ASC2020 - 16-19 Feb, Melbourne

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Developing a community of science communicators for early career scientists

Awareness of the importance of science communication is growing amongst PhD candidates and post-doctoral researchers in Australia and around the world.(1,2) However, training or opportunities for participation in science communication for this group of scientists are largely centred around the “3 Minute Thesis” or “Famelab” format. Both of these competitions have had a positive impact on science communication literacy in Australia, but some students are discouraged by the competitive nature of these events, or would prefer to communicate science in different ways. We aim to create a sci comm community of practice amongst students and postdocs at the University of Sydney that is also open to early career researchers across other institutions. The group will meet informally to discuss their research, learn from the science communication literature and develop the ability to communicate their science clearly to different audiences. This poster outlines some draft resources developed for postgraduate students who are seeking science communication opportunities. We request constructive criticism and advice from the delegates to help us improve our resources, strengthen our community of practice and amplify opportunities for collaboration with other institutions and sci comm practitioners.

References

1. Mercer-Mapstone, L. D., Matthews, K. E., (2017) Student perceptions of communication skills in undergraduate science at an Australian research-intensive university, Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 42:1, 98-114, DOI: 10.1080/02602938.2015.1084492

2. Edmondston, J. E., Dawson, V., Schibeci, R., (2010) Undergraduate Biotechnology Students’ Views of Science Communication, International Journal of Science Education, 32:18, 2451-2474, DOI: 10.1080/09500690903514598

What will participants gain from attending your presentation?
This presentation aims to promote discussion and seek the expertise of delegates to help to develop group of early career science communicators at The University of Sydney and our broader community. Attendees of the session will be asked to reflect upon their own experiences as science communicators and give constructive criticism and advice to advance our approach and increase opportunities for collaboration

Producer

Nisharnthi Duggan, PhD Candidate, The University of Sydney

When: In sessionWednesday 19th February, 1:50pm-2:35pm
Where: Room G02, Learning and Teaching Building, 19 Ancora Imparo Way, Clayton
Hashtag: TBC

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Bringing out the humanity in science

Peer-reviewed articles, publications and citations are the currency of the scientific realm. While they are a professional necessity for the scientific community, jargon and technicalities don’t get you far when trying to engage the general public – that is, getting the average person to ‘get’ science, much less care about it.

In order to unlock that magical moment where scientific possibility truly resonates with people, we need to connect the precision of science with the flawed human world in which it exists.

This session is a to-the-point, earnest look at the importance of showing the human side of science, and the benefits of bringing creativity and compassion in to a world that prizes rule and order.

Examples will include the multi-million-dollar informal settlement upgrading research program, RISE. RISE is working to improve the lives of more than 7,000 informal settlement residents in Fiji and Indonesia, by strengthening access to essential water and sanitation services. We will explore the humanity behind this research trial that operates in a world of UN agencies, scientists and researchers, ministries of foreign affairs, international non-profits, and informal settlement communities.

How will your session be structured?
20-minute presentation with 10 minutes for questions.

What type of session will this be?
Practice insights: speakers describe, demonstrate and/or evaluate specific science communication practices.

What will participants gain from attending your session?
With so many intelligent minds in the room, this presentation is not aimed at being earth shattering or offer solutions people haven’t heard before. It’s meant to spark creative, empathetic thinking, start discussions among colleagues and friends, and inspire people in their own work. RISE as a case study is quite unique and will spark interest.

Presenter

Candice Lever, RISE Communications Officer, Monash Sustainable Development Institute

When: TBC
Where: TBC
Hashtag: TBC

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International science communication: a lively and animated discussion on how she emerged in 39 countries

So there’s a book, with chapters from Iran, Pakistan, Jamaica, Estonia, Russia, and all the usual suspects. It charts the different pathways these countries followed and it’s launched in May in Aberdeen.

In this sneak preview, the editor talks it over with two authors and a member of the Editorial Board.

How did Russia hold the Guinness record for the highest circulating periodical? What derailed the polio campaign in northern Nigeria? What does mātauranga mean and why is it important in Aotearoa? What were the fifteen questions and is this a flawed concept?

