The SciComm Collective

"Science communication is not just about talking to the media; it's about this broader relationship. Food is social, not just scientific." - Dr Heather Bray.

In our Summer Shorts bonus season finale, The SciComm Collective’s Kate is joined by guest Dr Heather Bray, Coordinator of UWA's Masters and Minor in Science Communication programs. Taking on the challenge she sets for students, Heather reflects on her performance at UWA's Raising the Bar 2024, where she presented on the future of food science. Kate and Heather discuss the importance of purpose, audience and message in science communication, how to plan for a presentation (and how not to!), and why reflective practice is vital for all science communication practitioners.

Episode Links:  

The SciComm Collective: 

Instagram

Facebook

“I liked the story of it and that's why I wanted to use that, to present [geology] in a way that was a bit more interesting, a bit more fun.”  - Owen Cumming

On this episode of Summer Shorts, join The SciComm Collective’s Clare as she interviews Owen Cumming, a graduate of UWA’s Master of Science Communication program. Owen talks about his journey from environmental science to science communication. Hear how Owen took his passion for making complex geological stories more accessible and engaging, to create his mini podcast episode, “Carved in Stone”, bringing the history and geology of continents to life through storytelling and sound.

Content warning: Mild offensive language.

Episode Links:  

• Owen Cumming’s LinkedIn and website

• UWA Science Communication
• Check out Episode 4 for more on the Deficit Model

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Website

Episode Details:

Host: Clare Boon  

Guest: Owen Cumming

Produced & Edited by: Clare Boon  

Shownotes by: Felice Ng  & Emma Gill

Sponsored by: UWA Grand Challenges Make A Difference Impact Grant 

“Learning and practising science communication is core to so much” - Lotte George

Welcome back to Summer Shorts, an exploration of podcasting by UWA science communication students. In this episode, The SciComm Collective’s Kate is joined by UWA Biomedical Sciences graduate Lotte George. Lotte shares how stumbling upon the UWA Tropical Grove during a study break inspired her to make a Shinrin-yoku (“forest bathing”) meditation podcast, and how her Science Presentations unit of study has benefited her even beyond the scientific landscape.  

Episode Links:  

• Watch Lotte’s valedictory address

• Shinrin-Yoku

• UWA Science Communication

• Why a walk in the woods really does help your body and soul by Jeffery Craig and Susan L. Presscott

The SciComm Collective: 

• Instagram

• Facebook

• Website

Episode Details:

• Host: Kate Holmes  
• Guest: Lotte George
• Produced by: Kate Holmes
• Edited by: Holly Dear
• Show notes by: Felice Ng
• Sponsored by: UWA Grand Challenges Make A Difference Impact Grant 

“While I’ve always had this interest in science, I didn’t always feel like it was the most accessible or easily understandable, so I was really drawn to science communication.” - Felice Ng

Join The SciComm Collective’s Clare as she interviews Felice Ng, a UWA student pursuing a Bachelor of Biomedical Science in Pharmacology and Genetics, along with a Science Communication minor. In this episode, Felice shares how Australia’s unique biodiversity inspired her to make a podcast about Triggerplants (Stylidium) as part of a bigger series called “Wildflower Walks.”  

Note: The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions is mentioned for student assignment purposes only.

Episode Links: 

• Felice Ng on LinkedIn 

• FloraBase

• 'Very rare' trigger plants catapult pollen onto visiting insects in Western Australia, by Leah McLennan and Arthur Mull

• UWA Science Communication

The SciComm Collective: 

• Instagram

• Facebook

• Website

  
  

Episode Host: Clare Boon  

Episode Guest: Felice Ng

Produced by: Clare Boon 

Edited by: Holly Dear & Emma Gill

Show notes by: Felice Ng  

Sponsored by: UWA Grand Challenges Make A Difference Impact Grant 

“Science can be silly, it can be goofy, it can be funny, and interesting!” - Anna Balaguer

In Summer Shorts we're exploring the art of podcasting with former UWA Science Presentations unit students. Today’s guest star is Bachelor of Science (Zoology) and Science Communication (Minor) student Anna Balaguer. Join Anna and The SciComm Collective’s Emma as they discuss the inspiration behind Anna's “Bone Zone” podcast about Anglerfish mating, the struggles of finding copyright-free music, and her science communication journey so far.

