ASC2020 - 16-19 Feb, Melbourne

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How to Write Concisely

When: Thursday 15th November, 8:00am – 12:45pm (including lunch)
Where: Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris St, Ultimo
Room: Board Room and Theatrette

Purchase separately or free for conference+workshop delegates (RSVP during registration).

Register now!

For science to be understood, assimilated and further developed, it needs to be accessible through clear and concise writing. The half-day How to Write Concisely workshop shows you how to remove clutter, repetition and excess detail from your writing without sacrificing your message. The workshop includes practical exercises that allow you to work on your own project(s).
Learn how to
– Edit and critique writing to improve clarity and meaning
– Decide what detail is necessary to express an idea or topic
– Identify and fix writing that is ambiguous, unclear, repetitive and long-winded

Workshop presenter

Dr Marina Hurley, Lecturer & Consultant, Writing Clear Science

More about this workshop (PDF)

Purchase separately or free for conference+workshop delegates (RSVP during registration).

Register now!

**This is a public event. Register to save your seat!**

Share on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/164514621148245/

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Designing methodologies with impact

When: Wednesday 14th November, 2:40pm – 3:40pm

Different approaches and processes can be implemented as part of a research project – but the best approach is the one that will get you the most accurate assessment! This workshop will address best practice approaches to designing research programs that combine scientific rigour with practical efficiency. We will look at the philosophy underpinning different approaches and how and when different techniques should be used.

Presenter

Clifford Lewis, Lecturer, Charles Sturt University

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Science storytelling and detective work in Museums

When: Wednesday 14th November, 11:55am – 1:25pm
Where: L1, Level 2 to the left of the registration/foyer area, down the hallway and through the doors on the right
Hashtag: #W12

Join MAAS curators in a participatory workshop and behind-the-scenes tour.

Experience being a curator, learn about object investigation and how to extract science stories from material culture. Deepen your understanding of the role that objects and museum collections play in understanding who we are and what we value.

Then join the curators of science, innovation and technology on a tour of the extraordinary wonderland of the Museum’s underground collection store.

Please note: There is one flight of stairs to access the Collection Store.

Session Producer, Presenter

Tilly Boleyn, Curator, Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences

Presenter

Matthew Connell, Principal Curator, Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences

Nina Earl, Science and Technology Curator, Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences

Angelique Hutchison, Curator, Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences

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Scicomm in a not-for-profit: a two-way street

When: Tuesday 13th November, 2:00pm – 3:30pm
Where: Theatrette, Level 2 behind the registration/foyer area
Hashtag: #T9

Dr Alison Gould1, Jemma Falkenmire1 and Jessica Van Coppenhagen2
Australian Red Cross Blood Service
1 Sydney Processing Centre, 17 O’Riordan St Alexandria NSW 2015
2 National Office, Level 3, 417 St Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC 3004

From “too sciencey” to “give us more”, this presentation will showcase how science communication can contribute to the strategic goals of a healthcare organisation, using the Australian Red Cross Blood Service (Blood Service) as an example.
The Blood Service provides life-changing products and services to patients and health-care providers throughout Australia. Our work is supported by a multidisciplinary team of research scientists embedded within an organisation of some 3500 staff, many of whom are not scientifically trained.
Scientific Communications was introduced as a dedicated role in our R&D team four years ago. Since then, it has contributed significantly to growing the organisation’s social media following, choosing research directions and translating research outcomes into practice at the Blood Service and beyond.
We showed that our audience has a strong appetite for science when we achieved viral success with a video describing some of our research. Our presentation will describe the anatomy of this success, and how it contributed to our organisation’s overall goals.
Since then, we have found that linking the world of research, media and social media through close collaboration has provided benefits for all of these groups.
Demand for science content, which was initially met with scepticism, has increased to the point where “too much science is barely enough”. From the perspective of our media team, provision of science builds solid relationships with journalists, which in the long-term can facilitate media call outs when we need to call for additional donations.
We will provide specific examples of our collaborative practices and the benefits delivered across our teams, including the ability to capture the attention of mainstream journalists, provide growth for our social media platforms, increase the reach of our research communications, conduct strategically aligned research and attract new collaborators for our researchers.

Session

Case studies: Lessons from the experts

Presenter

Dr Alison Gould, Scientific Communications Specialist, Australian Red Cross Blood Service

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Crafting Stellar Social Media Videos

When: Wednesday 14th November, 11:55am – 1:25pm
Where: Theatrette, Level 2 behind the registration/foyer area
Hashtag: #W11

As science communicators, data is at the heart of everything we do. But how do we convert that data into informative, entertaining, and most importantly, shareable content?

