ASC2018 - 11-15 Nov, Sydney

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What’s next: Taking your sci com career to the next level

When: Tuesday 13th November, 4:00pm – 5:30pm
Where: L2, Level 2 to the left of the registration/foyer area, down the hallway and through the doors on the right
Hashtag: #T15

So you’ve been in science communication for a while, and wondering what to do next. This session is a group brainstorm of career directions, opportunities and inspirations.

Where are the influential jobs? What are the big challenges developing for sci com? Should I go freelance? Can I make enough money from sci comm to have a secure future!?

Everyone’s answers will be different, but hopefully you will make connections and get inspiration to get you on the right path for you.

Session Producer, Workshop Facilitator

Dr Phil Dooley, Galactic Commander, Phil Up On Science and ASC National co-vice-president

Attendees

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
Broderick Matthews, A/g National Programs Manager, Questacon
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
Catherine Somerville, Doherty Institute
Emma Saville, EPA Victoria
Errol Hunt, FLEET: ARC Centre of Excellence
Jane Ilsley, Econnect Communication
Jasmine Fellows, CSIRO
Jen Martin, Educator and radio personality, The University of Melbourne
Jessica Heinemann, Centre for Biopharmaceutical Innovation – UQ
Jun-Ting Yeung, University of Melbourne
Kimberly Cullen, Managing Director, Crafting Astronomy Communication
Laura McCaughey, UTS
Lee Byrne, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre
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
Naomi Koh Belic, University of Technology Sydney
Nicole Fetchet, Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre
Rachel Rayner, Science Communicator, Australian Volunteers Program
Rebecca Blackburn
Richard Chi, Sydney Observatory – MAAS
Ruth Redfern, CRDC
Sally Grosvenor, CDPC, University of Sydney
Sarah Buchan, The Mullion Group
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
Tom Rayner, Griffith University
Taryn Laubenstein, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies
Dr Tsuey Cham, Communication & Stakeholder Manager, CSIRO GISERA
Tyrone Anderson, ASPIRE – UNSW
Vanessa Fuchs, The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

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Beyond Panels: Better Events for Controversial Science

When: Monday 12th November, 1:55pm – 3:25pm
Where: L1, Level 2 to the left of the registration/foyer area, down the hallway and through the doors on the right
Hashtag: #M11

Real-life events are a golden opportunity where interested, diverse groups of people gather around an issue or idea. As science communicators in a time of divisive rhetoric and online filter bubbles, how can we curate events that are rich, engaging and able to examine the nuances of complex subjects like climate change, health science, and more?

Right now, panel discussions are a go-to format for science events, especially on controversial topics. The format, despite its popularity, is structurally flawed: rarely do panels achieve depth of dialogue, enable true audience input, or change hearts and minds. Many alternative formats exist, and this session will include two micro-events to showcase more interactive approaches, leaving participants with practical know-how they can use right away.

Session Producer/Workshop Facilitator

David Robertson, Lecturer, Monash University

Presenters

Djuke Veldhuis, Director of the Bachelors of Science Advanced, Monash University

Eleanor Reynolds, Education Officer, ANSTO

 

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Captivating Presentations

When: Thursday 15th November, 12:00pm – 4:45pm (including lunch)
Where: Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris St, Ultimo
Room: L1, Level 2 to the left of the registration/foyer area, down the hallway and through the doors on the right

Purchase separately or free for conference+workshop delegates (RSVP during registration).

Register now!

We’ve all seen presenters that just knock ‘em dead. Even on quite boring subjects the audience just seem to be in the palm of their hand. This workshop gives you the tools to wow the crowd and leave a lasting positive impression.

Working through practical exercises you will learn to create captivating visuals and avoid death by PowerPoint. You’ll learn to develop stage presence, add drama to your story and use your voice and body to connect with the audience.

At the end of this session you will have created a mini-talk on your own research/material – bring a paper or some background material that you want to tell the world about.

We’ll cover:
– Developing a clear message and delivering it in a way that sticks.
– Tips and tricks for making classy PowerPoint presentations.
– Warm ups and techniques to relax your body and conquer nerves
– Unlocking the power of your voice.
– Timing pitfalls to avoid at all cost.
– Connecting with your audience and keeping them on side.
– Adding that little extra magic

Workshop Facilitator

Dr Phil Dooley, Galactic Commander, Phil Up On Science and ASC National co-vice-president

Purchase separately or free for conference+workshop delegates (RSVP during registration).

