ASC2018 - 11-15 Nov, Sydney

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Taking your presentation skills to the next level

When: Tuesday 13th November, 11:45am – 12:45pm
Where: Theatre, Level 2 down the stairs to the right of the registration/foyer area
Hashtag: #T6

The key to the art of presentation is knowing it’s a dictatorship, and you are in control.

Dr Karl will take you on a fun guided tour through how to deliver a Powerpoint/Keynote presentation. There will be tips and tools to help you engage your audience, from simple microphone technique to how to blend content and segues to generate humour.

Learn the skills to take your audience on a science journey to remember from one of the country’s most experienced presenters.

Session Producer/Chair

Dr Phil Dooley, ASC National Co-Vice-President, Phil Up On Science

Workshop Facilitator/Presenter/Performer

Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, Julius Sumner Miller Fellow for Sci Comm, University of Sydney

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Forget Fake News – Is PR Hype the Big Problem in Science and Could a Media Release Labelling System Help?

When: Wednesday 14th November, 2:40pm – 3:40pm
Where: Theatre, Level 2 down the stairs to the right of the registration/foyer area
Hashtag: #W15

Science and health stories are often criticised for containing conflicting, exaggerated or misleading claims, and while journalists may play a role, a 2014 study showed that exaggeration in news is strongly associated with exaggeration in media releases.

In just the last 12 months there have been a myriad of media releases using the word ‘breakthrough’, or describing the outcome of mouse studies as if they had been done in humans. Is it media teams or scientists themselves who are spinning the research?

In the era of fake news, do those of us communicating science research need to lift our game? A voluntary labelling system for media releases may be part of the answer. Our colleagues at the Science Media Centre in the UK created a simple labelling system to help journalists get their heads around medical research media releases and what they really mean.

The system has already been adopted by several major journal publishers including Cell Press and the British Medical Journal (BMJ).

This session will discuss hype in science media releases, its impacts, origins and what can be done to address it.

Session Producer/Session Chair/Presenter

Lyndal Byford, Director of News and Partnerships, Australian Science Media Centre (AusSMC)

Presenters

Jason Whittaker, Story Editor, Media Watch, ABC TV

Kellia Chiu, PhD candidate, The University of Sydney

Dr Meredith Ross, Marketing & Communications Officer, Garvan Institute of Medical Research

 

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Sydney Opera House Tour

When: Sunday 11th November, 4:15pm – 5:15pm
Where: Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney
Meet Kimberly Cullen at the Sydney Opera House shop
Hashtag: #S2

The Sydney Opera House is one of the world’s most recognisable landmarks and this is your chance to truly get up-close. Run your hands over the world-famous shell tiles, take a seat in the elegant custom-made white birch timber chairs and marvel at the vaulted ceilings. Visit areas off-limits to the public and capture photographs from rare vantage points. Explore theatres and foyers where more than 1600 concerts, operas, dramas and ballets take place each year.

Be led through every aspect of the building’s 14-year creation and 58-year history. Delve into the stories behind Danish architect Jørn Utzon’s masterpiece. What inspired his revolutionary design? How did he solve its engineering challenges to realise his vision? You’ll find out on this very special one-hour guided tour.

At the end of the tour, you will have the opportunity to purchase a photo memento in an exclusive Sydney Opera House memory book. In this book, you will also be given access to unlimited digital copies of your exclusive tour photos.

Minimum of 12 people, $40 per person.

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How modern science communication has emerged in different countries over the last 50 years

When: Wednesday 14th November, 10:20am – 11:20am
Where: L2, Level 2 to the left of the registration/foyer area, down the hallway and through the doors on the right
Hashtag: #W8

Our project documents how modern science communication has emerged in different countries over the last 50 years. It involves 123 authors working in teams from 43 countries including Ghana, Malaysia, Mexico, Indonesia, Turkey and Colombia as well as major powers such as the UK, USA, Germany, China and Japan.

The project documents the pathways different countries have taken, recording major events, debates and activities in science communication as they moved to adopt the practices of modern science communication. What challenges did they face, and what solutions have they found?

The project has attracted enormous interest in science communication communities around the world. Strong demand has meant the original 20 participating countries has grown to 43. The hunger of countries to learn from international experience is clear. Representation is divided equally between post-industrial nations and countries with a developing industrial base in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

What practical advice can be gleaned from the national reports to help deal with pressing problems at home? How can science communication be applied to assist countries ‘to secure the fundamentals of human well-being – health, food, energy, jobs’?

It’s an Australian project with international impact, and the results will be published by ANU Press.

Session Producer, Session Chair

Mr Toss Gascoigne, Visiting Fellow, Australian National University

Presenter:

Dr Michelle Riedlinger, Associate Professor, University of the Fraser Valley, Canada

Dr Bobby Cerini, Deputy Director and General Manager, Science and Learning A/g, Questacon

Niall Byrne, Creative Director, Science in Public

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Case studies: Environment and community engagement

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

The environment + community = community engagement! Getting the community involved in environmental science is a rewarding venture. Hear from the speakers about their experiences in engaging the community in their work – both the rewarding and challenging.

