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Jennifer Ackerman
Jennifer Ackerman
Jennifer Ackerman
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Jennifer Ackerman (born 1959) is an American author known for her ornithology books, including the bestselling book The Genius of Birds.[1]

Key Information

In that book, Ackerman posits that, contrary to popular metaphors such as "bird brained," birds are actually quite intelligent and think in complex ways.[2] Called a "peppy survey of the science of bird intelligence" by The Guardian, the book was a New York Times best seller in 2017.[3] She followed up on this idea in her 2020 book The Bird Way combining personal observations and a literature review of the latest in bird research to discuss various aspects of bird life.[4][5] She was the narrator for the audiobook version of both books.[6]

Ackerman is the author of eight books which have been published in more than 20 languages.[7] In addition to her published books, she is also a contributing writer to Scientific American, National Geographic, and The New York Times. She worked for National Geographic for nine years, editing their well-known book The Curious Naturalist.[8] She left that job to write freelance and spent time in Lewes, Delaware, researching the coastal area and writing her book Notes From the Shore which was reissued as Birds By the Shore in 2019.[9]

Her earlier books focus on health topics, from the Strong Women's Guide to Total Health which she wrote with Miriam Nelson, to her book Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream which uses the framework of a single day to discuss a wide variety of things going on in the human body at various times.[10]

Awards and fellowships

[edit]
  • Established Artist Fellowship from the Delaware Arts Council (1995)
  • Fellowships: Bunting Institute of Radcliffe Institute (1997-1998)
  • Alfred P. Sloan Foundation grant (1998)
  • Fellowship: Brown College at the University of Virginia (2001)
  • National Endowment for the Arts Literature Fellowship in Nonfiction (2004)
  • Silver Medal Award for Nature Writing from the International Regional Magazine Association (2005)
  • Fellowship: Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service at Tufts University (2007-2010)
  • Whitley Award for Behavioural Zoology (2021)[11][12]
  • National Outdoor Book Award (2023) in "Outdoor Literature" for What an Owl Knows

Early life and education

[edit]

Ackerman was born in 1959 to economist William Gorham and Kathryn Joan (Aring) Morton in Omaha, Nebraska. She used to go birding with her father along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.[13] She attended Yale and graduated cum laude with a B.A. in 1980.[14] She moved to Lewes, Delaware in 1989 for three years, and then to Charlottesville, Virginia in 1992.[14][7] She was married to late novelist Karl Ackerman in 1980, and they have two daughters.[15][16]

Bibliography

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Jennifer Ackerman

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from Grokipedia
Jennifer Ackerman is an American science writer and author renowned for her accessible explorations of , particularly avian and , through bestselling books that blend rigorous scientific research with engaging narrative storytelling. Educated at , where she earned a in English cum laude in 1980, Ackerman began her career as a staff writer for the from 1982 to 1989, contributing articles on science and nature to outlets such as and . She later served on the editorial board of the Press from 1998 to 2002 and judged the Phillip D. Reed Memorial Prize for Environmental Writing from 1996 to 2001. Over her three-decade career, Ackerman has focused on interpreting complex scientific concepts for general audiences, earning fellowships including a 2024 , a 2004 fellowship, a 1997–1998 (now Radcliffe Institute) fellowship, and a grant from the . Her 2024 supports her forthcoming book on the revolutionary new science of female birdsong, to be published by Penguin Press in 2027. Ackerman's bibliography includes seven books, with her most acclaimed works centering on and . Her breakthrough in bird studies came with The Genius of Birds (2016), which examines avian and was named the best book of 2016 by , NPR's Science Friday best science book, and Nature Book of the Year. This was followed by The Bird Way: A New Look at How Birds Talk, Work, Play, Parent, and Think (2020), a finalist for the PEN/ Literary Science Writing Award, and her latest, What an Owl Knows: The New Science of the World’s Most Enigmatic Birds (2023), selected as a best book of 2023 by , , (UK), and NPR’s Science Friday. Earlier titles include Chance in the House of Fate: A Natural History of (2001), Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream: A Day in the Life of Your Body (2007), Ah-Choo!: The Uncommon Life of Your (2010), and Birds by the Shore: Observing the Natural Life of the Atlantic Coast (originally published 1995, reissued 2019). Ackerman also narrates her own audiobooks and delivers lectures worldwide on topics in science and conservation.

