Expertise Emerging global women's leadership; the democratization of science; higher education.

Claudia Dreifus writes about the lives of American and international scientists in her popular interview column in the Science Times section of The New York Times, "A Conversation with..." When the scientific honor society Sigma Xi made her an honorary member last year, they described her as "a pioneering and original force in making science accessible."

Ms. Dreifus' interviews with leading figures in world politics, particularly with emerging women leaders, have appeared in The New York Times Sunday Magazine, Ms., The Nation, Playboy, The Progressive, Mother Jones, Premiere, Town and Country, TV Guide, Modern Maturity, Mirabella and AARP's The Magazine, where she is a contributing editor, and many others.  

Two collections of her interviews, Scientific Conversations: Interviews on Science from the New York Times, and Interview, are used as texts in journalism classes throughout the world.  

Ms. Dreifus has reported from Chile, Nicaragua, Burma and Pakistan. Last year, the American Society of Journalists and Authors awarded her its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. She teaches "Magazine Writing With An International Dateline" at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA).

She is currently co-authoring a book, Higher Education? with the political scientist, Andrew Hacker to be published in September of 2009 by Holt/Times Books.

Honors and Affiliations

Her various honors and affiliations include the American Society of Journalists and Authors' Lifetime Achievement Award; being nominated for 1992 National Magazine Award by TV Guide for investigative report on censorship, "TVs Censor from Tupelo"; 1987 Outstanding Magazine Article Award from American Society of Journalists and Authors for "Rodrigo's Last Trip Home;" 1987 American Values Award for "How Rural Woman are Saving the Family Farm;" 1987 American Jewish Press Association's Simon Rockower Award for Distinguished Commentary for "Why I Write;" Special Award for Service to Women, YWCA of New York, 1980; Listed, "Who's Who In America, 2000;" Listed, "Who's Who In The World, 2000;" PEN; American Society of Journalists and Authors; The Authors Guild and The National Writer's Union 

Education 
B.S. in Dramatic Arts, New York University 

Languages 
German (fluent)

Scientific Conversations: Interviews on Science from the New York Times

Owl Books, 2002

Interview

Seven Stories Press, 1999

SELECTED ARTICLES

Read a number of Ms. Dreifus' New York Times pieces here

"A Genetic Engineer Sees a Bright Future, Cautiously," New York Times, April 29, 2008.

“The Smiling Professor,” for the New York Times, April 22, 2008.

"A Conversation with Dr. Terri Brentnall: One Gene Closer to Understanding Pancreatic Cancer," The New York Times, March 18, 2008.

"When Grizzlies Ruin Eden, Moose Take to the Road," The New York Times, February 12, 2008.

"Diversity Makes a Difference for All of Us," Ann Arbor News, January 27, 2008.

“In Professor’s Model, Diversity = Productivity,” The New York Times, January 8, 2008.

“Ambassador for big cats presses for big reserves,” The Oregonian, January 2, 2008.

"On the Ground and in the Water, Chasing a Giant Waves Path," International Herald Tribune, December 26, 2007.

"Zoologist Gives a Voice to Big Cats in the Wilderness," The New York Times, December 18, 2007.

“Through Analysis, Gut Reaction Gains Credibility,” The New York Times, Aug. 28, 2007.

"Using the 'Beauties of Physics' to Conquer Science Illiteracy," The New York Times, July 17, 2007.

“A Conversation with Gino Segre: In the Footsteps of His Uncle, Then His Father,” The New York Times, Aug. 14, 2007.

Women on Death Row, Ms. Magazine, March 2003.

LECTURES & APPEARANCES

On May 9, 2008, moderated the panel, “Science & Technology, the 2008 Election and Beyond,” at the American Association for the Advance of Science (AAAS) 2008 Forum in Washington, D.C.

Moderated a debate between Alec Ross, Barack Obama's science adviser and senior vice president of the non-profit One Economy Corporation, and Thomas Kalil, Hillary Clinton's adviser and special assistant to the chancellor for science and technology at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Boston, February 18, 2008.  Audio here.

Thomas Kalil, S&T adviser to the campaign of Senator Hillary Clinton; moderator Claudia Dreifus of the New York Times; and Alec Ross, S&T adviser to the campaign of Senator Barack Obama, during a debate at the AAAS Annual Meeting in Boston.

Bio Summary