In the latest Association of Science Communications (ASC) Q&A, ASC’s Dr. Allison Coffin discusses science communications from a foundation perspective with Russ Campbell, Director of Science Communications and Strategic Partnerships & Senior Communications Officer for Burroughs Wellcome Fund (BWF), a private foundation that supports biomedical research, career development for scientists, and STEM education in N.C. Allison Coffin: Can you tell us a little bit about the work you do with Burroughs Wellcome Fund and where the foundation is focused right now?   Russ Campbell: I’ve bee ..read more

An interview with Dr. Kiki Sanford, Dr. Allison Coffin, and Jessica McNellis ASC Q&A: Key Takeaways from the First In-Person Science Talk Conference in Three Years   The annual Science Talk Conference was held in-person for the first time in three years. Over 140 science communicators came together in Portland, Oregon, with another 160 joining virtually, to discuss improving communication between scientists, policymakers and the public, being more strategic in science communications, and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the industry. Dr. Allison Coffin and Dr. Kiki ..read more

By Scott Hershberger ​At Science Talk 2022, hundreds of science communicators from around the world shared their expertise and made new connections. In my previous post, I wrote about my experience meeting fellow science communicators in person for the first time. Today, I’m going to share my personal takeaways from the workshops and talks at the conference. Out of the many good ideas bouncing around at the sessions, I noticed three themes that came up again and again: know your audience, be empathetic, and choose your messenger wisely. Know Your Audience When acquaintances ask me to define ..read more

By Scott Hershberger Get a group of science communicators in a room, and you’re in for a fascinating conversation. Extend that gathering for two full days, and you’ll gain insights that will reshape how you approach your work. That was my experience at Science Talk 2022. I arrived knowing almost no one. My shift from physics and math student to science communicator coincided with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic—so after more than two years in the field, SciTalk ’22 was my first-ever in-person conference. Through my AAAS Mass Media Fellowship and previous online conferences, I had met oth ..read more

In a special guest Q&A, Science Talk’s Dr. Kiki Sanford sat down with Brooke Smith, Director of Public Engagement with Science at The Kavli Foundation, and Rick Borchelt, Director of Communications and Public Affairs for the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science, to talk about key themes discussed during last year’s SciPEP (Science Public Engagement Partnership) Conference and what’s next for the partnership between The Kavli Foundation and the DOE.​ Dr. Kiki Sanford: SciPEP is a collaboration between Kavli and the Department of Energy. Can you tell us a bit about how the collabora ..read more

By Brian Palermo, Palermo Improv Training First principles of communication, science-specific or otherwise, require both a transmitter of information and a receiver. And if you are to be successful then it’s vital to create - and maintain - a connection between the two.  The internet contains almost all of the information in the history of our species.  But if you can’t connect to it, you get nothing! But why is it so dang hard to connect with audiences? Sadly, your content is seen as uninteresting to 99.5% of our species Because Kanye TikTok’ed the Queen into Morgan Wallen’s Aust ..read more

PORTLAND, OR — March 14th, 2022 — The nation’s only conference for professional science communicators convenes with a growing sense of urgency as science literacy and public opinion of science continues to decline. Science Talk ‘22 gathers in person and virtually at the Tiffany Center in Portland, Oregon from March 23rd to 25th, with a focus on the many ways that science communication connects science to society.  “Science without communication is silent at a time when the course of our world is being decided with an undue suspicion of the science that can save lives, combat climate cha ..read more

By Marley Parker ​This post is part of series on "The Many Arms of SciComm" which will introduce concepts and ideas leading up to Science Talk '22. Registration is open until March 16th. Four years ago today I left my position at UNC Research to start my career as a full-time freelance photographer, videographer, and science writer. Four years. That’s 1,461 days. It is also exactly a quarter of my adult, professional life. When I left the comfort and security of my state employee job, I told everyone I was excited. But I was mostly stressed. I experienced a lot of self-doubt and sleepl ..read more

​By Sheeva Azma This post is part of series on "The Many Arms of SciComm" which will introduce concepts and ideas leading up to Science Talk '22. Registration is open until March 16th. It’s 7 am and I’ve pulled my second all-nighter this week because I can’t sleep. Over the past two years, the COVID pandemic has slowly became my dystopian, anti-science nightmare. As a science communicator, I often lay awake and think about how much I wish that we weren’t nearing the grim milestone of one million COVID deaths. Pandemic science communication has been a challenge. Scientists and science jou ..read more

By Dr. Kiki Sanford This post is part of series on "The Many Arms of SciComm" which will introduce concepts and ideas leading up to Science Talk '22. Registration is open until March 16th. "If we want our public health system to function better—safer, swifter, in ways that more effectively safeguard the lives and livelihoods of all citizens—it must be rooted not in coercion but in confidence, and not only among the majority.” –Norman Doidge In my mind, the quote above doesn’t just apply to the public health system. As science communicators, it is our responsibility to translate & com ..read more