Register now!

**This is a public event. Register to save your seat!**

Share on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1049576325220833/

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Disruptive Sci Comm; How the Arts can help Scientists Escape Deficit-Model Communication

When: Monday 12th November, 10:25am – 11:25am
Where: L1, Level 2 to the left of the registration/foyer area, down the hallway and through the doors on the right
Hashtag: #M5

The deficit model is deficient. Facts are dead. Feeling is the new thinking.

Meet the science communicators that are harnessing the arts to connect with their audience in a non-educational way. Although many scientists see the way the arts appeals to the emotional side of their audience as anathema, these are examples of science pitched straight at the heart and soul. But does it succeed? And what is success anyway?

Come prepared to take part, heckle and debate with:

Dr Phil Dooley, musician and storyteller for Phil Up On Science. He wants to know what Schrodinger’s cat thinks about still being a box 100 years later.

Craig Cormick, fiction writer and immersive science communicator.

Heather Catchpole, co-founder Refraction Media, who poetry to encapsulate ideas using minimum words and maximum effect. With poetry, humour and music she hopes to create empathy towards science.

Michael Mills, stage performer and alter ego to the singing palaeontologist Professor Flint who has been connecting local communities to their prehistory through music and storytelling.

Dr Michael Leach and Rachel Rayner who will challenge us to debate and create our own science-inspired visual poetry. If the right energy is supplied – swing dancing – Rachel may also undergo a phase transition from solid to liquid to gas.

David Harris, science communicator and artist. It’s an uneasy truce…

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Sci Comm Cabaret: Creative Science Communication in the Pub

When: Sunday 11th November, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Where: 3 Wise Monkeys Pub (upstairs), 555 George Street, Sydney
Hashtag: #s3

Free for conference delegates (RSVP during registration) or purchase separately.

Register now!

Science Communicators from around the country show off their creative approaches to communication in an informal setting, to start the conference off with a bang.

Expect Stand Up, Stories, Songs, Poetry and more from all walks of science in this no-holds-barred night celebrating innovation in sci comm, and a love of science delivered with truly entertaining style.

A great chance to make new connections, catch up with old colleagues and get inspired for the conference.

Lineup

Dr Phil Dooley (Phil Up On Science) wants to know what Schrodinger’s cat thinks about still being in a box 100 years later.

Heather Catchpole‘s poetry will make you smile, frown and dance like Gloria Gaynor.

Michael Mills‘ alter-ego Professor Flint frequently causes dinosaur stampedes.

Petr Lebedev doesn’t bother doing science communication, he gets artificial intelligence to do it -Imagine Carl Sagan and William Shakespeare in a blender.

JT Yeung is going to tell us the story of the Indian frog prince who could fight viruses.

Dr Michael Leach’s science poems are pub-tested with a collective called “The Write Stuff” and in the 2018 Bendigo Writers Festival.

When energy is supplied in the form of Swing Dancing music, Rachel Rayner undergoes Lindy Hop phase transition from solid to liquid to gas.

Wildlife monitoring student Shannon Panuska has some koala-ty StandUp to share.

Ecological hip hop artist Dave Wong likes chatting with endangered goannas.

Presenter slots still available, contact philuponscience@gmail.com to get involved.

Keep tabs on the conversation and express your interest on the Facebook event here.

Purchase separately ($10 or $5 for members) or free for conference delegates (RSVP during registration).

Register now!

**This is a public event. Register to save your seat!**

Share on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/events/848630658859692/

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The missing link for STEM diversity

When: Tuesday 13th November, 4:00pm – 5:30pm
Where: L1, Level 2 to the left of the registration/foyer area, down the hallway and through the doors on the right
Hashtag: #T14

A diverse science, technology, engineering and mathematics skilled workforce is critical for innovation, entrepreneurism and a competitive national economy. Not everyone from multifarious backgrounds who have passion for STEM and scientific research remain in the workforce. They also don’t consider STEM research and occupations as an employment choice. In a substantial number of cases one of the many reasons for this trend is the ability to communicate their concepts and also the ability to understand scientific concepts. The wider research community in the STEM sector has emphasised that the reasons for ‘brain drain’ need to be better understood. But more importantly, we need to bring back the tide of highly specialised, highly trained individuals leaving research by providing them with some valuable tools, mentoring and networking opportunities in the wider successful STEM network base.

The line-up of successful researchers from well represented multicultural and diverse backgrounds in this session will talk about the strength of diversity and discuss how to fill the missing links.

