Q&A with Blake Forman, Technology Networks

We recently spoke with Blake Forman, senior science writer at Technology Networks, to get his views on the life sciences sector and working with the PR community.

How did you get into journalism?

Like many science journalists, my route into the field was far from linear. My curiosity for science led me to pursue an undergraduate degree in chemistry at the University of Surrey. As part of the course, I completed a placement year at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency at LGC. While I enjoyed the experience and the skills I gained, I quickly realised that a career in the lab was not for me.

When I finished my undergraduate degree, I knew I still wanted to stay connected to the science industry, but in a non-lab-based capacity. This led me into a role as an inside sales specialist for a lab instrument manufacturer, where I uncovered my interest in science marketing and communications. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, I decided to return to university, beginning a master's in chemistry at the University of Southampton, where I was attracted to the course modules in science writing and communication.

Having completed my studies, I landed my first role in science publishing, and I knew I had found the right path for me, where I could still contribute to science in a meaningful way, but through a passion for the written word. In 2024, I started a new role at Technology Networks as a senior science writer, where I now cover breaking science news. Being a science journalist is an incredibly rewarding career, and it’s great getting to work with individuals who share my passion. My journey to becoming a journalist showed me that there’s more than one way to contribute to science and highlighted how important trusted storytellers are to the industry.

Can you tell us more about Technology Networks?

Scientific research and breakthroughs are more widely reported than ever, and it can be hard for scientists to cut through the noise to find the stories that matter to them. That’s where Technology Networks shines. As a trusted science news publication, Technology Networks provides focused, high-quality coverage uniquely divided across 12 communities.

Our editorial team consists of scientists from a range of backgrounds who all share one thing in common – a passion for communicating science. Our mission is to support scientific discovery by providing content that educates and entertains a global audience, from our viral news stories to educational articles and online events.

Alongside supporting our readers’ efforts to further their scientific research, Technology Networks is also a trusted advertising partner, delivering exceptional advertising and lead generation services.

What are your biggest areas of interest within the life sciences sector?

My coverage is mostly focused on the pharma and biopharma industries, reporting on innovations across the entire drug development pipeline from preclinical research to manufacture. Some personal areas of interest include the development of advanced therapies such as cell and gene therapies and the constantly evolving regulatory landscape. While I am focused on drug discovery and biopharma predominantly, as an editorial team, we are always keen to hear from researchers and industry members who have a scientific breakthrough or innovation to share. We cover 12 core communities, and this includes a range of areas of interest, including cancer research, diagnostics, proteomics and more.

Any advice for PRs out there that want to pitch stories to Technology Networks?

As you can imagine, we receive a lot of pitches from PRs every day, and it can be time-consuming combing through these pitches for the most pertinent trends and breakthroughs to report on. My advice would be to lead with the novelty of the innovation/breakthrough and any unique viewpoints the proposed story provides. A short, snappy subject line highlighting what’s fresh about the story is a great way to stand out. I also think it's important for PRs to be open to suggestions from journalists; sometimes a pitch may inspire the journalist to approach the story from a different angle. A strong two-way relationship where you can throw ideas back and forth is key.

What is your biggest frustration within the PR community?

It can be frustrating when a PR hasn’t properly understood the publication they are pitching to. Keeping stories relevant helps reduce the number of pitches journalists receive and improves the journalist's impression of the PR, increasing chances that we will pick up the stories they are pitching to us.

Who would you most like to interview, and why?

I’ve had the privilege of interviewing some amazing scientists in my career, but someone that I would love to speak with is Dr. Katalin Karikó. Karikó, along with Dr. Drew Weissman, won the 2023 Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology for their research on nucleoside base modifications, which began in the 1990s and ultimately enabled the development of life-saving COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. I would love to hear more about her story as a scientist and her perspectives on the future of mRNA vaccines, given the surge in interest they’ve had following the COVID-19 pandemic.