Category Archives: science communication

Non-Western and indigenous knowledges in science communication

Existing accounts of science communication history are largely Eurocentric and Western. Orthia argues that science communication should foster diverse expertise and develop deeper cross-cultural connections.

Gamers help quantum physicists in massive citizen science experiment

More than half a million levels of a video game have provided random data for a global study testing the laws of quantum physics. The Quantum Technology lab at the University of Queensland and ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQUS) was one of 12 laboratories from five continents to participate in the Big Bell Test, coordinated by the Institute ofContinue reading “Gamers help quantum physicists in massive citizen science experiment”

Science art: Lynn Taylor

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”

#GirlsWithToys: Using social media to deal with casual sexism

Equity in STEM has been a long time in coming. While we’ve made progress, casual comments like the one made by Prof. Shrinivas Kulkarni from CalTech continue. During an interview with NPR, Prof. Kulkarni, a professor of astronomy and planetary science, said that, “Many scientists, I think, secretly are what I call ‘boys with toys.”Continue reading “#GirlsWithToys: Using social media to deal with casual sexism”

Highlighting the need for conservation: the power of Douglas Adams

In early March, the 13th Douglas Adams Memorial Lecture was presented by the New York Times best-selling author Neil Gaiman, who spoke on the enduring and timeless nature of Adams’ work. In his opening address, Gaiman said, “I would classify Douglas as a genius because he saw things differently and he was capable of communicating the wayContinue reading “Highlighting the need for conservation: the power of Douglas Adams”

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”