Session Producer, MC

Dr Astha Singh, Vice President | ASC NSW, ASC

Presenter

Associate Professor Devanshi Seth, Principal Scientist, RPA Hospital and Clinical Associate Professor, Centenary Institute, University of Sydney

Dr Noushin Nasiri, Lecturer at School of Engineering, Macquarie University

Alfonso Ballestas-Barrientos, PhD Candidate, Laboratory of Advanced Catalysis for Sustainability, School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney

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Permission to be Bold: Art-Science Engagement

When: Tuesday 13th November, 9:15am – 11:15am
Where: L1, Level 2 to the left of the registration/foyer area, down the hallway and through the doors on the right
Hashtag: #T4

Communicating science and technology research that has societal impacts can be challenging. Individuals engage with research from diverse points of view, and some communication, event and activity formats do not incorporate or acknowledge these different personal and cultural narratives. This can exclude or discourage audiences, or miss opportunities to reach new ones.

This interactive workshop will explore how art science collaborations can offer a different way to engage audiences with such research. With a ground-up introduction, selected examples from world practice, collaborative activities, and take-home tips from experienced facilitators, participants can dip a toe into the excitement, challenge and rigour involved in facilitating, producing or participating in art-science collaborations.

Session Producers/Workshop Facilitators/Presenters

David Robertson, Lecturer, Monash University

Lizzie Crouch, Senior Coordinator of Engagement, SensiLab, Monash University

Presenter

Nathan Harrison, Performer and Writer, Applespiel

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STEMpunk Podcast: Live at ASC

STEMPUNKWhen: Tuesday 13th November, 12:45pm – 2:00pm
Hashtag: #T7

STEMpunk podcast investigates what STEM is, who does it, and why.

The format of the show is like a panel show where we ask Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths questions, as well as a question from our previous guests. STEMpunk has also run a number of successful live quiz and trivia events.

STEMpunk is not like most other Science podcasts, choosing to interview not only people people involved in STEM, but others outside as well. And for those involved in STEM, we ask them questions about things outside of STEM. We have interviewed some fantastic guests like Dr Katie Mack, Dr Karl, Dr Margaret Wertheim and Professor Brian Schmidt.

This session will be an informal chat with the STEMpunk hosts interviewing expert practitioners at the ASC conference about what STEM is, and who does it. The hosts will encourage audience participation and questions to make the podcast as interesting and conversational as possible.

This session will be released as an episode for the STEMpunk podcast.

http://stempunkpodcast.blogspot.com.au/

Session Producer/Session Chair/Presenter

Tom Gordon, Producer/Host, STEMpunk

Presenters

Christie Mcmonigal, Host, STEMpunk

Shane Hengst, Host, STEMpunk

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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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Anyone can visually communicate science

When: Thursday 15th November, 8:00am – 12:45pm (including lunch)
Where: Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris St, Ultimo
Room: L2, Level 2 to the left of the registration/foyer area, down the hallway and through the doors on the right

Purchase separately or free for conference+workshop delegates (RSVP during registration).

Register now!

Visuals grab attention and can have great explanatory power. As a result they’ve long been coveted in science communication circles. Yet many practitioners still feel they lack the skills to make them.

Well, forget all that negative self talk. The premise of this workshop is in the title: “Anyone can visually communicate science”. And it goes about equipping you to do so through a series of brief lectures, discussions and practical exercises.

Building on everyday skills you already possess (like writing, taking photos, sending text messages and using presentation software), this hands-on workshop will help you make visuals that should prove immediately useful in your internal and external communication activities.

Bring along pen, paper, laptop and ideally some idea/concept/research you wish to communicate visually.

Learn how to:
⁃ analyse visuals you like and use them to guide you in creating your own,
⁃ generate and iterate visual ideas,
⁃ create simple illustrations, visual abstracts and infographics,
⁃ improve the quality of your visual products,
⁃ and commission visuals (because even having learnt the basics you may still need to delegate).

PLEASE NOTE: Science visualisation is a related but different area of endeavour. If that is your focus, much of the content might still be relevant but the workshop will not be covering computer simulation or 3d computer graphics.

Workshop facilitator

James Hutson, Explanation designer, Explanovision

Purchase separately or free for conference+workshop delegates (RSVP during registration).

Register now!

**This is a public event. Register to save your seat!**

Share on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/694141270960487/

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

Acknowledgements

© 2018 Australian Science Communicators

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