Early life and education

Early life

Jennifer Ackerman was born in 1959. She grew up in Washington, D.C., as one of five sisters in a bustling household. Her father, economist William "Bill" Gorham, fostered her early fascination with nature by introducing her to birdwatching around age seven or eight. Despite his demanding career and responsibilities as a father to five daughters, Gorham made time for these outings, often setting out before sunrise along the C&O Canal or the Potomac River to observe birds in their natural habitat. These childhood expeditions, where she learned to identify and appreciate avian behaviors, ignited her enduring passion for birds and the natural world, profoundly shaping her future as a and writer. This foundation in observational wonder transitioned into her academic pursuits at .

Education

Ackerman attended in , where she majored in English and focused on . She earned a degree in 1980, graduating cum laude. Her undergraduate studies emphasized narrative techniques and analytical reading, though specific coursework or professors are not detailed in available records. Ackerman has reflected that her early passion for writing poetry and stories as a child carried into her college years as an English major, laying the groundwork for her professional pursuits. The skills developed through her English degree profoundly shaped her ability to interpret and communicate scientific topics to general audiences, blending rigorous analysis with accessible —a hallmark of her career in science and authorship. This foundation enabled her to translate complex ideas from fields like and into engaging narratives, as seen in her later works on avian intelligence and .

Career

Early career

In 1982, Ackerman joined the as a and researcher in its Book Division, a role she held for seven years until 1989. During this period, she contributed research and writing to major publications, including , a comprehensive book on the published in 1986 and revised in 1992. Ackerman also took on editorial responsibilities, serving as for The Curious Naturalist in 1991, a collection of essays exploring North American ecosystems and . This early work at established her expertise in science writing and editing, focusing on accessible explanations of complex natural phenomena.

Journalism and editing

After leaving her staff position at the in 1989, Jennifer Ackerman transitioned to freelance writing, relocating to the coastal town of , where she lived from 1989 to 1992. This period allowed her to focus on independent journalism while immersing herself in natural environments that informed her reporting on and . Ackerman's freelance articles appeared in prominent outlets such as , , and , covering topics in science, nature, and health. In , she addressed environmental concerns, including a 2010 piece on plastic pollution titled "Plastic Surf," which highlighted the ecological threats posed by . For , where she continued contributing as a after her editorial tenure, Ackerman explored and evolutionary adaptations in "The Downside of Upright" (July 2006), examining the health consequences of , such as and issues. Her work in often delved into health and biology, as seen in "How Not to Fight Colds" (October 5, 2010), which critiqued common remedies and emphasized evidence-based prevention strategies. She later served on the editorial board of the University of Virginia Press from 1998 to 2002 and judged the Phillip D. Reed Memorial Prize for Environmental Writing from 1996 to 2001. These articles solidified Ackerman's reputation as a skilled science communicator, blending rigorous with accessible to illuminate complex topics for general audiences. Several of her pieces were anthologized in collections like The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2005, underscoring their influence in bridging scientific inquiry with public understanding of environmental and biological issues.

Book authorship

Jennifer Ackerman's book authorship spans natural history and human physiology, beginning with earlier works such as Birds by the Shore: Observing the Natural Life of the Atlantic Coast (1995) and Chance in the House of Fate: A of (2001). In the mid-2000s, she focused on topics, including Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream: of Your Body (2007), which examines the body's rhythms from waking to sleep, and co-authored titles like The Strong Women's Guide to Total (2010) with , alongside her solo work Ah-Choo!: The Uncommon Life of Your (2010), a detailed investigation into the science of colds and immunity. These works marked her development in long-form , drawing on her freelance articles to synthesize complex research into accessible narratives. Ackerman's authorship evolved toward themes of nature and , particularly birds, with a trilogy of influential titles: The Genius of Birds (2016), a New York Times bestseller that challenges stereotypes of avian ; The Bird Way (2020), which highlights diverse bird behaviors and adaptations; and What an Owl Knows: The New Science of the World's Most Enigmatic Birds (2023), another New York Times bestseller exploring and . Her writing process typically spans two to four years per book, involving extensive reading of scientific literature, interviews with leading researchers, and immersive fieldwork at sites worldwide, such as observing owls in or collaborating with ornithologists in . This methodical approach builds directly on her , where she honed skills in distilling peer-reviewed studies and fieldwork observations into engaging stories, often starting with pieces that later expand into book chapters. Ackerman's books have been published in over 20 languages worldwide, amplifying their reach and contributing significantly to public appreciation of animal intelligence, especially the sophisticated cognitive and social lives of birds. By blending rigorous with vivid , her works foster greater awareness of and conservation needs, as evidenced by their acclaim in outlets like and .

