Bárbara Ferreira

Freelance Science Writer + Communications Manager

About

I started a new job at the European Southern Observatory in October 2020 and I am no longer freelancing. I will update this website when/if I restart my side gig as a freelance writer.
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I’m a freelance science writer specialising in astrophysics and space sciences. Before I began a career in science communication, I completed a masters in applied mathematics and a PhD in astrophysics at the University of Cambridge.Being someone with a strong scientific background and vast experience in science communication, I take pride in ensuring the texts I write are clear, accurate and engaging. I write news and background articles, press releases, video scripts and blog posts for a variety of audiences, and I also have experience in editing technical texts and papers.My work has featured on the websites of the European Space Agency, the European Southern Observatory and the European Geosciences Union, among others. In addition to astronomy and space science, I also write about climate, cryospheric sciences, natural hazards and other areas in the Earth sciences.I am based in Munich, Germany, where, in my day job, I work as media and communications manager at the European Geosciences Union.Interested in commissioning a text? Get in touch!

Selected writing samples

Athena science objectives
A text aimed at a scitech audience about the science goals of the future mission Athena, written for the European Space Agency and commissioned by EJR QuartzLess snow and a shorter ski season in the Alps
Press release about a scientific study written for the European Geosciences Union (as part of my day job)Tracing the dust trails of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko
An extended video caption written for a scitech audience for the European Space Agency, commissioned by EJR QuartzLittle Gem Nebula shows off its jewel tones
A Space in Images text written for the European Space Agency, commissioned by EJR QuartzNeutron stars
Video script for kids and the broader public written for the University of Amsterdam and commissioned by Science OfficeJupiter and its icy moons
Video script for the broader public written for Europlanet and commissioned by Science Office1.5°C vs 2°C global warming – new study shows why half a degree matters
Press release about a scientific study written for the European Geosciences Union (as part of my day job)When Astronomy Gets Closer to Home: Why space weather outreach is important and how to give it impact
Article written for the Communicating Astronomy with the Public journalPortrait of an imperfect but beautiful spiral
A Picture of the Week text written for the European Southern ObservatoryTycho’s drunken moose and other stories
A post written on my old blog Dinner Party Science, formerly hosted by Nature

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