community engagement – hype.science

IFLScience – a case of (positive) hype around science

If you haven’t heard of I Fucking Love Science (or IFLS for any sensitive readers out there) then let me give you a quick run down. Established sometime in March 2012 by Elise Andrew, IFLS has accumulated over 18 million Facebook followers and over 120 000 followers on Twitter, which is pretty incredible given the readershipContinue reading “IFLScience – a case of (positive) hype around science”

A war of perceptions on GMOs

Science communication. Black and white field crop

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”

Let’s talk about communicating science

Whales loom above you in the whale mall at the Brisbane Science Museum

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”

How do we talk about complex issues?

black globe, climate change title, caption 'you can make a difference', flower growing out of globe

Talking about complex issues requires breaking them down into manageable chunks. It’s all very well to announce that climate change is a problem, that our budget has been increased to $500 billion, or that oil is an unsustainable fuel source, but to generate understanding we need to be able to connect big statements to ourContinue reading “How do we talk about complex issues?”