ASC2020 - 16-19 Feb, Melbourne

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How you can change the world with science communication… on zero budget

We have much more power than most of us realise to bring about positive change. As science communicators, we are gatekeepers of knowledge that can change the world.

Science communicator and environmental campaigner, Matthew Shribman, will present on how, with zero budget and a lot of collaboration, campaigns can be built resulting in the likes of all three major political parties in the UK multiplying their reforesting pledges by factors of tens to hundreds, and universities and schools across Europe dropping beef and lamb.

Matthew’s campaign work has won the support of Paul McCartney, Peter Gabriel, the University of Cambridge and Friends of The Earth.

The session will focus particularly on the practicalities and struggles of building impact campaigns from the ground up, and the importance of shaping communication for different audiences, in order to empower rather than spread guilt and hopelessness.

There will also be a discussion of the pros and cons of achieving change through public-facing campaigns vs. decision maker-facing campaigns.

The aim of the session is to demonstrate what can be done with very little, and to encourage and empower attendees to dream big, and to act now.

What will participants gain from attending your session?
Inspiration and ideas. This session is about encouraging the use of skills and experience to bring about real positive change, and empowering attendees.

Presenter

Matthew Shribman, Scientist / Environmentalist / Musician

 

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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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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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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SciCom Trivia: World’s greatest science communication quiz show with (smallish) prizes

Join your colleagues at the opening night of ASC2020 and reminisce about Australian science communication events and people – great and small. Celebrate our 25-year history as an organisation. Dig even further back into our Indigenous and colonial past.

Who have been our famous science communicators? When did it all start? What science communication events have shaped our country today?

Come along to Dooley’s Irish Bar on Sunday February 16 at 6.30pm. Form a team of 4-5 people. Give your team a name, and test your knowledge of Australia’s dark science communication past.

Ringmasters

Jenni Metcalfe, Director, Econnect Communication
Toss Gascoigne, Consultant
Michelle Riedlinger, Associate Professor / Consultant, University of Fraser Valley/Econnect

When: Sunday 16th February, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Where: Dooley’s Irish Bar, 2077 Dandenong Rd, Clayton VIC 3168
Cost: Free for delegates – RSVPs essential, $25 for public.
Hashtag: TBC

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Strategies for measuring social impacts of science communication

Participants will learn about global social progress indicators.

The session will contribute to understanding how these can inform and be used in evaluating science communication

 

Presenters

Cobi Calyx, Research Fellow in Science Communication, Centre for Social Impact, UNSW Sydney

Amir Aryan, Head of the Social Data Analytics (SoDA) Lab in the Social Innovation Research Institute at Swinburne University of Technology.

Further opportunities for delegates interested in this session: Post-conference Workshop Thursday 20 February

Research Communication, Influence and Impact

Strategies for measuring real-life impacts of research

ASC2020 participants are invited to an unconference hosted by the Centre for Social Impact and Swinburne Social Data Analytics Lab the morning after the conference, about measuring social impacts of research. Please register your interest to: cobi.calyx@unsw.edu.au . 

 

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

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

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Participatory science communication for creating needed social change

Session will look at:
* What participatory science communication is, and why it has the power to create change
* Case studies of participatory science communication – long term and short term – to see what works or not (including at least one citizen science example)
* Barriers for participatory science communication, especially institutional will and resources, and opportunities to overcome these
* Roles for science communicators, scientists and other publics

 

Presenters

Jenni Metcalfe, Director, Econnect Communication

Jennifer Manyweathers, Post Doctoral Research Fellow in Biosecurity, Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, Charles Sturt University and NSW Department of Primary Industry

Michelle Riedlinger, University of Fraser Valley, Canada

Rod Kennett, Senior Manager for STEM Content, Questacon

Anne Leitch, Adjunct researcher / casual senior editor, Griffith University / NatureResearch

When: Tuesday 18th February, 2:00pm-3:30pm

Where: Room G02, Learning and Teaching Building, 19 Ancora Imparo Way, Clayton
Hashtag: TBC

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Communicating research for impact: making a difference in northern Australia

An efficient way for research to make an impact is when it is communicated effectively to those in positions to effect change.

An integrated research program in northern Australia under the Australian Government’s National Environmental Science Program is informing policy and supporting better management decisions by undertaking world-class research and delivering it with targeted and purposeful science communication.

With the research program in its final year, the engagement with research users – federal and state government departments, Traditional Owners and land managers – has shifted towards synthesising knowledge and delivering research results, in ways and at times that are most relevant to the user.

Communication products and activities include story maps, videos, factsheets, forums, workshops, presentations and targeted meetings.

The impact of research results is underpinned by early and ongoing engagement with research users to scope what projects were needed and identify possible integration with existing management and policy timelines that identified clear purposes for the research.

This presentation will highlight how our science communication approach is leading to specific cases of impact for environmental management in northern Australia.

 

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., Demonstrations: presenting innovative science communication practices with a commentary on their application and effectiveness.

 

What will participants gain from attending your session?
This presentation will show how engagement with research users and targeted science communication is increasing impact of research in northern Australia. Attendees will gain insight into innovative communication methods and how we address challenges of access and scale in northern Australia to deliver effective communication.

 

Presenter

Patch Clapp, Communications Officer, NESP Northern Australia Environmental Resources Hub

 

Co-authors

Jane Thomas, Science Communicator, NESP Northern Australia Hub

 

When: Monday 17th February, 12:30pm-1:00pm
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

© 2020 Australian Science Communicators

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