ASC2020 - 16-19 Feb, Melbourne

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Making impact with science in the Board and Executive rooms

Some of the great challenges (wicked problems) of our time rely on our decision-makers having access to the right science, engineering or technical information, at the right time. Setting aside the political realm, most decisions are made at an Executive or Board level.

In my experience (and practice) there are specific needs for this audience when discussions involve scientific and technical complexity. There can be challenges (and opportunities) based on timing, access, culture and even alignment that need to be overcome.

I’ll draw on a couple of real life scenarios from these rooms (with the names removed) and use them to draw out some lessons learnt and a framework to share into the sector to enable better uptake of science into decision-making processes.

What will participants gain from attending your session?
Open people’s eyes to what these audiences need; a framework for considering if and when science will have impact at the Board and Executive level.

Presenter

Anthony Boxshall, Principal & Founder, Science into Action

 

When: Wednesday 19th February, 2:40pm-3:25pm
Where: Room G02, Learning and Teaching Building, 19 Ancora Imparo Way, Clayton
Hashtag: TBC

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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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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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Delving deeper with design thinking

This workshop will introduce participants to design thinking and, through hands-on activities, demonstrate its different stages and how they can be used for many purposes, including to help science communicators develop more relevant content and for engaging audiences more effectively.

Using the Whittlesea Tech School as a case study, which is part of the new Victorian government initiative intending to transform secondary school education, we will illustrate how we use design thinking to empower young people to take on global and local challenges.

This session aims to demonstrate the widespread applications of design thinking and how it can be used by science communicators for both developing content and delivering content with more effective audience engagement. Participants will gain hands-on experience with the design thinking methodology and learn ways in which they could implement design thinking into their own work context through reflective discussion.

This session will be structured with a brief presentation on design thinking and how the Whittlesea Tech School uses design thinking to empower young people and build their science literacy and communication skills. In the form of short hands-on activities, participants will then be guided through the different stages of design thinking to solve a global issue. They will work in groups and the workshop will conclude with a pitching session.

Workshop Facilitator

Vhairi Mackintosh, STEM Communication Officer, Whittlesea Tech School

Michael Wilson, STEM Communication Officer, Whittlesea Tech School

 

When: Wednesday 19th February, 11:00am–12:50pm

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

Hashtag: TBC

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We are not experts: Co-creating content with audiences

Science Gallery Melbourne (SGM) is an art/science laboratory for young people to spark big ideas. This workshop will take participants behind the curtain into our process engaging young people, experts, and communities to develop exhibition themes, artworks, and public programs.

Drawing on case studies from the science gallery global network, this session will take participants through the co-creation process to workshop future SGM programs.

What type of session will this be?

Demonstrations: presenting innovative science communication practices with a commentary on their application and effectiveness., Workshop: allowing participants to actively engage in exploring a project or concept in science communication.

How will this session be structured?

0-10 minutes: introduction of presenters and Science Gallery as a global network and Melbourne node including overview of co-creation in regards to programming,
10-45 minutes: Case studies from SGM and Science Gallery nodes around the world of the behind the scenes ways that we co-design and co-develop exhibitions/programs.
45 – 90 minutes: Participants will take part in a co-creation, co-development workshop led by SGM staff.

Session Producer, Workshop facilitator

Claire Farrugia – Education & Outreach Manager, Science Gallery Melbourne

 

Workshop facilitator

Tilly Boleyn – Curator, Science Gallery Melbourne

 

Presenters

Anastaszia Ward-Davies, Visual art teacher (Williamstown High School) Research assistant (University of Melbourne – MGSE & Department of Medicine/Department of Physiotherapy)

Jett Janetzki The University of Melbourne/MPavilion

 

When: Wednesday 19th February, 13:50pm-15:25pm

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

Hashtag: TBC

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Unlocking creativity to engage with wider audiences

In a time when scientists and policy leaders are arguing that global behaviour change is imperative to the planet’s survival, how can we as individuals make a difference using our communication and storytelling skills?

We know that telling audiences the facts isn’t enough. This workshop will explore creative communication and campaign approaches we can take to achieve cut-through and prompt engagement. It will also present techniques and offer short tutorials to get creative juices flowing.

