ASC2018 - 11-15 Nov, Sydney

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Designing methodologies with impact: A critical view on research

When: Tuesday, 13th November 9:15-11:15am
Where: L2, Level 2 to the left of the registration/foyer area, down the hallway and through the doors on the right
Hashtag: #T5

Different approaches and processes can be implemented as part of a research project – but the best approach is the one that will get you the most accurate assessment! Even using the right approach does not guarantee valid findings – It has to be the right question!
This workshop will address best practice approaches to designing research programs that combine scientific rigour with practical efficiency. We will look at the philosophy underpinning different approaches and how and when different techniques should be used. We will conclude with a discussion on how published research should be evaluated.

Presenter

Clifford Lewis, Lecturer, Charles Sturt University

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Public Perceptions of Science and Opportunities for Informal Learning

When: Tuesday 13th November, 9:15am – 11:15am
Where: Theatrette, Level 2 behind the registration/foyer area
Hashtag: #T3

Alice E Williamson1, Chiara O’Reilly2, Tom Gordon3, Chiara Neto1

1School of Chemistry and Sydney Nano Institute, The University of Sydney
2Museum and Heritage Studies Program, The University of Sydney
3School of Physics, The University of Sydney alice.williamson@sydney.edu.au

Abstract

Science education is frequently singled out as a priority goal for Australia (Office of the Chief Scientist, 2014). To date, much of the focus has been on formal education – expanding capacity and strengths in schools and higher education to ensure that Australia is prepared for the future of employment and research (Tytler, 2009).

In recent years, science festivals and special public events focused on science have rapidly grown around the world (Bultitude, McDonald, and Custead, 2011). These events engage diverse audiences and seek to make science accessible (Council et al., 2009). They can play an important role in breaking down traditional resistance to topics by opening up discussions and expanding community awareness and supporting lifelong learning (McCallie, et al., n.d.)

This study seeks to explore the role of informal learning environments for science in Australia. Through the participation in, and surveying of science festivals and one-off science programming outside of traditional learning environments, we seek to better understand the ways that these events succeed or fail in engaging the community with science. By examining why people attend and what they gain we aim to explore the role that these events can play in shaping and developing contemporary attitudes to science.

In this paper we will share insights from the pilot stages of our project, findings from our surveys at three informal events and our future goals.

Session

Case studies: Cultural Institutions and Festivals

Presenter

Dr Alice Williamson, Lecturer in Chemical Education and Outreach, The University of Sydney

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Communicating the True Nature of Science: A MAAS Collection Set

When: Tuesday 13th November, 9:15am – 11:15am
Where: Theatrette, Level 2 behind the registration/foyer area
Hashtag: #T3

Those who work in science research and communication understand that the scientific process is rarely linear: the road from hypothesis to discovery often involves setbacks, false leads, and diversions along the way; and new knowledge more often comes in the form of incremental progress than in major breakthroughs. We also understand the value of ‘blue skies’ research, and that the applications of this research may sometimes be indirect, or not emerge until decades later.

These are difficult concepts to convey, however, and while science outreach events like the Sydney Science Festival have helped to increase the public’s engagement with science (SSF reports 2016, 2017), recent research has also shown that these events may be reinforcing common misconceptions about scientific process, misleading the public’s perception of science as absolute and certain, instead of the tentative and evolving endeavour that it actually is (Kingsley et al., 2017). Media reporting too tends to over-simplify the process for the sake of headlines and storytelling (see e.g. Sumner et al. 2014), both of which suggest that additional approaches to science communication are required if we wish to convey these ideas.

The MAAS collection contains an estimated 500,000 objects, including a strong representation of science, technology and engineering artefacts, many of them related to Australian inventions and research (see MAAS Online Collection & MAAS Collection Development Plan, 2015). These objects provide a physical manifestation, in the form of familiar, everyday objects, of the long-term benefits of pure research in all of our lives, and demonstrate how research in fields as obscure as astronomy and quantum physics has practical implications in areas ranging from medicine to modern technology. In this talk I will present a set of scientific objects, drawn from the MAAS collection, which can help communicate these ideas, and the potential for developing this set into an online resource or a full exhibition.

Session

Case studies: Cultural Institutions and Festivals

Presenter

Sarah Reeves, Assistant Curator, Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences

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The Poet’s Guide to Science – A Sceptic Think Tank

Poet's Guide to ScienceWhen: Wednesday 14th November, 1:40pm – 3:40pm
Where: Theatrette, Level 2 behind the registration/foyer area
Hashtag: #W14

A cutting edge approach to science communication blending fiction and fact to address today’s scientific dilemmas. A hilarious and thought provoking piece featuring cameos from working scientists, answering real questions.

Cy is facing a major crisis in his life. He’s thinking twice about genetic modification, immunisation and that old chestnut, how crazy the weather is these days. Who can he turn to? His family doctor? His local poet? He visits both but remains sceptical, and draws them into a quest to resolve the questions they can’t answer.

On their journey, they run headlong into scientific controversies of many kinds and encounter real live scientists who cast light on age-old questions of facts and data, truths and untruths, and the difference between uncertainty and doubt. Even the audience get a chance to discuss questions with geneticist Miguel Hernandez, immunologist (TBA) and climate scientist Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick as they try to help Cy, his doctor and his poet find the answers they’re looking for.

A show born of a surprising collaboration between dastardly director Michele Conyngham, concerned communicator, Phil “PhD” Dooley, and thelf-thentred thespian Patrick Davies Trumper, The Poet’s Guide to Science is a truly original, thought-provoking and entertaining piece of communication.

Session Producer/Performer

Dr Phil Dooley, Galactic Commander, Phil Up On Science

Performer/Director

Michele Conyngham, Director/Writer, Wordplay Drama

Performer

Patrick Davies Trumper, Actor/Teacher, Wordplay Drama

Guest Scientists

Miguel Hernandez,  Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, University of Sydney

Sarah Perkins Kirkpatrick, Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes, UNSW

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What’s Design Got to Do With It? Designerly Approaches to Science Communication

When: Wednesday 14th November, 8:45am – 11:20am
Where: Theatre, Level 2 down the stairs to the right of the registration/foyer area
Hashtag: #W1

Design is not about prettifying information. Design is not a final step in production after the “real work” is done. But what is design, especially in the context of scicomm?

Designer Horst Rittel introduced and defined the term “wicked problems” to denote problems that are resistant to resolution, especially due to issues of social complexity. He contrasted these to the “tame” problems that science has effectively developed techniques to deal with. Many scicomm scenarios are wicked problems (they all deal with people in social contexts) and experienced designers can bring a different set of perspectives and skills to these problems.

Although design perspectives are relevant to all branches of scicomm, they have particular resonance in countries like Australia and New Zealand where scicomm projects regularly intersect with indigenous communities. Commonly employed scientific frameworks and methodologies, from which much scicomm derives, are ill-equipped to deal with the needs of such communities.

In this session, design professionals who engage with scicomm will provide case studies, advice, processes, and frameworks for thinking that offer alternatives to the techniques often employed by those who come to scicomm from science. They will demonstrate how designers can successfully play a significant role in scicomm conception, development, and implementation using their unique skills and approaches.

Session Producer/Session Chair/Presenter

David Harris, Lecturer (sessional), Queensland College of Art, Griffith University

Presenters

Jo Bailey, Lecturer, Massey University

Tristam Sparks, Senior Lecturer, Massey University

Jacqueline Gothe, Associate Professor, University of Technology Sydney

 

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

Acknowledgements

© 2018 Australian Science Communicators

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