The Australian Science Communicators (ASC) is a network of over 400 people working in science and technology communication across Australia and overseas. It has been running since 1994.
Members include journalists and broadcasters employed by major media outlets, freelance writers and consultants, scientists, teachers and public affairs officers working for research organisations, laboratories and universities. We are drawn together by a desire to improve our skills, exchange ideas and build synergies, and in general to advance the profession of science communication.
𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝘂𝗹 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗽𝗲𝗿
The Scientell team mourns the loss of the company’s co-founder and co-director, Paul Holper. Paul died on 5 September, leaving a lasting legacy in environmental and climate change communication. Paul was a generous leader, mentor and friend. We will greatly miss Paul’s contribution to the Scientell team, his ideas, discussions and jokes. Our thoughts are with his family and wide network of friends and colleagues.
Introducing ASC Conversations!
The aim is to connect with other science communicators, scientists, journalists, filmmakers, educators, researchers and students in the Australian Science Communicators community.
We'll chat with Associate Professor Jen Martin, who leads the University of Melbourne's acclaimed Science Communication Teaching Program. She’s passionate about helping scientists develop the skills to be visible, make connections and have impact. Jen is a writer, radio presenter, podcast host, event MC, teacher and researcher.
Even if you don’t identify as a science communicator, please feel free to come along! All you need is an appreciation for the effective communication of science or research!
When: Friday 13 September, 1pm
Our host and facilitator is Jenna Ong, a student of science communication at the Australian National University. Jenna’s excitement for science communication dates back to her childhood in Perth, marvelling at Scitech’s Planetarium with her dad.
Australian Science Communicators
It was an honour to receive the 2024 Science Communication Hero of Australia from the Australian Science Communicators in Perth recently. After helping so many researchers with their awards, it was nice to be on the receiving end.
For me, scientists are my heroes. They have the know-how to fix the problems we face. This award celebrates ALL of those who have worked with us over the years to get their research stories into the public space.
Thanks ASC for organising an interesting, relevant and fun conference in Perth recently (thanks The University of Western Australia for hosting and for teaching sci comm).
Science communication is fun! You get to hang out with very clever people and help them share their knowledge.
Twenty-one years ago this month, Niall Byrne and I first worked together in the media room at the International Genetics Congress in Melbourne. Alongside ASC pioneers including Jenni Metcalfe, Tim Thwaites, Leigh Dayton, PhD and Dr Craig Cormick OAM.
Since then we have:
- Brought 650 journalists and communicators to Melbourne for the 2007 World Conference of Science Journalists;
- Media trained hundreds of researchers;
- Edited numerous prize nominations, reports and case studies;
- Written countless media releases, generating hundreds of thousands of stories across mainstream media.
To see a researcher turned to by government for advice, hear them present to peers with confidence, or talk about current news topics from the couch at ABC News breakfast... each moment lifts me up, gives me hope. That's why I do it.
To those studying science communication, considering a career in sci comm or been working in it for years, keep going. Your work does make a difference.
One scientist at a time. Keep polishing. There are diamonds underneath.
Constructive reporting in an era of climate fatigue. Join us for an informal conversation with The Age’s science reporter Liam Mannix at the Belgian Beer Cafe Southbank Wed 31 July to explore how to find new ways to tell the most important story of our time.
Liam will soon be returning from five months in Denmark where he worked with four other leading climate reporters from four continents to workshop constructive journalism.
Hear what they came up with.
Wednesday 31 July
Belgian Beer café (upstairs)
From 5.30pm with Liam talking from 6 to approx. 6.30pm.
RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/gdPA9VNc.
Dinner and drinks at bar prices. This is an informal gathering for those interesting in communicating science and research. Dinner will come out as and when you order.
Liam will talk from 6pm and answer questions.
Science in Public is organising this event together with the Australian Science Communicators.
The Australian Science Communicators Monthly Members Online Networking event is ON again this FRIDAY (yipeee!).
Hosted by Claire Harris (CPM), come along to catch up with old friends and meet new ones!
Were you in Perth recently at #ASC2024? Come along and catch up with some of the people you met there, or hear about what it was like!
Come along and share, listen, laugh and learn!
12:30pm AEST | 12:00pm ACST | 10:30am AWST
Looking forward to seeing you there. Register via zoom.
The AusSMC is thrilled to have won the first Inspiring Project in Science Communication award at the Australian Science Communicators conference in Perth this week for our recent Collaborative Journalism Project!
The Collaborative Journalism Project, supported by The Walkley Foundation for Journalism, included five evidence-based news series across five Australian newsrooms, covering endometriosis, carbon farming, vaping, urban planning and fertility.
The AusSMC's Olivia Henry has been busy in Perth this week giving a presentation on the project at the ASC conference, and accepting the award on behalf of the team at last night's gala dinner.
The unique thing about these collaborative journalism projects is that scientists are actively involved in the creation of content rather than just being an angle in a story. Complex topics sometimes don’t lend themselves well to the daily news cycle but by supporting journalists in this way we were able to help them create more in-depth coverage. What other topics would you like to see covered in this way?
Congratulations to Rona Sakko OAM on her Order of Australia medal, announced today in the King's Birthday Honours list! 👑
Rona has been recognised for her services to science education. She is a former President of the South Australian branch of ASC and has made many significant contributions to the field of science communication and education. A well-deserved honour!
All ASC Members are invited to join our June online Networking Event scheduled for next Tuesday 11 June 5:30pm AEST!
Hosted by Phil Dooley you can see some of the friendly faces and presenters who will be at the ASC2024 National Conference in Perth on 18-20 June. Come along to learn, laugh, share and meet some fellow Science Communicators.
Register via zoom, hope to see you there.