In this 90-minute session, we will take a look into why your organisation should be making social media videos, how to convert raw data into informative entertainment, and dissect exactly what makes up a great, scientifically-sound social media video, without resorting to cats on Roombas.

Presenter

Nelli Huié, Digital Communications Manager, The Climate Council

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A small mouse study? Or, the most important discovery for pregnant women since folate?

When: Tuesday 13th November, 2:00pm – 3:30pm
Where: Theatrette, Level 2 behind the registration/foyer area
Hashtag: #T9

(Work in progress/preliminary findings)

Introduction: News media reporting of scientific research is often derived from press releases rather than from journal articles. Press releases are quicker and easier to understand than the increasingly complex language used in scientific journal articles. Additionally, press releases are more easily accessible than scientific articles which can initially be under embargo and once published, often only accessible via subscription or payment to the journal publisher. Since it is known that news media coverage of scientific research is often based on press releases rather than on journal articles, it is important to investigate and understand how the translation process occurs from the journal article to the press release to the news media reporting. We chose to investigate this specific case study because it received controversial news media coverage and we sort to understand the translation process that led to this contention.

Methods: An in-depth qualitative text analysis was undertaken to compare a journal article (published in the New England Journal of Medicine), the corresponding press releases and all of the subsequent online news media reporting. The journal article, the two press releases and the 60 online news media articles (sourced from Google news) were imported into NVivo version 12. Each document was read multiple times to identify common themes for text analysis. An inductive approach was used to code each of the themes in the documents. The themes were labelled, and quotes were selected to represent each theme.

Preliminary results:

  • Many news media articles copied sections of the press release word-for-word.
  • Many news media articles did not clearly explain the study published in NEJM.
  • Few news media articles sourced independent commentary of the research outside of the quotes published in the press release.
  • Some news media articles omitted the role of mice in the study.
  • Some news media articles made potentially harmful clinical recommendations about vitamin supplementation for pregnant women which were not supported by the NEJM article.
  • The misrepresentation of the study in the news media had an international reach.

Conclusion: As news media reporting of scientific research has the potential to impact human behaviour (in ways that can be both beneficial and harmful), it is important that news media coverage of scientific research is clear, balanced and accurate. Whilst it is not possible to determine if the misrepresentation of the NEJM article in the news media reporting was a direct result of the press release, we can hypothesise that in line with other research in this field, a more objective and representative press release may have resulted in more balanced news media reporting.

Session

Case studies: Lessons from the experts

Presenter

Georgia Dempster, PhD Candidate & Senior Ethics Advisor, The University of Melbourne

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Engaging Regional Communities with Science – the Power of the People

When: Monday 12th November, 11:55am – 12:55pm
Where: Theatre, Level 2 down the stairs to the right of the registration/foyer area
Hashtag: #M7

How can we bring science to where people go? Find out how Inspiring Australia fosters lasting collaborations with regional communities to take science to new audiences. Learn how to grow science engagement activity and infrastructure through working with established networks. Discover what works and what doesn’t, the importance of working in partnership with local communities and understanding stakeholder needs.

Science engagement from the ground up – the NSW experience
Building STEM capacity in a rapidly evolving, global innovation system requires national effort on many levels – particularly at the grass roots. Inspiring Australia’s NSW Regional Science Hub network offers a low-cost response to this challenge. With modest funding support that is matched by partner investment, Science Hubs involve hundreds of organisations that come together at a local level to share skills and explore scientific issues. This capacity building approach helps increase scientific literacy through the delivery of creative and engaging public programs led by local communities. Discover how Science Hubs take the lead to create, collaborate and connect scientists with a diverse public, through festivals, events and programs that provide rich and memorable experiences for people of all ages. 

Finding our way through discovery and creativity – the SA experience
Inspiring South Australia has experimented with a number of regional engagement strategies and has found a few to be especially effective in engaging communities with science. Its regional Science and Arts Working Together program is designed to tell the stories of science through the arts, bringing together science and arts organisations, groups and practitioners to create fascinating projects that feature local stories and discoveries while engaging the community in the development and in the telling. Another effective regional program is a partnership between Libraries SA, the Children’s Discovery Museum and Inspiring SA that equips librarians to deliver science programs to 3-5 year olds. Covering a range of concepts, Little Bang Discovery Club empowers both children and their accompanying adults as co-learners and collaborators in the investigative process.

