74 Establishing Autonomy and Responsibilities of Science Writers http://dx.doi.org/10.25008/jkiski.v8i1.769 Ana Nadhya Abrar 1* , I Gusti Ngurah Putra 1 , Adam Wijoyo Sukarno 1 , Desmalinda 1 , Mirfath 1 1 Universitas Gadjah Mada Jl. Sosio Yustisia No. 1, Bulaksumur, Yogyakarta 55281 - Indonesia *Correspondent Author: ana.abrar@mail.ugm.ac.id Submitted: December 14, 2023, Revised: April 29, 2023, Accepted: June 12, 2023 Accredited by Kemristekdikti No. 28/E/KPT/2019 Abstract An important theme of science communication research is research on science article writers. However, not many scholars are interested in doing this research. Based on this fact, we conducted a research on the ideal position of a science article writer. It turns out that he definition of science writer has changed in Indonesia. Quantitative content analysis of articles reported by The Conversation Indonesia during December 2021 found that the writerss motivated the public to understand and use scientific principles to meet their daily needs. The results of in-depth interviews with three prominent professors at Universitas Gadjah Mada confirm the same fact. They do not just tell the object of research in a certain context. This fact certainly needs to be imitated by other science writers. However, there is a basic recipe that must be practiced by other science writers. The practice of the recipe will make them autonomous and responsible to society. Thus, the article will explain the ways that can be taken to make it happen. Keywords: Autonomy and responsibility; In depth-interview, Quantitative content analysis, The conversation Indonesia; Science writer Introduction The science writers referred to in this research are those who write research in reputable scientific journals and journalists who write articles about science in the mass media. For example, in health research, good science writers are the ones who can make recommendations to improve public understanding comparable to those proposed by the scientific community (Cooper et al., 2002). In addition, science writers must consider the content of writings based on novelty, applicability, controversy, credibility, and entertainment (Geller et al., 2005). Interests that aim to make the public understand the information written are the main aspects that science writers must have. The concept of audience theory explains the essence of how the public is interested in and attentive to the communication messages that the author produces and is intended for the public to understand, experience, and respond to in one way or another (Littlejohn & Foss, 2009). Good science writing has the potential to help improve people's science literacy index. In general, Indonesia's science literacy index is not yet known. However, referring to Jurnal Komunikasi Ikatan Sarjana Komunikasi Indonesia, Vol. 8 (1), 2023, 74-84 J U R N A L E-ISSN: 2503-0795 P-ISSN: 2548-8740 KOMUNIKASI IKATAN SARJANA KOMUNIKASI INDONESIA