Science Communication – How to Promote Your Research
In the modern research landscape there is a spectrum of different methods of communication and publication available for sharing research outcomes and engaging with different audiences beyond traditional peer-reviewed journals. The panel brings together science communicators who utilise a range of different forums (blogging, social media, radio, exhibitions) to bring an interest and engagement with science to diverse audiences. Panellists will discuss their own experiences in science communication, as well as the value and impact of employing a range of methods of communication, and the skills that researchers need to enhance their outreach activities. Panel: Rose Hiscock, Stephen Luntz, Dr Katie Mack, Dr Jenny Martin Chaired by Julia Cleghorn Julia Cleghorn is an excitable, sport-loving, theatre-going science fan. She studied the human body at university, but came to realise that her eagerness to learn was second only to her enthusiasm to tell others what she had learnt. And so started her career as a science communicator, where she works to inspire, educate and entertain the masses about how the world works. During her postgraduate studies, she travelled around Australia with the 2007 Shell Questacon Science Circus, performing science shows to students in remote areas. She then moved to Brisbane where she worked for Network Ten on their kids science show Scope. Julia eventually moved back home to Melbourne, where she worked as a freelance science writer, before starting her role in communications for the Faculty of Science at the University of Melbourne. Rose Hiscock is a Cultural Director in the dynamic field of STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. Rose is the inaugural Director Science Gallery Melbourne, an international gallery located at the University of Melbourne and dedicated to the collision of arts and science. Prior to joining Science Gallery, Rose was Director of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS) where she was responsible for significant change and growth across the Museum's portfolio of venues: Powerhouse Museum, Sydney Observatory and the Museums Discovery Centre. Rose has held senior leadership positions in the arts; as Executive Director, Arts Development Australia Council for the Arts, she was responsible for building audiences and cultural capacity, nationally and internationally. Rose's career includes roles at Museum Victoria where she was responsible for commercial and marketing operations for Scienceworks, Melbourne Museum, The Royal Exhibition Building, IMAX Melbourne and the Immigration Museum. Rose is committed to building a vibrant, balanced and accessible arts sector. She is a Board member of Back to Back Theatre, Australia's highly successful company with a full-time ensemble of actors considered to have an intellectual disability, and Chunky Move, one of Australia's premier dance companies. Dr Katherine (Katie) Mack is a theoretical astrophysicist. Her work focuses on finding new ways to learn about the early universe and fundamental physics using astronomical observations, probing the building blocks of nature by examining the cosmos on the largest scales. Throughout her career as a researcher at Caltech, Princeton, Cambridge, and now Melbourne University, she has studied dark matter, black holes, cosmic strings, and the formation of the first galaxies in the Universe. Katie is also an active science communicator and is passionate about science outreach. As a science writer, she has been published by Slate, Sky & Telescope, Time.com, and other popular publications, and is a regular columnist for Cosmos Magazine. She tweets at @astrokatie. |