Personal life

Marriage and family

Jennifer Ackerman married Karl Ackerman in 1980. The couple had two daughters, Zoe Claire (born circa 1992) and Elinor Kathryn, known as "Nelle" (born circa 1995). Ackerman's family experiences have shaped aspects of her writing, particularly in exploring themes of and through personal observation. In her 2001 book Chance in the House of Fate: A Natural History of Heredity, she weaves in intimate accounts of her daughters' births and her sister's to illuminate the complexities of genetic . Her husband's cancer diagnosis in 2013 further influenced her return to , prompting a deeper focus on birds as a source of solace and inspiration during family challenges. Karl Ackerman passed away on October 24, 2016, at age 61, after a prolonged battle with cancer; the couple had been married for 36 years. Ackerman raised her daughters amid her career as a freelance , integrating family life with her professional pursuits centered on and .

Residences

After graduating from in 1980, Jennifer Ackerman established her early post-college residence in Washington, D.C., where she worked as a and researcher for the Society's Book Division from 1982 to 1989. This period in the nation's capital provided her with immersion in scientific and exploratory resources that informed her foundational work in science journalism. In 1989, Ackerman relocated to the coastal town of Lewes, Delaware, where she resided for three years until 1992. The blue-water, white-sand landscape of Lewes, drawing seasonal visitors from nearby cities, profoundly shaped her nature writing during this time, as evidenced by her book Birds by the Shore (2019), which draws directly from observations of shorebirds, seabirds, and the dynamic coastal ecosystem she experienced daily. The environment's rhythms—storms, tides, and wildlife resilience—mirrored personal reflections on life changes, fostering a deeper exploration of human connections to the natural world in her prose. Ackerman moved to , in 1992, and has lived there continuously since. The region's proximity to diverse natural settings, including the and surrounding woodlands, has supported her ongoing research into avian behavior and ecology, enabling fieldwork that enriches books like The Genius of Birds (2016) and What an Owl Knows (2023). As a longtime Charlottesville resident and naturalist, she frequently draws on the area's rich for inspiration in interpreting scientific discoveries for general audiences.

Awards and honors

Fellowships

In 1995, Jennifer Ackerman received the Established Artist Fellowship from the Delaware Arts Council, a grant awarded to recognize artistic excellence in literary arts and support the creation of new work. This fellowship specifically aided her in developing her book Notes from the Shore, a collection of essays on coastal and personal reflection, enabling dedicated time for observation and writing during her early career as a author. Ackerman was awarded a Literature Fellowship in in , providing $25,000 to published writers to advance projects in and foster literary innovation. The grant supported her research and composition of Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream: A Day in the Life of Your Body, a 2007 exploration of human physiology, allowing independent investigation into scientific topics without financial constraints. In 1997–1998, Ackerman held a fellowship from the Bunting Institute of Radcliffe College (now the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University), which supported her work on scientific and literary projects, including early research for her book Chance in the House of Fate: A Natural History of Heredity (2001). Ackerman received a grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation around 1998, which funded investigative work on genetics and heredity, contributing to the development of Chance in the House of Fate. In 2024, Ackerman was awarded a in Science Writing by the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, recognizing her contributions to and supporting ongoing projects in . These fellowships played a crucial role in Ackerman's trajectory, offering financial freedom to conduct fieldwork and synthesize complex scientific concepts into accessible narratives, which bolstered her publications in science journalism.

Literary awards

Ackerman's book The Bird Way: A New Look at How Birds Talk, Work, Play, Parent, and Think (2020) received the 2021 Whitley Award for Behavioural Zoology, presented by the Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales for its insightful exploration of avian behavior and . It was also a finalist for the 2021 PEN/ Literary Science Writing Award. Her 2023 publication What an Owl Knows: The New Science of the World's Most Enigmatic Birds earned the National Outdoor Book Award in the Outdoor Literature category, recognizing its engaging synthesis of owl biology, ecology, and human interactions with these nocturnal predators. It was selected as a best book of 2023 by , , (UK), and ’s Science Friday, and received the 2024 Gold Nautilus Book Award in the Animals & Nature category. The Genius of Birds (2016), which examines avian intelligence through global scientific research, was a finalist for the 2017 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Communication Award and long-listed for the PEN/ Literary Science Writing Award, highlighting its accessible yet rigorous contribution to public understanding of . It was named the best nonfiction book of 2016 by , NPR's Science Friday best science book, and Nature Book of the Year. These literary honors have elevated Ackerman's profile as a leading science communicator, fostering greater public interest in her work on animal behavior and correlating with the commercial success of her titles, including multiple appearances on the New York Times bestseller list.

