The University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University won’t be teaming up to host a national science writers conference they’d initially committed to support.
Pitt and CMU committed to host the Science Writers 2025 conference last year, but on Feb. 13 they withdrew that commitment, according to a statement from the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing and the National Association of Science Writers.
Sandeep Ravindran, president of the National Association of Science Writers, was traveling and not available for comment Friday.
The universities reneged on a commitment to pay a hosting fee and provide logistical support for the annual gathering of science writers.
“Despite our efforts, subsequent discussions have not led to a resolution,” the statement from the writing groups noted.
Pitt spokesman Jared Stonesifer cited “the changing circumstances and need for fiscal prudence while we evaluate the evolving landscape” as the reason for the move, alluding to, but not specifically mentioning potential National Institutes of Health cuts.
“The University of Pittsburgh regrettably is no longer in a position to co-host the National Association of Science Writers Conference,” Stonesifer said. “We are working with conference organizers to support a smooth transition.”
NIH is Pitt’s largest federal research sponsor at nearly $700 million, funding that represents more than half of the university’s $1.2 billion in research expenditures, primarily focused on the health sciences, according to the university.
Carnegie Mellon, which received $37.4 million in research funding from NIH last year, has said the changes would have immediate and sweeping consequences for research universities across the country.
“The financial impact of federal research funding cuts has had a direct impact on the resources available to host the 2025 ScienceWriters Conference, which Carnegie Mellon University planned to support with our partners at the University of Pittsburgh,” a Carnegie Mellon spokesperson wrote in a statement. “While we looked forward to helping facilitate this worthwhile event, given the current climate and uncertainties ahead, we could not commit to providing the support necessary for an event of this magnitude.
“We regret that circumstances forced this decision as we hoped to host the writers doing the vital work of spreading the word about life-changing research from our campuses and elsewhere.”
The organizers of the conference said they are seeking another college town to host.
The 2024 conference was held in Raleigh, N.C., a haven for science research with Duke, University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University nearby.
Other hosts have included Boulder, Colo., and Memphis, Tenn.
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