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 (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.

References

  1. ^ "Public Engagement Funded People Awards" Archived 18 May 2012 at the Library of Congress Web Archives, Wellcome Trust. Retrieved 27 November 2012.
  2. ^ a b c d e Halfacree, G. "Guru Magazine pushes a publishing revolution", thinq_, 11 August 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
  3. ^ a b Irvine, R. Best Free Digital Magazines, Webuser Magazine, 5 April 2012, 286: 56.
  4. ^ a b c d Wilkinson, M. "Trowbridge doctor's bid to make science fun", Wiltshire Times, 12 August 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
  5. ^ a b Riggen-Ransom, M. "Guru Magazine sets the poetry of science to digital motion", Pop!Tech, 19 August 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
  6. ^ a b Good, B. "Launch of Guru, a new science magazine", Association of British Science Writers, 31 May 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
  7. ^ Parkes, B. "Doc on bike prior to brain op", Wiltshire Times, 10 April 2008. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
  8. ^ Dubrovnik, E. "Elvis + Interview with Dr Stu Farrimond + Hair vs Fur (podcast)" Archived 25 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Reality Check (podcast), 17 October 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
  9. ^ a b Cowan, K. "Science lifestyle project gets worldwide attention" Archived 2 December 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Creative Bloom, 23 August 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
  10. ^ Jones, A. "Dr Stu's Guru!", Trowbridge Magazine, 1 September 2011, pg 12. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
  11. ^ Purcell, A. "Interview with a Guru", I, Science, 21 July 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2011
  12. ^ Cowan, K. "National Science awards recognition for two guru magazine writers" Archived 25 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Creative Bloom, 19 October 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
  13. ^ Maher Roberts, D. "SPARKies 2012: Full List of Finalists", Bath Digital, 5 March 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  14. ^ James, K. "SPARKIES shortlist focus: individual contribution to tech", Bath Digital, 10 March 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
  15. ^ McAthy, R. "Digital science mag Guru receives mobile app funding", Journalism.co.uk, 28 September 2012. Retrieved 27 November 2012.
  16. ^ Curry, S. "Science: now available in easy-to-swallow tablet form", Guardian.co.uk, 28 March 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2013.

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