Content warning: Some adult themes.

Episode Links:

Anna Balaguer on LinkedIn

Freesound (sound effects database)

UWA Science Communication

The SciComm Collective:

Instagram

Facebook

Website

Episode Host: Emma Gill

Episode Guest: Anna Balaguer

Produced & Edited by: Emma Gill

Shownotes by: Felice Ng

Sponsored by: UWA Grand Challenges program Make A Difference Impact Grant

Additional Music: Sensual Jazz by Grand Project

How do you evaluate a podcast? What makes a good podcast?

Welcome to Summer Shorts, a bonus series brought to you by The SciComm Collective where we explore the art of podcasting with professionals and former students of UWA’s Science Presentations unit.

Today, The SciComm Collective's Kate and Emma chat with local podcasters Rockwell "Rocky" McGellin and Rose Kerr about the ins and outs of podcasting as a professional - with tips and tricks for students creating podcasts for the first time! 

Especially great for students taking the unit SCOM2205 Science Presentations at UWA and anyone else embarking on your podcasting journey, we invite you to tune into our episode and hear from the professionals about the importance of authenticity, why your voice and tools matter less than your intentions, and how to win your listener's ears and hearts.

Pro tip: Find out what they're interested in! 

Content warning: This episode contains references to alcohol and one use of swearing. We are Australian, after all. 

Episode Links:  

• Rose Kerr: https://www.instagram.com/rosie.zkerr/  
• Rocky McGellin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rockwell-mcgellin/ 
• 'Audio Guide to the Galaxy' podcast: https://www.scitech.org.au/inspiration/audio-guide-galaxy/ 
• 'Particle' podcast: https://particle.scitech.org.au/podcast/how-do-you-wash-a-root/ 
• "Wherever you get your podcasts" is a radical statement, by Anil Dash: https://www.anildash.com/2024/02/06/wherever-you-get-podcasts/ 
• UWA Science Communication: https://www.uwa.edu.au/study/courses/master-of-science-communication  

The SciComm Collective: 

• Insta: https://www.instagram.com/thescicommcollective/ 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uwascicomm/ 
• Website: https://thescicommcollective.com/home/ 
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0KX28xUSW6A0fOXEXEXhtk 
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-scicomm-collective/id1768282279 

Episode Hosts: Emma Gill & Kate Holmes  

Produced by: Emma Gill, Kate Holmes, Dr. Heather Bray

Edited by: Emma Gill 

Audio Engineering: Keelan Powell  

Show notes by: Felice Ng & Emma Gill  

Sponsored by: UWA Grand Challenges program - Make A Difference Impact Grant    

"We all have something to contribute to the enterprise of science and technology." - Ann Grand

Join hosts Emma and Felice as they chat with Dr Ann Grand, Adjunct Associate Professor in Science Communication at UWA and Lead Research Fellow and Policy ​Analyst ​at ​the ​National ​Coordinating ​Centre ​for ​Public ​Engagement in the UK. Discover the evolution of public engagement in science, the importance of collaborative research, and how science cafés foster open dialogue. Ann shares her insights on the significance of identity in science, the role of science communication in education, and the power of community-driven projects. Ann’s experience with Open University’s astrobiology unit offers an example of the importance of integrating ethics and societal perspectives into scientific discussions.

Shining light on engaged research, where collaboration with various communities leads to richer insights and better science!

