Anna Funk

Let’s get the word out.

Registration is now open for the fall cohort of my course, Strategic Communication for Participatory Science Practitioners!

I started as a field ecologist studying prairie restoration, earned my Ph.D. in plant ecology, then shifted to science journalism and marketing. Along the way, I discovered what I really love: helping organizations working in science, nature, and conservation build the communications capacity they need to thrive.

Anna Funk out in a fen during a field survey.

Since 2021, I’ve worked at the intersection of science, storytelling, and strategy — helping organizations not just communicate better, but build the systems and frameworks that make good communication sustainable.

I’ve served as Board President of a startup native plant nonprofit, building their organizational infrastructure from the ground up. I’ve been embedded with Holden Forests & Gardens for years as their science communications specialist. And whether I’m writing science features for university magazines, editing podcast scripts, or helping a solo environmental educator refresh their brand, I focus on clarity, strategy, and making complex ideas accessible.

From strategic planning to hands-on execution, from building organizations to telling their stories, I help mission-driven teams do more than get the word out — I help them build the capacity to do it well.

Here’s what people are saying about Ampliflora.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Anna is an amazing editor who has helped me clearly map out my podcast project. Her regular feedback keeps me from wandering down too many side paths, while also providing clear line edits to help punch up my scripts. Working with her is always a joy!

— Sadie Witkowski, PhD, Creator/Host, In Defense of Fandom

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Anna is an incredible creative talent with an ability to adapt her voice and tone to any project. As a trained scientist, she is thorough and meticulous with her research but is also very approachable and receptive of feedback. She can take complex concepts and make them approachable. Anna is organized, easy to work with, and completes assignments with efficiency and enthusiasm. Highly recommend!

— Elizabeth Ruzzo, PhD, CEO, adyn

Rating: 5 out of 5.

As a scientist, I’ve been impressed by Anna’s ability to transform complex scientific concepts into engaging and accessible content. Her passion for both writing and science communication has enhanced our ability to connect the public with our science at Holden.

— Katie Stuble, PhD, Research Chair, Holden Forests & Gardens

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Just wanted to send a quick note and let you know how great it’s been working with you on promoting all of our science content. The results of our work together have been impactful, and we are reaching a much larger audience than ever before. Thanks so much for all your help. Looking forward to even more success in the future.

— David Burke, PhD, Vice President for Science and Conservation, Holden Forests & Gardens

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Anna is a true writing-and-editing triple threat: She is an accomplished researcher with a firm grasp of complex and technical topics; an engaging interviewer who helps people open up in enlightening ways; and a savvy storyteller, keeping readers delighted while helping them understand key and strategic messages about institutions like ours. It’s rare to find these attributes in one person, and that’s a big reason why working with Anna is such a joy.

— Steve Filmanowicz, Director of Editorial Projects, Marquette University

Blog archives

Discover Ampliflora’s insights on connecting people with nature, crafting powerful science stories, and building effective mission-driven communications:

  • How to Do Social Media if You Don’t Like Doing Social Media

    Once upon a time, a new invention changed the way we connect with our communities. It was called social media, and all you had to do was follow who you wanted to follow, and your feed would show you their posts in chronological order. You could scroll until you got to the end. And everyone… Read more →

  • How to Juggle Your Budding Career AND Your Unfinished Dissertation

    This post originally appeared on itsdrfunk.com/blog in September 2020.  You’re a graduate student. You’ve decided you don’t want to stay in academic research, and instead have your eye on a career in something like science writing, policy, or outreach. You want to build your resume and/or portfolio with experiences in said new field, but that… Read more →

  • What I Had on my (Successful) AAAS Mass Media Fellowship Application

    This post is a couple of years old and originally appeared on itsdrfunk.com; re-publishing here! Please note that my AAAS MMF was in 2018, your experience in 2025 and beyond may differ slightly or significantly. Hi hello how are you! Here’s a question I get asked ALL the time: What experiences did you have during… Read more →

Ready to strengthen your communications?

Whether you’re looking for strategic leadership, launch support, or expert science writing, let’s talk about what you need and how I can help.