Session Producer, Session Chair, Presenter

Jackie Randles, Manager Inspiring Australia NSW, Inspiring Australia

Presenter

Sheryn Pitman, Programme Manager Inspiring South Australia, South Australian Museum

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Captivating Presentations

When: Thursday 15th November, 12:00pm – 4:45pm (including lunch)
Where: Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris St, Ultimo
Room: L1, Level 2 to the left of the registration/foyer area, down the hallway and through the doors on the right

Purchase separately or free for conference+workshop delegates (RSVP during registration).

Register now!

We’ve all seen presenters that just knock ‘em dead. Even on quite boring subjects the audience just seem to be in the palm of their hand. This workshop gives you the tools to wow the crowd and leave a lasting positive impression.

Working through practical exercises you will learn to create captivating visuals and avoid death by PowerPoint. You’ll learn to develop stage presence, add drama to your story and use your voice and body to connect with the audience.

At the end of this session you will have created a mini-talk on your own research/material – bring a paper or some background material that you want to tell the world about.

We’ll cover:
– Developing a clear message and delivering it in a way that sticks.
– Tips and tricks for making classy PowerPoint presentations.
– Warm ups and techniques to relax your body and conquer nerves
– Unlocking the power of your voice.
– Timing pitfalls to avoid at all cost.
– Connecting with your audience and keeping them on side.
– Adding that little extra magic

Workshop Facilitator

Dr Phil Dooley, Galactic Commander, Phil Up On Science and ASC National co-vice-president

Purchase separately or free for conference+workshop delegates (RSVP during registration).

Register now!

**This is a public event. Register to save your seat!**

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The Rescue Project Podcast – Stories of Kind Acts of Environmental Rescue

When: Wednesday 14th November, 10:20am – 11:20am
Where: Theatrette, Level 2 behind the registration/foyer area
Hashtag: #W6

**Have you ever rescued a riverbank? A tract of bush, an eroded beach, a waterway, some farmland, a garden or a native tree? A native animal or bird? What do you feel as you tend to tired earth, or engage with the intrinsic value of an old-growth giant, or as you look into that creature’s eyes? And, in some way, do these things rescue you?**

The Rescue Project is citizen storytelling in online and podcast form.
Launched in early October it is a public invitation to contribute a 500-word story to the Rescue website – a collaboration between Landcare Australia and Gretchen Miller/UNSW. The stories are currently growing there with opportunity for anyone to read and respond.
The next stage will be The Rescue Project Podcast, beginning production in early 2019 – 10 of the stories read aloud by the writers and set to sound. The podcast series will also include an audio documentary focusing on one special habitat rehabilitation site selected from the uploaded stories.
“Rescue” is an organic, living website, changing by the day and inviting its contributors to feel a part of something bigger. It functions as an online clubhouse for discussion of the personal power of taking action to benefit habitat, animals and the humans who get involved. The intention is to reflect the rich experience, both practical and psychological, that engaging with environment brings, building a deeper recognition of how little things can grow bigger ones.
https://landcareaustralia.org.au/rescue

Session

Case studies: Environment and community engagement

Presenter

Gretchen Miller, Rescue Project Director/Producer, Media Consultant, Gretchen Miller Media

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Including Scientists in SciComm

When: Tuesday 13th November, 9:15am – 11:15am
Where: Theatrette, Level 2 behind the registration/foyer area
Hashtag: #T3

This session will explore the range of different ways Questacon engages and collaborates with scientists and STEM professionals. It will highlight how this collaboration can create richer and more genuine engagement opportunities for students and the general public, connecting them to relevant STEM ideas and challenges. It will also show how this collaboration can create a learning experience for the involved scientist/STEM professional.
Examples include:

  • Questacon’s Regional Invention Conventions using STEM professionals to pose design and innovation challenges to students, giving them a problem to solve with real world connection
  • Boutique Botanical Teacher PD, developed alongside the 2017 ACT Scientist of the Year to bring plant science into the classroom.
  • Mind in Residence program, using local academics to develop new content within Questacon in the form of shows and demonstrations, helping bring cutting edge science to the public
  • Enterprising Australians web portal, using STEM professionals to tell stories of innovation, becoming inspiration for the next generation of innovators

Session

Case studies: Cultural Institutions and Festivals

Presenters

Broderick Matthews, A/g National Programs Manager, Questacon

Amelia Coman, Special Activities and External Liaison Officer, Questacon

Australian Science Communicators

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

Acknowledgements

© 2020 Australian Science Communicators

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