Why do the Americans describe their experience as ‘vibrant, jostling and complicated’? How does fascism and colonialism influence the story? And what about Lake Como and Aberdeen?

Jenni Metcalfe is ringmaster, and it will take all her skill to control panellists Joan Leach, Michelle Riedlinger and Toss Gascoigne, PLUS handle audience participation.

What type of session will this be?
Multi-dimensional chaotic discussion on big world-leading international project

What will participants gain from attending your session?
Ideas, mostly, for both practice and research. A cornucopia of ideas.

Australia has played tough, done good in science communication; and now we’re helping the world tell its story.

(After all, “those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”)

Session Producer, Performer

Toss Gascoigne, Visiting Fellow, CPAS, ANU

Session Chair

Jenni Metcalfe, Director, Econnect Communication

Session Chair, Performer

Michelle Riedlinger, Associate Professor, University of the Fraser Valley, Canada

Performer

Joan Leach, Director, CPAS, ANU

When: TBC
Where: TBC
Hashtag: TBC

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Coastal Science Communication

This session brings together the expertise and case study examples of two coastal science communicators.

The session will begin with an introduction that will canvass a wide range of coastal science communication needs. Issues covered will include sea level rise, marine debris, over fishing and tourism. Innovative communication solutions will then be presented.

This will then be followed by two coastal science communication case studies. The first will examine the role that science communication can play in helping communities in the Pacific deal with the impacts of sea level rise. The second will explore how different tools were used to evoke emotion and communicate the recreational, place and social values of the Tweed and Southern Gold Coast.

Following the presentations there will be the opportunity for questions and further discussion.

 

Session structure

Session Producers, Presenters, Session Chairs

Catherine Kerr, Coastal Management Specialist, NSW Dept of Planning Industry and Environment

Michael Helman, Director, Communicatrium, Communicatrium

 

When: Tuesday 18th February, 2:00pm-3:30pm
Where: Room G21, Learning and Teaching Building, 19 Ancora Imparo Way, Clayton
Hashtag: TBC

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Animation strategy for next level science communication

It’s popular to talk about having a good content strategy for communication. But it’s a waste of time unless you have a clear outcome strategy.

In this session Adrian will unpack strategic insights and understandings from the world of digital marketing and explore how we can translate them into practical ideas for Science Communication.

– Outcome strategy vs content strategy.
– High level strategic overview of how to plan science communication animation & other social digital content to maximise outcomes.
– Digital marketing techniques for science communicators.
– Marketing funnels and how they translate to science communication.
– The Science Communication Pyramid framework (inverted funnel)

 

How will your session be structured?
15-20 mins presentation
10-15 mins Q&A

 

What type of session will this be?
Practice insights: speakers describe, demonstrate and/or evaluate specific science communication practices.

 

What will participants gain from attending your session?
– Understanding why many science communicators focus on Content Strategy, when they should be focusing on Outcome Strategy, and how to know when to do each.
– High level strategic overview of how to plan science communication animation & other social digital content to maximise outcomes
– Insights into the latest digital marketing techniques and how to make them work in science communication
– The Science Communication Pyramid framework (inverted funnel)

 

Session Producer, Presenter

Adrian King, Executive Producer, Redboat

 

When: Monday 17th February, 12:00pm-1:00pm

Where: Room G03, Learning and Teaching Building, 19 Ancora Imparo Way, Clayton

Hashtag: TBC

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Using social video to amplify science communication (and have fun doing it)

Consumption of social video is accelerating at an monumental rate. Much of the public would rather watch a short video than read a page of text. Creating videos is often seen as a costly, time-consuming practice. Not any more.

Your voice is powerful. Your voice is needed. It’s time.

In this hands on workshop you will hear the latest social video trends and strategies, get exclusive access to the latest cutting edge mobile video tool (Brivvio), and make at least one video each (possibly more) ready to publish.

