14:00 – 15:30
Vista venue
Live stream
PARALLEL SESSION 1 – BRINGING DISCOVERY SCIENCE TO LIFE – CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Chair: Beverley Damonse
Rapporteur: Magdalena Eriksröd-Burger
Who knows what? Disciplinary structures and the pertinence of scientists in discovery science
Rainer Bromme (University of Münster, Germany)
Co-author: Eva Thomm (University of Erfurt, Germany)
We will explore the role of disciplinary structures in discovery science. While complex problems require multidisciplinary approaches, such research often leads to controversies that may undermine public trust in science. It is therefore crucial to explain these differences between disciplines and their respective value and strengths in research. Based on our findings regarding people’s understanding of disciplinary structures, we will propose creative methods for science communication that highlight these disciplinary structures, such as puzzles to illustrate experts’ relevance to topics of public interest.
Communicating the value of natural science collections to funders
Fulufhelo Tambani (Natural Science Collections Facility, South Africa)
The Natural Science Collections Facility (NSCF) faces the challenge of demonstrating the societal value of natural science collections to funders, many of whom are members of the general public. These collections, largely used for taxonomic research, support essential applied sciences such as agriculture, health, crime-solving, and conservation. However, the downstream nature of their benefits makes quantifying this value difficult. In South Africa’s strained economy, where basic services like food security and healthcare are prioritised, justifying funding for these collections becomes even more challenging. This talk will explore these issues and seek collective solutions.
Advancing science communication in Africa: Reframing Afrocentric perspectives on inclusion, capacity-building and language plurality
Rejoyce Gavhi-Molefe (African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, South Africa)
Communicating mathematical knowledge and research to the public is essential for transformative development in Africa. In this presentation, the 2023 Inclusive SciComm Symposium framework will serve as the foundation for exploring themes related to language, measuring success, and building trust. These themes are contextualised through the lens of a successful science engagement initiative: the Africa Scientifique (AS) Programme. This programme equips young and emerging African researchers with the leadership, knowledge, and skills for impactful science communication. Jointly delivered by African Gong and AIMS South Africa, the programme has been serving the cohort of Master’s students since 2020. The presentation will also provide insights and lessons learned from the outcomes and impact of the programme.
Bridging theory and practice: Learning environments for relatable science communication and engagement workshops
Atondaho Ramudzuli (Eh!woza and University of Cape Town, South Africa)
Co-authors: Alfa Fipaza, Mbali Jiyane, Anastasia Koch, Kristy Winkler
Eh!woza is an NGO operating at the intersection of public engagement, youth education, advocacy, and skills development. We will present insights gained from facilitating Eh!woza’s science workshops, which aim to simplify complex scientific concepts and expose learners to an active research environment. Our workshops cover topics such as TB transmission and clinical trials, and are designed to be interactive and accessible. The benefits of this approach are bidirectional: Eh!woza helps scientists understand the real-world impact of TB and enhances their communication skills while providing participants with a platform to share their experiences with TB and engage with scientific research.
Publishing discovery science: The case of CRISPR Cas 9
Ravini Moodley (Stellenbosch University, South Africa)
The CRISPR-Cas9 case presents an interesting opportunity to consider how discovery science is translated into innovations, how intellectual property (IP) is protected, and who ultimately benefits from it. This process has significant implications for the communication of discovery science at both academic and layman levels. This talk will explore various articles that have tracked the developments of this technology and how discovery science progresses toward commercial application. Typically, this narrative is told from a single perspective. How can science communication empower society to understand the various dimensions at play?
15:30 Coffee / tea
16:00 – 17:30
Vista venue
Live stream
PARALLEL SESSION 3 – STRATEGIES AND SUPPORT FOR DISCOVERY SCIENTISTS’ ENGAGEMENT IN BASIC SCIENCE COMMUNICATION
Chair: Lauren Budenholzer
Rapporteur: Nicola Davies-Laubscher
Fostering inclusive mentorship ecosystems in biomedical research: RockEDU as a case study for community-driven science engagement
Jeanne Garbarino (The Rockefeller University, USA)
RockEDU Science Outreach represents the centralised engagement hub for The Rockefeller University to connect scientific and non-scientific communities to engage in the wonder of science as a justice centred process. RockEDU programmes work closely with research sub-communities, such as graduate students, postdocs, research technicians, and principal investigators (PIs), to understand their perspectives and priorities around engagement.
The power of visual media in science storytelling – Lessons from a bat ecologist
Mariette Van Der Walt (Genus Palaeosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa)
Drawing from my personal experience as a bat ecologist and science communicator, I will explore why capturing visual media (photos and videos) of our work is almost as important as collecting ecological data itself. I will share specific examples from my work with bats, illustrating how visual media has enhanced my research communication efforts. From documenting fieldwork to creating engaging social media content, these visuals have helped to convey the significance of my research to a broader audience.
Building a science communication programme for discovery science
Shellie Richards (Vanderbilt University, USA)
Co-author: David Wright (Vanderbilt University, USA)
Vanderbilt University’s Programme for the Communication of Science and Technology is the only undergraduate programme of its kind in the United States. Our students come from both STEM and Humanities backgrounds, forming an academically diverse and complimentary group that, when working together, creates a sort of magic. Past and current projects include children’s books that share the personal stories of scientists, articles highlighting key research findings at the university and medical centre, and recorded film and podcasts about novel discoveries that bridge the gap between scientists and the broader community.
Rolling stones: Design and practical insights for a mobile geosciences exhibition
Robyn Symons (University of Witwatersrand, South Africa)
The School of Geosciences, located in central Johannesburg, faces challenges in public access due to urban decay, traffic, and crime. To address these issues, the school acquired a Karet Traveller 200 trailer in early 2024, with the goal of creating a mobile education and exhibition system. This mobile system, known as Rolling Stones, will help engage communities with geoscience, a field rooted in hands-on exploration. The talk will present the fabrication and preliminary deployment feedback from the Rolling Stones mobile exhibition system.