Bibliography

Books

Ackerman's early works focused on human health and biology. Her book Chance in the House of Fate: A Natural History of Heredity, published by Houghton Mifflin in 2001, offers a personal exploration of genetic inheritance, weaving scientific insights on heredity with anecdotes from her family life, including her sister's condition and her daughters' births. It was selected as a Library Journal Best Book of 2001 and praised for its poetic and ambitious approach in The New York Times and Science. Her book Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream: A Day in the Life of Your Body, published by Houghton Mifflin in 2007, examines the body's circadian rhythms and physiological processes over a 24-hour period, covering topics from waking and eating to , , and dreaming. Drawing on scientific studies, it highlights how internal clocks influence , levels, and cognitive functions. The book was praised for its lively prose and ability to make complex accessible, earning positive reviews in outlets like and . In 2010, Ackerman co-authored The Strong Women's Guide to Total Health with , published by Rodale Books. This interactive guide addresses women's holistic well-being, including , exercise, , bone health, and weight control, with self-assessments and practical advice tailored to life stages. It emphasizes evidence-based strategies for preventing chronic conditions like and heart disease. The work was noted for its comprehensive, empowering approach in reviews such as those from the . That same year, she released Ah-Choo!: The Uncommon Life of Your , published by Twelve (an imprint of ) on September 2, 2010. The book investigates the science behind rhinoviruses and the cold's symptoms, transmission, and , debunking myths about remedies like and while discussing prevention and evolution of these pathogens. It was commended for its humorous yet informative tone and thorough research, with favorable assessments in and New City Lit. Shifting to nature and , The Genius of Birds, published by Penguin Press in 2016, challenges the notion of "bird brains" by exploring avian intelligence through , tool use, , and social behaviors. It profiles on like corvids and parrots, revealing parallels to smarts. A New York Times bestseller in both and paperback, the book garnered acclaim for its celebratory and scientifically rigorous narrative. Birds by the Shore: Observing the Natural Life of the Atlantic Coast (a 2019 reissue by of her 1995 debut Notes from the Shore, Dial Press), blends personal essays with observations of coastal ecosystems, focusing on shorebirds, tides, and human-nature interactions along Delaware's shores. It captures the rhythms of migration and . Reviewers highlighted its immersive, poetic style and restorative insights into avian and . The Bird Way: A New Look at How Birds Talk, Work, Play, Parent, and Think, released by Penguin Press in 2020, surveys diverse avian behaviors across , from communication and to and play, informed by global fieldwork and neurobiology. It emphasizes birds' adaptability and . The book received starred reviews for its engaging anecdotes and expansion on bird cognition, as noted in . Ackerman's most recent book, What an Owl Knows: The New Science of the World's Most Enigmatic Birds, published by Penguin Press in 2023, delves into biology, sensory adaptations, strategies, and social bonds, alongside their cultural symbolism. It incorporates recent studies on nocturnal vision and vocalizations. Praised as charming and deeply researched, it was lauded in and for unveiling owl mysteries.

Selected articles

Jennifer Ackerman has contributed numerous articles to prominent publications, showcasing her expertise in science journalism across topics like animal behavior, human health, and environmental science. Her pieces often blend rigorous reporting with engaging narratives, frequently exploring themes that later informed her books, such as the intricacies of biological systems and the interplay between humans and nature. In National Geographic, Ackerman's post-editorial role articles highlight her focus on evolutionary biology and natural rejuvenation. For instance, her July 2006 feature "The Downside of Upright" examines the evolutionary trade-offs of human bipedalism, detailing physical vulnerabilities like back pain and childbirth complications as consequences of upright posture, drawing on anthropological and anatomical research. Similarly, "Urban Downtime" from October 2006 explores how exposure to natural environments restores human sensory and cognitive functions, linking urban green spaces to evolutionary adaptations for wilderness survival. Another example, the April 2006 article "Dragonflies: Strange Love," delves into the aerial mating rituals and predatory prowess of dragonflies, illustrating complex insect behaviors through fieldwork observations. Ackerman's contributions to emphasize microbial ecology and environmental impacts. Her August 2010 piece "Plastic Surf: The Unhealthful Afterlife of Toys and Packaging" investigates how from consumer waste persist in oceans, harming marine ecosystems and potentially entering human food chains via studies. In December 2015, "U.S. Recruits Gut Microbes to Fight and Disease" reports on military-funded research E. coli bacteria to regulate warfighter metabolism and combat conditions like , based on engineering trials. These articles prefigure her explorations of gut microbiomes in longer works. For The New York Times, Ackerman has penned op-eds and features on health myths and avian intelligence. Her October 5, 2010, op-ed "How Not to Fight Colds" debunks common remedies like megadoses, arguing that excessive immune stimulation can prolong symptoms, supported by clinical trials on viral responses. More recently, the June 7, 2023, essay "What Owls' Silent Flight Tells Us About the World" analyzes the aerodynamic adaptations enabling ' noiseless hunting, connecting this to broader insights on nocturnal and conservation challenges. Additionally, her May 29, 2020, piece "What Birds Do for Us and What We Can Do for Them" discusses birds' roles in ecosystems and human well-being, urging protective measures amid pandemics, informed by ornithological data.

