Over the last decades, science (and technology) magazines have become more mainstream and have helped promote what is known as popular science. As an interpretation of science intended for a general audience, it covers a broad range of scientific topics and, sometimes, even pseudo-science or controversial topics. This being said, this kind of magazines are still often written by science journalists or scientists themselves and serve as a bridge between scientific literature and popular culture, making scientific disciplines more accessible for a non-expert audience.

In the following, we will be presenting some of the most popular science magazines along with some focused on the technological and innovation fields.

• WIRED: Described by its authors as “the essential source of information and ideas that make sense of a world in constant transformation”, WIRED is mainly aimed at showing how technology affects a number of different areas, “from culture to business and from science to design”. This American magazine has become one of the most popular science outlets on emerging technologies and has featured guest editors such as James Cameron, Barack Obama or Serena Williams.
• Symmetry: If you are looking for a slightly more polished view, Symmetry magazine is your entrance to the world of particle physics: This online magazine features the latest news on the field, shows you who is really behind the science and shares all the background information necessary to start understanding the world of particle physics. Some of the featured topics include the Higgs boson, neutrinos as well as articles on dark matter and dark energy.
• Science & Vie: This monthly science magazine is a top seller in France. With it’s first issue released in 1913, it covers a wide range of fields, from health issues, the human body and brain to environmental matters, astronomy, technology and innovation topics, while also covering subjects on pseudo-science. Furthermore, during the 80’s decade two spin-off versions were launched, Science & Vie Micro (SVM) and Science & Vie Junior, it’s version for teenagers.
• New Scientist: With more than 50 years behind, this UK weekly magazine not only covers topics of science and technology but also features several sections to review and feature social commentary. Overall, the magazine aims at explaining what science and technology mean for humankind in our everyday life and in the future and tries to bridge between science, industry, art and culture.
• National Geographic: This worldly renowned magazine, founded in 1888, mainly features articles about geography, history, and world culture and became quite outspoken about environmental issues such as deforestation, chemical pollution, global warming, and endangered species. It has also become famous for the quality of its photography, depicting a number of “dynamical pictures” as the magazine’s trademark.

How many of these magazines did you already know? Don’t forget to leave your suggestions on other science and technology magazines in the comments section below!

Article written by: Marina Jiménez Iglesias, Project Officer, European Schoolnet.

Tags: Magazines, popular, pseudoscience, Reading, Science, Socioscience, techonology