ASC2018 - 11-15 Nov, Sydney

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A sea of deficit: The science communication landscape in Australia

When: Tuesday 13th November, 2:00pm – 3:30pm
Where: Theatre, Level 2 down the stairs to the right of the registration/foyer area
Hashtag: #T8

Science communication has been predicated on the deficit model —top-down, one-way communication from scientists to public audiences seen as “… empty vessels – as minds in deficit that need scientific information in order to be replete” [1]. This model has been discredited for 30 years, with research showing that more scientific information does not lead to the desired objectives of increased scientific literacy or public acceptance or agreement with science [2, 3]. And so a new mood for dialogue was identified in the U.K. House of Lords 2000 report [4], which consequently led to the UK’s Committee on the Public Understanding of Science (COPUS) closing itself down stating: “We have reached the conclusion that the top-down approach which COPUS currently exemplifies is no longer appropriate to the wider agenda that the science communication community is now addressing” [5].

Despite the above, our research suggests that the deficit model not only persists in Australia — it prevails. This study examines the science communication landscape in Australia, specifically during National Science Week in August 2018. Approximately 1300 activity organisers across Australia were asked to complete a short online activity profile survey. Based on the Generic Learning Outcomes (GLO) framework [6] and the CAISE Informal Science Education project framework [7], the survey contained questions about individual activity objectives, style and format. A total of 305 individual activity profiles were collected and categorised using the CAISE project framework.

The results show that across Australia, 71% of National Science Week activities classified as deficit model, while only 3% classified as dialogue or engagement model. This result is higher than the almost 60% of 411 activities categorised as deficit model in the Inspiring Australia audit in 2012 [8]. Based on the research discrediting this model, we argue that the prevalence of the deficit model in Australia may be impacting the effectiveness of science communication efforts in achieving desired objectives.

References
1. Gregory, J. and S. Miller, Science in public: Communication, culture and credibility. 1998, New York: Plenum.
2. Durant, J.R., G.A. Evans, and G.P. Thomas, The public understanding of science. Nature, 1989. 340(6228): p. 11-14.
3. Thomas, G. and J. Durant, Why should we promote the public understanding of science. Scientific literacy papers, 1987. 1: p. 1-14.
4. House of Lords, Science and Society. 2000, House of Lords: London.
5. Copus, Statement on Copus by the British Assiciation, the Royal Institution and the Royal Society. 2002, The Royal Society: London.
6. Hooper-Greenhill, E., et al., Measuring the Outcomes and Impact of Learning in Museums, archives and Libraries. 2003, University of Leicester: Research centre for Museum and Galleries.
7. McCallie, E., et al., Many Experts, Many Audiences: Public Engagement with Science and Informal Science Education. A CAISE Inquiry Group Report. 2009, Center for Advancement of Informal Science Education (CAISE): Washington, D.C.
8. Metcalfe, J., K. Alford, and J. Shore, National audit of Australian science engagement activities. 2012, Inspiring Australia: Canberra, Australia.

Session

Evidence-based scicom: Research exploring knowledge, beliefs and perceptions

Presenter

Isabelle Kingsley, PhD candidate, Science Communication, University of New South Wales

Co-Author
Dr Carol Oliver, Senior Research Fellow, University of New South Wales

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Writing Poetry Scientifically or Science Poetically

When: Wednesday 14th November, 11:55am – 1:25pm
Where: L2, Level 2 to the left of the registration/foyer area, down the hallway and through the doors on the right
Hashtag: #W13

Can poetry be used as a tool to communicate science? There is a science to poetry: poetic forms have strict formulas and measurement systems. Conversely, science is full of poetry – it is creative, imaginative, and inquisitive. This interactive workshop aims to decompartmentalise “poetry” and “science”, with a view to discussing the availability of poetry as a tool for communicating science to a wide range of audiences. Poetry will be deconstructed and various poetic forms analysed, giving you the techniques to debate and create your own science-inspired poetry. When scientific concepts are expressed in verse, perhaps the aesthetics, intuition, emotion, and poetic devices that characterise poetry will enrich the inductive reasoning, logic, pragmatism, and precise terminology that characterise science. Perhaps there are many ways in which the humanistic nature of poetry can be shaped for scientific purposes and messages. In turn, maybe the creative and descriptive nature of science will influence new poetic themes. Bring along your favourite poem or discover some new ones (perhaps even of your own making) as we explore science poetry and its future. Two examples, composed by the workshop’s facilitates, are here to get you thinking!

“This hemisphere leans
Sunward as winter breeds spring.
Hibernators rise.”

“The shy Higgs Boson’s strange decay
Happens, it seems, almost right away.
And it’s a loop of Tops
From which the shy Higgs pops,
Into a dual Photon array.”

Session Producers/Workshop Facilitators/Presenters

Dr Michael Leach, Adjunct Research Associate, School of Rural Health, Monash University

Rachel Rayner, Science Communicator, Australian Volunteers Program

The facilitators are currently working on a science communication paper around the topic of poetry as a communication tool. Elements of the results and discussion from this workshop may be incorporated into the paper.

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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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The power of podcast

When: Sunday 11th November, 10:30am – 2:30pm
Where: Ultimo Community Centre, 40 William Henry Street (Corner Bulwara Road), Ultimo
Room: Seminar Room 1, Level 1, enter off Bulwara Road.
Up the stairs, the library is on the right and the seminar room is down the corridor on the left.
Hashtag: #S1

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

Register now!

Using lots of hands-on exercises we explore the power of podcasting. What is podcasting? Why is the spoken word so effective? Who can podcast? (clue – anyone!)
We look at genres and formats, planning your podcast, working with talent, the art of the interview, scripting/presenting, how to handle audio equipment, and an understanding of the ‘back end’ – editing choices, hosting and social media.

Format
This session will alternate instruction in the elements of podcasting you need to consider and a number of practical exercises to help you come away with a plan for your first (second or third) ideal podcast.

Audience
The class will be tailored according to participants’ experience.
We will contact confirmed participants to ask you to indicate your experience level with audio interviewing/podcasting and what you’d like to get from the course.
Participants will come away with hands on experience in interviewing, handling recording equipment and working with talent, scripting and presenting, knowledge of hosting options and a plan for their ideal podcast.

Workshop Facilitator

Gretchen Miller, Podcast producer, lecturer and media consultant with 20 years experience at ABC RN, Gretchen Miller Media

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

Register now!

**Numbers strictly limited. Register to save your seat!**

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Science in the news: Life after the front page

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

As Communication Professionals, we dream about securing front page media coverage for our respective organisations. The reality is that getting great media coverage is the easy part. Sensitively and effectively managing the public interest following a high profile media story is much more challenging, especially when your talent is more at home in a laboratory than in front of a journalist. In this session, Carolyn MacDonald, Melea Tarabay and Emily Woodhams will share their experiences and advice for surviving ‘life after the front page’, including managing consumer expectations.

Session

Case studies: Sci com in health

Session Producer, Presenter, Session Chair

Emily Woodhams, Communications Advisor, Centre for Eye Research Australia

Presenter

Carolyn MacDonald, Head of Communications and Marketing, Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research

Melea Tarabay, Director Strategic Communications and Media, The Royal Melbourne Hospital

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

Acknowledgements

© 2018 Australian Science Communicators

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