Episode Links:   

This episode was brought to you by:

Follow The SciComm Collective on Instagram and online at www.thescicommcollective.com

Keywords:

Science Communication, Public Engagement, Engaged Research, Science Identity, Collaborative Research, Science Cafes, Astrobiology Education, Inclusive Science, Dialogue in Science, Community Involvement, Science Curriculum, Knowledge Sharing, Science Identity, Public Understanding Of Science, Science And Technology, Science Education, National Coordinating Centre For Public Engagement, University Of Western Australia, Open Science

You’ve heard about DNA... but what about eDNA? From tracking invasive species to cryptozoology, Professor Neil Gemmell (Geneticist, University of Otago) has explored the science of DNA throughout his academic career. Join Masters student Rae as she picks Neil’s brain on sex-changing fish (spoiler alert: the world is not ready for a Finding Nemo re-make); the importance of building trust between scientific and local and indigenous communities; and how Neil's children inspired a search for the Loch Ness Monster, an unexpected exercise in science communication.

“We have to find ways to communicate our research before we start it, while we're doing it and then after we've done...What do we want to do and why? How and who is going to benefit from it? How is this actually improving society? I think it's a great privilege to do what we do.”

- Professor Neil Gemmell 

Episode links:

This episode was brought to you by:

- Special Guest: Professor Neil Gemmell

- Produced by:  Emma Gill, Kate Holmes

- Audio editing: Camila Pardo Uribe

- Research: Felice Ng, Kate Holmes, Camila Pardo Uribe, Kelly Hopkinson, Emma Gill

- Show notes: Camila Pardo Uribe, Felice Ng, Emma Gill

- Sponsored by UWA Grand Challenges: Make A Difference Impact Grant

Follow The SciComm Collective on ⁠Instagram  and online at www.thescicommcollective.com

Keywords:

Genetics, Science Communication, Sex-Changing Fish, University Of Otago, New Zealand, Loch Ness Monster, Environmental DNA, Citizen Science, Indigenous Collaboration, Predator Control, Public Engagement, Genetic Technologies, Cultural Similarities, Storytelling, Marine Biology, Biodiversity, Research Collaboration, Science Education, Community Trust

“We are here behind the scenes to help the science be more accessible, to remind the scientists to listen to the audience.” - Eugenie Au 

Ke chats with Eugenie Au, a graduate of the UWA Master of Science Communication and now a science communicator at WA’s King’s Park and Botanic Garden. We dive into her amazing journey from being a wildlife biology guide in Canada to her current gig in Australia. Eugenie shares her experience of science communication challenges, her love for plants and reptiles, and the wild adventures that come with leading a guided walk—including bears! 

Episode Links: 

This episode was brought to you by: 

"The public is diagnosed as ignorant of and lacking interest in science. The main symptoms of the condition are aversion, anxiety and mistrust. The prescribed cure: Science pills." - Marko Ahteensuu (2011)

What is science communication's Deficit Model, and why does it sound so ominous?

Join UWA Master of SciComm students Kelly, Holly, and Kate as we discuss the Deficit Model, why it presents challenges, and how it assumes a one-way flow of information from scientists to the public. What alternatives might there be?

Tune in to learn more.

Episode links:

⁠Science Communication at The University of Western Australia (UWA)⁠

⁠UWA SciComm⁠

⁠Dr Heather Bray⁠⁠

"Science pills" quote - Marko Ahteensuu (2011) Assumptions of the Deficit Model Type of Thinking: Ignorance, Attitudes, and Science Communication in the Debate on Genetic Engineering in Agriculture

Brian Wynne (1989) Sheepfarming after Chernobyl: A case study in communicating scientific information

Alan Irwin (2021) Risk, science, and public communication: Third-order thinking about scientific culture

Kate's blog: I Thought I Knew Science. Science Communication Changed That.

This episode was brought to you by:

- Hosts: Kelly Hopkinson, Holly Dear, Kate Holmes

- Producer & Editing: Kelly Hopkinson

- Show notes: Emma Gill

- Socials: ⁠Follow The SciComm Collective on Instagram⁠   

- Website: ⁠thescicommcollective.com⁠

- Sponsor: UWA Grand Challenges

Keywords:

Science Communication, Deficit Model, Public Engagement, Dialogue, Participatory Methods, Indigenous Knowledge, Lived Experience, Science Education, Audience Engagement, Social Constructivism, Epistemologies, Knowledge Sharing, Science Culture, UWA