The session is structured into three 15-minute talks and will wrap-up with a 15-minute Q&A for delegates questions and comments.

The session will include the following talks:

Session Producer

 

Session Chair

 

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Trust Me, I’m a Scientist: A Case Study about Science Communication, Co-design and Community

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

As most science communicators and scientists know, even the most engaging and carefully-crafted communication will be ineffective if your audience doesn’t trust you. As Victoria’s environmental regulator, the Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) is acutely aware of the importance of trust, particularly when it communicates and engages with communities.

In early 2014, a fire at Hazelwood Mine burnt for 45 days, covering much of the Latrobe Valley region in smoke. As a result, community confidence in EPA and the Victorian government was low both during and immediately after the fire.

Since then, EPA has worked closely with Latrobe Valley communities to strengthen relationships and improve how it communicates its science. This work cumulated in the roll out of a ground-breaking co-design process in 2016, which relied on extensive input from community, scientists, engagement experts and a science communicator. The primary task of a community panel was to design an air monitoring network to complement EPA’s existing air monitors in the Latrobe Valley.

In this session you will hear how a co-design process helped build community trust from the point of view of a science communicator. I will:
• show you how science communication improved the community’s understanding of air pollution and helped build community trust
• share my challenges and triumphs of working side-by-side with scientists and community
• explain how lessons learnt through a co-design process have made me a better science communicator.

Session

Case studies: Environment and community engagement

Presenter

Catherine Healy, Science Communication Advisor, Environment Protection Authority Victoria

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In conversation: why does science need style?

When: Monday 12th November, 10:25am – 11:25am
Where: Theatre, Level 2 down the stairs to the right of the registration/foyer area
Hashtag: #M3

Consistent and inconsistent style has had fascinating impacts in many fields of communication. Arguably, some of the highest stakes exist in science communication, where complexity meets diverse audiences, and matters of health, innovation and safety depend on technical texts being understood down to the letter. Join our panel in conversation, as we delve into the applications and implications of style in technical writing. Journey back as we look at some of the historic styles in science communication, and the way linguistics has influenced the often highly emotional attachment we have to certain style conventions. We’ll unpack style preconceptions, how we determine what’s ‘right’ and what’s ‘wrong’ in matters of science style, and go through some interesting examples of the good, the bad and the ugly. Add a dash of technology as we learn about Macquarie University’s research into what eye tracking technology can tell us about the ways we digest information. We’ll also touch on the science style resources available to science communicators.

This 45 minute session includes 15 minutes of Q&A at the end. We look forward to sharing a thoroughly engaging science style conversation with you!

Join panellists Dr Janet Salisbury, founder and Director of Biotext; Emeritus Professor Pam Peters, Macquarie University Department of Linguistics, Gab Lhuede, National Publications Manager for St John Ambulance; and panel Chair, Toss Gascoigne, a founding member of Australian Science Communicators, and a veteran science communicator.

Session Producer, Presenter

Dr Janet Salisbury, Founder and Director, Biotext

Session Chair

Toss Gascoigne, Visiting Fellow, Australian National University

Presenter

Emeritus Professor Pam Peters, Emeritus Professor, Department of Linguistics, Macquarie University

Gabrielle Lhuede, National Publications Manager, St John Ambulance Australia

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Case studies: Sci com in health

When: Wednesday 14th November, 2:40pm – 3:40pm
Where: L1, Level 2 to the left of the registration/foyer area, down the hallway and through the doors on the right
Hashtag: #W16

The media is often quick to make a medical related story high profile given how much of an impact this can have on the everyday person.  What happens next? How do you manage the exposure?

The speakers in this session will share with you how they’ve managed the after effects of a high profile medical related story.

The session is structured into three 15-minute talks and will wrap-up with a 15-minute Q&A for delegates questions and comments.

The session will include the following talk:

Session Producer

Emily Woodhams, Communications Advisor, Centre for Eye Research Australia

Session Chair

Emily Woodhams, Communications Advisor, Centre for Eye Research Australia

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Speed Networking

When: Monday 12th November, 11:55am – 12:55pm
Where: L3, Level 2 to the left of the registration/foyer area, down the hallway and through the doors on the right
Hashtag: #M9

It can be hard work to get around and meet everyone at a conference.

Join 49 other delegates for this coordinated speed networking session.

You will have the chance to meet and chat with over half of the attendees as you shift between small groups.

