Guru Magazine
Online crowd-sourced magazine
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Guru Magazine was an online crowd-sourced magazine supported by the Wellcome Trust.[1] and published by Guru Magazine Ltd. It was a bi-monthly popular science magazine published in DRM-free ePub, Adobe PDF and kindle formats.[2][3] Guru Magazine was designed to be read on tablet devices, smartphones and eReaders[4] to reduce publishing costs .[2] and for environmental reasons.[5]
The magazine was launched on 1 June 2011, and explores science topics and their relevance to everyday life.[6] The magazine is distributed for free on the magazine's website.[2] Dubbed a 'science lifestyle' periodical,[3][6] it was founded by Dr Stuart Farrimond, communications professional Ben Veal and graphic designer Sarah Joy in Trowbridge, UK.[2][4]
The magazine features crowd-sourced, original writing from scientists, journalists and students from around the world. Regular contributors are termed 'Gurus' and include South African broadcaster Daryl Illbury, Canadian personal trainer Matt Linsdell and Detroit-based Dr Kim Lacey.[2]
History and profile
Founder Dr Stuart Farrimond trained as a medical doctor before being diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour in 2008.[7] Following surgery he developed epilepsy and was unable to continue in the medical profession[8] He started a career in lecturing and science communication[4][9] and described his medical background as the inspiration to communicate 'tricky concepts'.[10] The magazine was launched following the apparent high readership of Dr Farrimond's science blog "Dr Stu’s Blog".[4][9] Stuart Farrimond described the magazine's launch as an effort to "bridge the gap between popular science writing and lifestyle magazine journalism"[5] and to give opportunities for new writers to get their work published.[11]
Since the magazine's launch, two of Guru Magazine's contributors, Stuart Farrimond and James Lloyd were finalists in the Wellcome Trust Science Writing Prize 2011 Archived 3 November 2011 at the Wayback Machine (in association with the 'Guardian' and the 'Observer')[12] and Stuart Farrimond was shortlisted for 'Individual contribution to Technology' Award in The SPARKies 2012[13] and 2013[14] for his efforts in developing Guru Magazine to bring science to the masses.
In September 2012, it was announced that Guru Magazine was awarded £12,000 for the funding of an interactive mobile application, allowing readers to access magazine content via Apple's Newsstand application and Google Play.[15] The mobile app, offering an automatic free subscription facility, was released on 28 March 2013.[16] Guru Magazine ceased publication in July 2018.
Magazine Gurus
Via print, and audio podcasts, Guru Magazine regularly showcased the work of several experts in various specialty areas; many of whom were then able to launch their own successful science-related communication, publishing, and education careers thereafter.
Regular “Gurus” included: [17]
- Dr. Stuart Farrimond (founder, editor, Science Guru)
- Ben Veal (Media Guru)
- Dr. James Lloyd (Physics Guru)
- Dr. Kim Lacey (Mind Guru)
- Dr. Jon Scott (Education Guru)
- Jon Crowe (Molecular Science Guru)
- Daryl Ilbury (Skeptic Guru)
- Ian Wildsmith (Design Guru)
- Matthew Linsdell (Fitness Guru)
- Dr. Artem Cheprasov (Animal Guru)