Lynn Taylor is a visual artist who works in her Lighthouse Studio on the Otago Peninsula. She recently paired up with her daughter, Petra Fersterer – a particle physicist, to create a visual expression of Petra’s research, which looks at trapping ultra-cold atoms. “Atoms are constantly moving, which makes them difficult to observe. To even attemptContinue reading “Science art: Lynn Taylor”
Category Archives: communicating complexity
On ‘scienceyness’ and public trust
At the beginning of February, Scott Adams posted on his blog Dilbert about “Science’s Biggest Fail“. The issue, said Adams, is that science has lost its credibility in the public because uncertainty over when science is ‘done’. Scott Adams, “Science isn’t about being right every time, or even most of the time. It is aboutContinue reading “On ‘scienceyness’ and public trust”
Selling through science (aka commercial hype)
So, we’ve looked at hype from a variety of sources (including scientists, journals and media), but what about those huge proponents of big promises – the commercial sector? The nutritional supplement industry in the USA, which made $11.5 billion in sales in 2012, is a easy example to make. In May 2014, the American FederalContinue reading “Selling through science (aka commercial hype)”
Shark tales: on cage diving
Internet hype gives us a chance to look into the ethics of cage diving with sharks
A war of perceptions on GMOs
In a war of perceptions, how do you know which experts are providing the ‘right’ information?
A gap in science journalism: communicating about Ebola
With all the hype around online (and with misinformed people like Donald Trump tweeting about how Ebola victims should have stayed in Africa to prevent spreading the virus), it’s time to talk about how Ebola has exposed a gap in science communication. While organisations like the CDC created a resource for people in the USContinue reading “A gap in science journalism: communicating about Ebola”
Science art: Picturing the future with climate change just got easier
With the UN Climate Summit approaching, there’s going to be a lot of talk about climate change. So this seems like a good moment to let images speak for themselves. Below, you will find a small gallery of images from UK artists Robert Graves and Didier Madoc-Jones depicting the potential impact of climate change onContinue reading “Science art: Picturing the future with climate change just got easier”
Science art: TLC | Chemical Romance
This 2010 installation by Laura Alesci (assisted by Dr Aaron M. Socha, Chemist) used CS gas and pepper spray to create a harmless cloud of the TLC molecule and lights. The TLC installation explored the junction of science, art and design. The chemical agents of pepper spray and tear gas were deconstructed and merged toContinue reading “Science art: TLC | Chemical Romance”
Let’s talk about communicating science
On March 18, Professor Ian Chubb (Chief Scientist of Australia since 2011) addressed the National Press Club as part of a two day ‘Science Meets Parliament‘ event. The group that runs this event (Science and Technology Australia) have three very specific aims: to encourage scientific dialogue between industry, government, and the science and technology community, toContinue reading “Let’s talk about communicating science”
It’s all in the story
Have you ever reached the middle of a joke and realised that you’re missing some important information? It happens to everyone (truly, it does) but at the time it’s disheartening. You’ve lost your key message and the attention of your audience. Stories are integral to a brand: they promote connection with your audience and theyContinue reading “It’s all in the story”
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