[limited to the first 50 RSVPs – filled up quickly at ASC2014. RSVP when you register or modify your registration in your registration portal]

** Spaces strictly limited, RSVP for this session during registration. **

** All attending this session will be listed on this session page as they register to attend. **

Session Producer

Kimberly Cullen, Managing Director, Crafting Astronomy Communication

Attendees

Adam Selinger, Executive Director, Children’s Discovery Museum Ltd
Andy Stapleton, CEO and Founder of verbalize.science
Anna Attard, Research Assistant and Masters Student, University of New South Wales
Anne-Sophie Dielen, The Australian National University
Dr Astha Singh, Vice President | ASC NSW, ASC
Bobby Cerini, Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre
Caleb McElrea, University of Melbourne
Catharina Vendl, University of New South Wales
Dr Catherine Dorey, Consultant, Fish & Fisheries | Science Communication | Campaign Strategy
Catherine Healy, Science Communication Advisor, Environment Protection Authority Victoria
David Robertson, Lecturer, Monash University
Errol Hunt, FLEET: ARC Centre of Excellence
Jane Ilsley, Econnect Communication
Jen Martin, Educator and radio personality, The University of Melbourne
Jenny Whiting, Microscopy Australia (previously AMMRF)
Jessica Heinemann, Centre for Biopharmaceutical Innovation – UQ
Julianne Camerotto, NSW Office of Environment and Heritage
Jun-Ting Yeung, University of Melbourne
Kimberly Cullen, Managing Director, Crafting Astronomy Communication
Matt Nurse, Masters degree candidate, CPAS, Australian National University
Meagan Vella, NPWS
Melina Gillespie, Communication Advisor, CSIRO Energy
Micaela Jemison, Science Communicator, Smithsonian Institution
Michael Helman, Communicatrium
Michelle Neil, Australian Citizen Science Association
Michelle Riedlinger, Associate Professor, University of Fraser Valley, Canada
Nicole Fetchet, Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre
Paul Holper, Director, Scientell
Dr Phil Dooley, ASC National co-vice-president and Galactic Commander, Phil Up On Science
Rachel Rayner, Science Communicator, Australian Volunteers Program
Rebecca Blackburn
Richard Chi, Sydney Observatory – MAAS
Sally Grosvenor, CDPC, University of Sydney
Shannon Panuska, CIT Bruce
Sheryn Pitman, Programme Manager Inspiring South Australia, South Australian Museum
Susan Rauch, Lecturer, professional writing (science and technology), Massey University, School of English and Media Studies
Taryn Laubenstein, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies
Tilly Boleyn, Curator, Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences
Dr Tom Carruthers, Senior Content Producer, Australian Academy of Science and National Director, Pint of Science Australia
Tom Rayner, Griffith University
Tyrone Anderson, ASPIRE – UNSW

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Citizen Storytelling – How the Small Stories can Combat the Global Warming Hyperobject

When: Monday 12th November, 10:25am – 11:25am
Where: Theatrette, Level 2 behind the registration/foyer area
Hashtag: #M4

The stories around us regarding climate change are shocking and both the concerned public and scientists are exhausted. Every day there is a new petition to sign, a plea for a donation for campaigning and another set of terrible statistics. Talk to lay people and their eyes glaze over, talk to friends within environmental communications they can finish the story for you. So how can we re-engage ourselves and those around us? Does art and storytelling have a further role to play in reconnecting a fatigued public who want to act but can’t bear the tidal wave of bad news? This discussion with science and activist communicators will look at how new formats might help us include and engage those who are running out of steam. We’ll discuss new digital and social trends including podcasting and citizen storytelling and how broadcasting is remaking itself, alongside the use of performance and installation arts to help us colour in shades of grey and provoke emotive responses. And we will consider how to break through the exhaustion to positively engage others and encourage actions both large and small.

Robyn Williams AM has presented and produced the science show on ABC RN every week for over 40 years and knows just how to find a new angle.

Paul Brown is an academic professor in environment studies at UNSW, was campaign manager for Greenpeace and is also a verbatim playwright.

Gretchen Miller is a former radio documentary maker from ABC RN currently doing a PhD in her specialist arena of citizen storytelling, podcasting and environmental communications.

James Link manages the corporate partnerships program at Landcare Australia and is accustomed to telling great stories of the work of everyday Australians to attract new funding.

Tessa Fluence is public narrative coordinator leading the Changing the Story work at the Australian Conservation Foundation.

Session Chair

Gretchen Miller, Podcast producer, lecturer and media consultant, Gretchen Miller Media

Presenters

Robyn Williams AM, Presenter, The Science Show, ABC RN

Paul Brown, Associate Professor Environment Studies, UNSW Faculty Arts and Social Sciences

James Link, Head of Corporate Partnerships, Landcare Australia

Tessa Fluence, Public Narrative Coordinator, Australian Conservation Foundation

Australian Science Communicators

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Questions? Please contact Kali on asc2018@asc.asn.au.

Acknowledgements

© 2018 Australian Science Communicators

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