Presenters

Our guides for the session include:
• Professor Jennifer Byrne, University of Sydney’s Faculty of Medicine and Health and NSW Health Pathology
• Charlie McDevitt, McCann Melbourne
• Associate Professor Tim Moss, Ritchie Centre at the Hudson Institute of Medical Research and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Monash University

Session producer and chair

Claire Harris, Founder and Marketing-Communication Specialist, Innovate Communicate

Jennifer Byrne, Professor of Molecular Oncology, University of Sydney’s Faculty of Medicine and Hea

Tim Moss, Associate Professor and Perinatal Physiologist, Hudson Institute of Medical Research

Charlie McDevitt, Group Business Director, McCann

 

When: Wednesday 19th February, 1:50-pm-3:25pm

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

 

 

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Are we making progress as Australian Science Communicators?

Have we made progress in the last eight years? Updating findings of the 2012 participatory evaluation of the ASC conference.

A participatory evaluation session was run at the 2012 ASC conference, you can see some of the key outcomes on the picture to the right:  these were framed as a vision for the future in which scicom had been effective.

Have we made progress on some of these themes? Are other themes now more important? What aspects are within science communicators’ control and which aren’t? How do these align with other priorities?

 

What will participants gain from attending your session?

– understanding of purposes of science communication, clarifying own perspectives & comparing with others

– developing shared understanding of indicators for tracking progress in science communication, potentially for people to then use in their own work

– evaluation of the conference in a participatory format while people are gathered, more engaging than survey.

 

Presenters

Cobi Calyx, UNSW Centre for Social Impact

Lisa Bailey, ASC President

Jenni Metcalfe, Director, Econnect Communication

 

When: Wednesday 19th February, 13:50pm-15:25pm

Where: Room G31, Learning and Teaching Building, 19 Ancora Imparo Way, Clayton
Hashtag: TBC

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Health Communication

Health sciences are one of the most popular topics in science news reporting, but many questions remain about how science is or is not used by communities to make health-related decisions. From disease awareness to nutrition, this session will cover communication of human and animal health sciences.

The session has three 15-minute talks, with 15 minutes of Q&A and discussion to conclude.

Session Producer

Research Program Committee

Session Chair

Linden Ashcroft, Lecturer, Climate Scientist and Science Communicator, The University of Melbourne

 

When: Wednesday 19th February, 9:30am-10:30am
Where: Room G01, Learning and Teaching Building, 19 Ancora Imparo Way, Clayton
Hashtag:

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Communication Strategies to Mitigate Risk

How do we effectively communicate risk and uncertainty? This question plagues many fields of science, as we try to help individuals, communities, governments and businesses make rational decisions based on the best research available. This session will present the latest literature in risk and uncertainty communication.

The session has two 15-minute talks, with 15 minutes of Q&A and discussion to conclude.

Session Producer

Research Program Committee

Session Chair

Linden Ashcroft, Lecturer, Climate Scientist and Science Communicator, The University of Melbourne

 

When: Wednesday 19th February, 1:50pm-2:35pm
Where: Room G01, Learning and Teaching Building, 19 Ancora Imparo Way, Clayton
Hashtag:

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Communication Delivery Methods

While knowing your audience is crucial, it is also vital to understand the best way to deliver a message to that audience. The tools we use to communicate can make or break how well science is received.

This session explores the impacts of communicating through a range of delivery methods to different audiences, including group chat technologies, news media and social media platforms.

The session has three 15-minute talks, with 10 minutes of Q&A and discussion, followed by another three 15-minute talks, with 10 minutes of Q&A and discussion to conclude.

The session will include the following talks:

11:00am-12:50am

11:00am start

11:45am Q&A and discussion

11:55am start

12:40pm Q&A and discussion

Session Producer

Research Program Committee

Session Chair

Jenny Martin, Educator and radio personality, The University of Melbourne

 

When: Wednesday 19th February, 11:00am–12:50pm
Where: Room G01, Learning and Teaching Building, 19 Ancora Imparo Way, Clayton
Hashtag:

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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