References

  1. https://www.jenniferackermanauthor.com/about-1
  2. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/236275/jennifer-ackerman/
  3. https://www.macdowell.org/artists/jennifer-ackerman
  4. https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/educational-magazines/ackerman-jennifer-g-1959
  5. https://www.rappnews.com/foothills_forum/jennifer-ackerman-the-writer-who-follows-the-birds/article_7bc5b764-b51f-11ef-935f-b712221efd2a.html
  6. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/poured-over-jennifer-ackerman-on-what-an-owl-knows/
  7. https://virginialiving.com/outdoors/jennifer-ackerman-interview/
  8. https://jenniferackerman.net/biography/
  9. https://jenniferackerman.net/jennifer-ackerman-cv/
  10. https://www.scientificamerican.com/author/jennifer-ackerman/
  11. http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2006/07/bipedal-body/ackerman-text
  12. https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/05/opinion/05ackerman.html
  13. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/312321/the-genius-of-birds-by-jennifer-ackerman/
  14. https://www.jenniferackermanauthor.com/genius-ofbirds
  15. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/550915/the-bird-way-by-jennifer-ackerman/
  16. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/316717/what-an-owl-knows-by-jennifer-ackerman/
  17. https://www.bookpage.com/interviews/jennifer-ackerman-interview-what-an-owl-knows/
  18. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/dailyprogress/name/karl-ackerman-obituary?id=10450994
  19. https://www.harpercollins.com/products/chance-in-the-house-of-fate-jennifer-ackerman
  20. https://www.jenniferackermanauthor.com/birds-by-the-shore
  21. https://mybobolink.org/pgm-leaders/2453
  22. https://virginialiving.com/culture/talk-with-author-jennifer-ackerman/
  23. https://arts.delaware.gov/artist-fellowships/
  24. https://www.arts.gov/grants/creative-writing-fellowships
  25. https://www.arts.gov/sites/default/files/NEA_lit.pdf
  26. https://www.gf.org/fellows/jennifer-ackerman/
  27. https://jenniferackermanauthor.com/about-1
  28. https://www.rzsnsw.org.au/page-18102
  29. https://www.jenniferackermanauthor.com/the-bird-way
  30. https://www.noba-web.org/books23.htm
  31. https://www.jenniferackermanauthor.com/what-an-owl-knows
  32. https://delawarelibraries.libcal.com/event/13132051
  33. https://www.jenniferackermanauthor.com/chance-in-the-house-of-fate-a-natural-history-of-heredity
  34. https://www.nytimes.com/2001/04/17/science/books-a-world-without-borders.html
  35. https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/16/books/review/Dunn2-t.html
  36. https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/jennifer-ackerman/sex-sleep-eat-drink-dream/
  37. https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/booster-shots/story/2010-04-10/book-review-the-strong-womens-guide-to-total-health-by-miriam-e-nelson-and-jennifer-ackerman
  38. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/593777/the-strong-womens-guide-to-total-health-by-miriam-nelson-phd-and-jennifer-ackerman/
  39. https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-446-54115-2
  40. https://lit.newcity.com/2010/12/20/nonfiction-review-ah-choo-the-uncommon-life-of-your-common-cold-by-jennifer-ackerman/
  41. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/01/books/review/are-we-smart-enough-to-know-how-smart-animals-are-and-the-genius-of-birds.html
  42. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/603876/birds-by-the-shore-by-jennifer-ackerman/
  43. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42482183-birds-by-the-shore
  44. https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/jennifer-ackerman/the-bird-way/
  45. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/673192/what-an-owl-knows-by-jennifer-ackerman/
  46. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/14/books/review/what-an-owl-knows-jennifer-ackerman.html
  47. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/jun/29/what-an-owl-knows-by-jennifer-ackerman-review
  48. https://www.jenniferackermanauthor.com/articles-1
  49. https://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2006/07/bipedal-body/ackerman-text
  50. http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2006/10/paris-parks/ackerman-text
  51. http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2006/04/dragonfly-mating/ackerman-text.html
  52. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/plastic-surf/
  53. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/u-s-navy-recruits-gut-microbes-to-fight-obesity-and-disease/
  54. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/07/opinion/owl-flaco-flight.html
  55. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/29/opinion/sunday/coronavirus-lockdowns-birds-nature.html
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