivedate=October 13, 2015|date=1986}}</ref> * 1992 Outstanding Achievement in Media from the American Society on Aging<ref name="AspenBios" /><ref name="SBawards" /> * 1993 Premier Award for Space Coverage from the Aviation/Space Writers Association (for the 1992 ''Newsweek'' articles "ET Phone Us" and "The Science of Doom")<ref name="TAM6" /><ref name="SBawards" /><ref name=ET>{{cite web|last1=Begley|first1=Sharon|title=E.T. Phone Us|url=http://www.newsweek.com/et-phone-us-199802|website=Newsweek|accessdate=October 16, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114155712/http://www.newsweek.com/et-phone-us-199802|archivedate=January 14, 2014|date=October 11, 1992}}</ref><ref name=Doom>{{cite web|last1=Begley|first1=Sharon|title=The Science of Doom|url=http://www.newsweek.com/science-doom-196978|website=Newsweek|accessdate=October 16, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224083920/http://www.newsweek.com/science-doom-196978|archivedate=December 24, 2014 |date=November 22, 1992}}</ref> * 1997 Clarion Award (Magazine Article) from The Association for Women in Communication (for the 1996 ''Newsweek article'' "Your Child's Brain")<ref name="TAM6"/><ref name="SBawards" /><ref name="ChildBrain" /> * 1997 Distinguished Achievement Award from the Educational Press Association of America (for the 1996 ''Newsweek'' article "Your Child's Brain")<ref name="TAM6" /><ref name="SBawards" /><ref name=ChildBrain>{{cite web|last1=Begley|first1=Sharon|title=Your Child's Brain|url=http://www.newsweek.com/your-childs-brain-179930|website=Newsweek|accessdate=October 16, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222132910/http://www.newsweek.com/your-childs-brain-179930|archivedate=February 22, 2015|date=February 18, 1996}}</ref> * 1998 Wilbur Award (Magazines, National) from the Religion Communicators Council (for the 1998 ''Newsweek'' article "Science Finds God")<ref name="SBawards" /><ref name="findgod">{{cite news|last1=Begley|first1=Sharon|title=Science Finds God|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/newsweek/science_of_god/scienceofgod.htm|newspaper=Washington Post|accessdate=October 16, 2015|date=July 20, 1998}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=McAnally|first1=Thomas S.|title=Religion Communicators Council Celebrates 70th Anniversary|url=http://archive.wfn.org/1999/03/msg00196.html|website=Worldwide Faith News|accessdate=October 22, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151022173415/http://archive.wfn.org/1999/03/msg00196.html|archivedate=October 22, 2015|date=March 23, 1999}}</ref> * 1999 PASS Award from the National Council on Crime and Delinquency (for the 1999 ''Life'' magazine cover article "The Secret Life of Teens")<ref name="SBawards" /><ref>{{cite web|last1=Goodman|first1=Michelle|title=The Media Reflects Complicated Teen Realities|url=http://www.layouth.com/the-media-reflects-complicated-teen-realities/|website=LA Youth|accessdate=October 16, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108000330/http://www.layouth.com/the-media-reflects-complicated-teen-realities/|archivedate=January 8, 2015|date=September 1999}}</ref> * 2000 Front Page Award from the Newswomen's Club of New York<ref name="SBawards" /><ref name=IONS>{{cite web|title=Directory|url=http://www.noetic.org/directory/person/sharon-begley|website=IONS: Institute of Noetic Sciences|accessdate=October 16, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419080112/http://noetic.org/directory/person/sharon-begley/|archivedate=April 19, 2015}}</ref> * 2000 Best Feature Reporting from the Magazine Deadline Club, New York City Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists<ref name="SBawards" /><ref name="YaleOffCommAffair" /> * 2002 Front Page Award for Best Column/Editorial from Newspaper Newswomen's Club of New York (for the article "Even Thoughts Can Turn Genes on and Off")<ref name ="SBawards" /><ref name=YaleOffCommAffair>{{cite web|title=About Sharon Begley|url=http://communications.yale.edu/poynter/2009/11/01/sharon-begley|website=Yale Office of Public Affairs and Communications|publisher=Yale University|accessdate=October 16, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016154858/http://communications.yale.edu/poynter/2009/11/01/sharon-begley|archivedate=October 16, 2015|date=November 1, 2009}}</ref><ref