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Kate Holdsworth
Bachelor of Science (2001)
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (2002)
When Kate Holdsworth told people she was studying a double degree in Science and arts, many were sceptical about the unusual combination. But now, only years later, her biology/communications degree from the University of Wollongong has led her to a career as an award-winning journalist at a science magazine.
Kate is the Picture Editor and Editorial Co-ordinator at the biggest-selling Australian science magazine Cosmos. The popular bi-monthly publication has already racked up 14 journalism awards since its official launch in July 2005 including Magazine of the Year and Best Small Publisher.
“It’s a fantastic place to work,” said Kate. “The people are young and passionate about what they do. It’s the kind of place where you go to work each morning and come away at the end of the day having learnt something completely new and unexpected.”
After completing her honours year at UOW where her thesis explored the coverage of the stem cell debate in the Australian media, Kate finished an internship at the Illawarra Mercury before taking time off to live and work in Europe. She returned to Australia and briefly worked as a broadcast news reporter for Rehame before landing her Cosmos job.
“I have always been interested in science. However, I didn’t have the desire to become a scientist…I wanted to spend my time looking at the bigger picture and what it all means, rather than spending hours in a lab.”
At the age of 28, Kate’s talent for combining her scientific and writing skills resulted in her being awarded Best Newcomer to Journalism at the 2006 Bell Magazine Awards. “It was a huge surprise to receive that award. It has really motivated me to keep writing.”
Kate is also the News Editor for Cosmos’ sister magazine G - Australia’s first green lifestyle magazine – which offers positive, evidence-based advice for people who want to reduce their impact on the environment without having to sacrifice their lifestyle.
“It feels great working for a publishing house that cares about science and the environment, and wants to spread the word. I feel like I’m making a real contribution.”
During Kate’s time at Cosmos she has written on all sorts of topics, including weird and wonderful creatures such as waterbears, wolphins, fainting goats and genetically modified glowing fish. As Picture Editor, she has also had to track down a number of strange photographs from around the world.
“One of the weirdest was an image of a giant, diseased dreadlock stored in a museum in Poland,” she said.
Kate says that her study at UOW was invaluable in preparing her for her current role. “I am constantly using what I learned at university in my job. I think my degrees have really given me an extra edge in this industry.”