Pitch Me Maybe: A Speed-Pitch Social for Science Stories

Come to Upstart on Wednesday, June 3 at 6:30 p.m. for a fast-paced, experimental evening that pairs scientists or researchers with our crew of journalists for a series of rapid, one-on-one exchanges.

Across multiple 5–8 minute rounds, you’ll share the heart of your work and the questions that drive you. In return, our journalists will reflect it back as a story that might reach and move a broader audience.

If you’ve ever struggled to tell the story of your work — which we know is often urgent and complex — this is a space to experiment and see how your ideas might take shape.

The evening will begin with a short introduction from our host Anne Shibata Casselman, who will offer guidance on how to approach your pitch and make the most of each exchange.

The registration fee for this event is $10. All proceeds of the event go to Upstart & Crow’s non-profit programming, including writer residencies, book clubs, grants and more. Please RSVP here to reserve your spot.

Please note: though we cannot guarantee that these pitches will result in published stories, consider this a low-stakes training wheels environment to practice your media engagement skills as a scientist! And have fun!

More about the facilitator: Anne Shibata Casselman reports science, environment and public interest stories for outlets like Maclean’s, The Walrus, National Geographic, Scientific American, Canadian Geographic, among others.

Casselman has been a journalism fellow of the Marine Biological Laboratory’s Logan Science Journalism program in Wood’s Hole, Massachusetts; IJNR’s Kalamazoo River Institute fellowship in Michigan; and the COMPASS Journalism Fellowship in Toronto.

Her piece Canada in the Year 2060 received the Gold Medal for long-form feature writing at the National Magazine Awards. She was the recipient of the 2025 Upstart & Crow Non-Fiction Writers' Residency and she currently lives in Vancouver, Canada.

More about Upstart & Crow:

Upstart & Crow is a not-for-profit creative studio and literary incubator that champions writers, readers and stories, and the role they play in shaping our lives. We develop original programs, support artists and revel in creative projects focused on Literature In Translation / Climate Solutions / Poetry / Civic Dialogue / Community & Skills Building … all with the aim of elevating the role of literature and storytelling in our lives. Find us on Granville Island, Gibsons and online at upstartandcrow.com.

Accessibility:

The main studio of our shop is accessible for folks with mobility aids. There is a washroom on the main floor available for attendees. As part of disability justice and community care for the chronically ill, vulnerable and elderly, we ask that you refrain from attending if you feel sick.

Questions: hello[at]upstartandcrow.com.

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