name=WomenAward>{{cite web|title=The Newswomen's Club of New York Announces the 2002 Front Page Award Winners|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-newswomens-club-of-new-york-announces-the-2002-front-page-award-winners-76414667.html|website=PR Newswire|accessdate=October 16, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016155242/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-newswomens-club-of-new-york-announces-the-2002-front-page-award-winners-76414667.html|archivedate=October 16, 2015|date=October 22, 2002}}</ref> * 2002 NAMI Outstanding Media Award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (for the 2002 ''Newsweek'' article "The Mystery of Schizophrenia")<ref name="SBawards" /><ref name=NAMI>{{cite web|title=NAMI Announces Annual Media Awards for "Fair, Accurate, Sensitive" Reporting on Mental Illness|url=http://www.nami.org/Press-Media/Press-Releases/2002/NAMI-Announces-Annual-Media-Awards-for-Fair,-Accu|website=NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness|accessdate=October 16, 2015|date=June 21, 2002}}</ref><ref name=SchizMind>{{cite journal|last1=Begley|first1=Sharon|title=The Schizophrenic Mind|url=http://www.newsweek.com/schizophrenic-mind-141767|journal=Newsweek|accessdate=October 16, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016160806/http://www.newsweek.com/schizophrenic-mind-141767|archivedate=October 16, 2015|date=March 10, 2002|volume=139|issue=10|pages=44–51|pmid=11894588}}</ref> * 2004 Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters for contributions to the public understanding of science from the University of North Carolina<ref name="AspenBios" /><ref name ="SBawards" /><ref name=UNCA>{{cite web|title=Honorary Degree Recipients|url=https://www.unca.edu/honorary-degree-recipients|website=University of North Carolina Ashville|publisher=UNC|accessdate=October 16, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905205802/https://www.unca.edu/honorary-degree-recipients|archivedate=September 5, 2015}}</ref> * 2004 Clarion Award (Magazine Article, Weekly, Best Non-Opinion Newspaper Column) The Association for Women in Communication (for the ''Science Journal'' column)<ref name ="SBawards" /><ref name="YaleOffCommAffair" /> * 2005 Clarion Award (Magazine Article, Weekly, Best Non-Opinion Newspaper Column) from The Association for Women in Communications<ref name="SBawards" /><ref name="YaleOffCommAffair" /><ref name=Clarion2005>{{cite web|title=2005 Clarion Winners|url=http://www.womcom.org/wp/clarion-awards/clarion-winners/2005-clarion-winners/|website=The Association for Women in Communications|accessdate=October 16, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213013939/http://www.womcom.org/wp/clarion-awards/clarion-winners/2005-clarion-winners/|archivedate=February 13, 2015 }}</ref> * 2005 Public Understanding of Science Award from The Exploratorium, San Francisco (lifetime achievement)<ref name="SBawards" /><ref name="YaleOffCommAffair" /><ref name=ExploreAward>{{cite web|title=Exploratorium's 28th Annual Awards Dinner The Spectrum of Learning|url=http://www.exploratorium.edu/press-office/press-releases/exploratoriums-28th-annual-awards-dinner|website=Exploratorium|accessdate=October 16, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150916082901/http://www.exploratorium.edu/press-office/press-releases/exploratoriums-28th-annual-awards-dinner|archivedate=September 16, 2015|date=May 1, 2005}}</ref> * 2006 Excellence in Journalism from The American Aging Association (for Coverage of Research on Alzheimer's Disease)<ref name="AspenBios" /><ref name="SBawards" /><ref>{{cite web|title=2009 Speaker Sharon Begley Senior Editor, Newsweek|url=http://partnering4cures.org/speakers/begley.html|website=Partnering for Cures|accessdate=October 16, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016212627/http://partnering4cures.org/speakers/begley.html|archivedate=October 16, 2015}}</ref> * 2007 Global Media Award of Excellence for Best Environmental Reporting from The Population Institute (for the 2007 ''Newsweek'' article, "The Truth About Denial")<ref name="SBawards" /><ref name=PopInst>{{cite web|title=Population Institute Names 2007 Global Media Award Winners|url=https://www.populationinstitute.org/newsroom/news/view/19/|website=Population Institute|accessdate=October 16, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150606055951/http://www.populationinstitute.org/newsroom/news/view/19/|archivedate=June 6, 2015 |date=October 24, 2007}}</ref> * 2007 Genesis Award from the Humane Society of the United States (for the 2006 ''Newsweek'' article "Cry of the Wild: Gorilla Warfare")<ref name="SBawards" /><ref name="YaleOffCommAffair" /><ref name=Genesis2007>{{cite web|last1=Saunders|first1=Tim|title=Ellen DeGeneres Awarded by the Humane Society|url=https://www.looktothestars.org/news/2311-ellen-degeneres-awarded-by-the-humane-society|website=LookToTheStars.org|accessdate=October 16, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131119221710/http://www.looktothestars.org/news/2311-ellen-degeneres-awarded-by-the-humane-society|archivedate=November 19, 2013|date=April 6, 2009}}</ref> * 2009 American Statistical Association's Excellence in Statistical Reporting Award<ref name=SBawards>{{cite web|title=Awards|url=http://www.sharonlbegley.com/awards|website=SharonBegley.com|accessdate=October 16, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930115029/http://www.sharonlbegley.com/awards|archivedate=September 30, 2015}}</ref><ref name=AmStat>{{cite web|last1=Desmone|first1=Rosanne|title=Newsweek Science Columnist Sharon Begley Selected as Winner of ASA Excellence in Statistical Reporting Award|url=http://www.amstat.org/newsroom/pressreleases/SharonBegleyWinsESRAAward.pdf|website=Amstat.org|accessdate=October 16, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908060303/http://www.amstat.org/newsroom/pressreleases/SharonBegleyWinsESRAAward.pdf|archivedate=September 8, 2015|date=June 16, 2009}}</ref> * 2009 First place Award from New York Association of Black Journalists (for the 2008 ''Newsweek'' article, "How Your Brain Looks at Race")<ref name="SBawards" /><ref name="YaleOffCommAffair" /><ref name=BrainRace>{{cite web|last1=Begley|first1=Sharon|title=How Your Brain Looks at Race|url=http://www.newsweek.com/how-your-brain-looks-race-93741|website=Newsweek|accessdate=February 4, 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919223031/http://www.newsweek.com/how-your-brain-looks-race-93741|archivedate=September 19, 2015|date=February 23, 2008}}</ref> * 2009 Genesis Award for Outstanding Written Word from The Humane Society of the United States (for the 2008 ''Newsweek'' article "The Extinction Trade")<ref name="SBawards" /><ref name=Gen2009>{{cite web|last1=Fearing|first1=Jennifer|title=Raves Genesis Awards Stars Shine Brightly at The 23rd Genesis Awards|url=http://www.lipink.com/Raves-Genesis-Awards-s/10699.htm|website=LIP-INK|accessdate=October 16, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100505072417/http://www.lipink.com/Raves-Genesis-Awards-s/10699.htm|archivedate=May 5, 2010|date=March 30, 2009}}</ref><ref name=ExtinctionTrade>{{cite web|last1=Begley|first1=Sharon|title=Big Business: Wildlife Trafficking|url=http://www.newsweek.com/big-business-wildlife-trafficking-83865|website=Newsweek.com|publisher=Newsweek|accessdate=October 16, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150125053446/http://www.newsweek.com/big-business-wildlife-trafficking-83865|archivedate=January 25, 2015|date=March 1, 2008}}</ref>
== Personal life == Begley married Edward Groth in 1983 and went on to have a daughter and a son. Her husband was a scientist with Consumers Union. She died on January 16, 2021, from non-smoking lung cancer.<ref name=":0" />
== References == {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== *{{Charlie Rose guest|34}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Begley, Sharon}} Category:1956 births Category:2021 deaths Category:Yale College alumni Category:American columnists Category:American science journalists Category:American women columnists Category:Newsweek people Category:The Boston Globe people Category:Writers from Englewood, New Jersey Category:20th-century American journalists Category:20th-century American women journalists Category:20th-century American women writers Category:21st-century American journalists Category:21st-century American women journalists Category:21st-century American non-fiction writers Category:21st-century American women writers Category:American women science writers Category:Journalists from New Jersey Category:Deaths from lung cancer in Massachusetts