Topics and practices covered in this workshop:

– Latest trends in online video.
– The new wave of social video – authentic, rebellious and personal.
– Structuring short video presentations for impact and engagement.
– How to target your audience and trend on hashtags.
– Video presentation tricks & confidence building (unlearning).
– Creating and publishing short social videos with zero production.
– Science journalism (how to lead the news-cycle with branded videos)
– Hands on practical – resulting in actual videos ready to share by the end of the workshop.
– Free use of the Brivvio app + prize for best Brivvio video at the ASC 2020 conference

 

Recommended to have ready for the workshop:

1. An iPhone (essential, but I will have 2 spares available for practice)
2. Your logo as a PNG image file (preferably with transparency)
3. The hex codes of your brand (not essential)
4. A couple of ideas for short 1-2 minute (not essential)

 

Contact

If you need help preparing any of the above three things for this workshop, email Adrian at: adrian@brivvio.com

 

How will your session be structured?
15 minute presentation
15 minute group exercise
45 minutes practical hands on
15 minutes debrief & group learning recap

 

What type of session will this be?
Workshop: allowing participants to actively engage in exploring a project or concept in science communication., Demonstrations: presenting innovative science communication practices with a commentary on their application and effectiveness.

 

What will participants gain from attending your session?
– 3x new narrative structures for short social videos (plus the framework behind them).
– Free mobile app to create and publish branded videos instantly with zero post-production.
– By the end of the workshop they will have created and posted (optionally) at least one short social video
– Skills development presenting and/or directing short social videos

 

Session Producer, Workshop facilitator

Adrian King, Founder, Brivvio

 

When:

  • Part 1 Tuesday 18th February, 9:45am – 10:45am
  • Part 2 Tuesday 18th February, 11:15am-12:15pm

Where: Room G03, Learning and Teaching Building, 19 Ancora Imparo Way, Clayton

Hashtag: TBC

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How to prepare a killer animation brief for science communication in less time

Don’t waste time wondering whether your animation brief is adequate to get accurate and comparable quotations and responses from animation companies.

Follow the simple steps shown to you in this workshop and you’ll know exactly what you need to include, and why it’s important. And you’ll be able to do it in half the time!

– How to fast-track preparing a comprehensive animation brief.
– Handouts: 15 point checklist.
– Hands on practical – have a completed animation brief by the end of the workshop.
– Practice scenarios will be provided for those who do not have a subject to work with.

 

What will participants gain from attending your session?
– Skills development in preparing to create an science communication animation
– Understanding of the briefing requirements from both service provider and stakeholder sides
– Hands on experience developing a a science communication animation brief
– Learn from hearing the challenges of other workshop participants
– Handout: 15 point animation checklist for science communication

Session Producer, Workshop facilitator

Adrian King, Executive Producer, Redboat

 

When: Wednesday 19th February, 9:30am-10:30am

Where: Room G21, Learning and Teaching Building, 19 Ancora Imparo Way, Clayton

Hashtag: TBC

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“Trust me – I’m from the government”

As soon as we say it, we know immediately that this statement will never work. So what does work? There is some good research about trust and risk communication but many people working in government don’t know about it. They end up relying on a mix of common sense and intuition rather than principles based on solid evidence – which can backfire badly because misunderstanding how trust works leads to some terrible traps.

This presentation distils what I have learned about trust from reading some of the research and through lots of experience working on topics like genetically modified food and immunisation. There are some important lessons about trust and I want to share some simple tips. The most important lesson is to accept that trust has both emotional and rational components, that responding to both is essential, and that the emotional component dominates the rational. The second lesson is that you cannot ask for trust, you have to earn it and someone else has to give it – hence the title of this presentation. The third lesson is that you have to trust the public – trust goes both ways.

Earning trust requires five behaviours: honesty, doing the right things, doing them well, treating people fairly, and keeping promises. Good communication is essential but not sufficient by itself. And building trust requires understanding and trusting the public, including letting stakeholders set the agenda and share decisions.

What will participants gain from attending your presentation?

Some tips and traps about building trust and good risk communication.

Presenter

David Wansbrough, Bureaucrat, Government

 

When: Tuesday 18th February, 11:15am-12:15pm

Where: Room G01, Learning and Teaching Building, 19 Ancora Imparo Way, Clayton

Hashtag: TBC

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Questions? Please contact Kali on asc2020@asc.asn.au.

Acknowledgements

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