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State of SciComm Within the Academic Community

11/11/2020

By: Brooke N. Dulka; @IsRewriting

Brainstorming ideas

Image credit: Pixy.org

“How do you engage in science communication?” This is a question I posed to a group of academics during a breakout session at the virtual meeting of the Pavlovian Society in early September. Not surprisingly, that initial question was met mostly with silence from this group of psychologists and neuroscientists. Zoom fatigue? I wondered. However, after sharing some of my own tactics, the conversation began to pick up. One researcher gave a great example of how, although they don’t do a lot of non-academic article writing, they find that engaging in science-related discussions on social media is one way to reach people outside of their academic circles. Another person brought up NerdNite, an event where researchers give short talks to a more general audience in an informal setting.

Science Writing Mentorship in the Time of COVID

10/29/2020

By Mari Gades

Years ago I started this blog so that I could learn how to write better for an audience that wasn’t mainly academics and scientists. I have to write for an academic audience every day as a graduate student (yearly reviews, papers, presentations, etc.) and what I really love about science is being able to share it with people who don’t know as much about it.

This summer, I heard about the National Association of Science Writers’ (NASW) Virtual Mentoring Program for undergraduate and graduate students, and signed up on a whim.

A lot of my favorite decisions have been “on a whim,” and this was no different. Ninety-eight undergraduate and graduate students were paired with volunteer mentors in the field of science communication (news writers, public relations for universities, etc). Over the course of the summer, we “met” as a large group online to go over the basics of how to choose a topic, write a pitch, and write/edit our news stories. I did not realize how much I needed someone to just TELL me the basics of science writing, rather than having to spend hours piecing it together myself from differing how-to sites on the internet.

Science Communication Needs To Go Beyond Communicating About the Physical World

10/22/2020

By: Vanya Bisht

A few mornings ago when I woke up in my bed, a shocking realization hit me: It is October already! Where did 2020 go? As I started scrolling through my social media timelines trying to gather the fragments that I might remember 2020 by, it became clear that 2020 is a year that I would want to both forget completely yet remember vividly for the major ways it has influenced my life.

I started 2020 with a new-found interest in science communication. My dissertation research at Arizona State University involved bringing together different ideas and perspectives to solve complex policy problems, and I saw science communication as a potential way to increase cross-disciplinary collaborations. As I explored the world of science communication, what I found instead was that it was heavily dominated by a singular perspective: that coming from the natural sciences. Most science education, science journalism and citizen science activities that I came across were communicating insights from one of the sub-fields of the natural sciences - telling me why I should be curious about anything from the stars and galaxies, rocks and birds, or what is happening inside my body.

Chloe Poston: Chemist Turned Communications Expert

10/10/2020

By: Cheyanne Lewis
@chylew

Chloe Poston, Diversity and Inclusion Practitioner and Science Communicator.

In celebration of #BlackinSciComm week, I had the opportunity to chat with Chloe Poston (@ChloePoston on Twitter), a Diversity and Inclusion Practitioner, Communications Expert, and Professional Development Coach. In addition to earning her Doctorate in Chemistry, she is committed to her diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work, and will share how she created a flourishing career doing what she loves, and how she aims to help #SciComm trainers advance their careers.

The Story of Dr. Theanne Griffith: A Look Behind the Scenes

10/9/2020

By: Cheyanne Lewis
@chylew

Dr. Theanne Griffith, Associate Professor at University of California Davis and author of the children’s book series The Magnificent Makers.

In celebration of #BlackinSciComm week, I interviewed Dr. Theanne Griffith (@doctheagrif on Twitter), Associate Professor at UC Davis and science communicator. Here, I will tell her story of how she turned her passions into a flourishing career, and how she quickly had to adapt from science writing to writing books for children.

From Landscapes to People: Leila’s Journey Through Higher Education

10/8/2020

By: Cheyanne Lewis
@chylew

Leila Joyce Seals, a current PhD student at the University of Kansas and creator of Blog of the LadyGeos. #RockyMountainsSelfie courtesy of Leila Joyce Seals.

In celebration of #BlackinSciComm week, I got to sit and chat (virtually) with Leila Joyce Seals (@GeoarchAndLush on Twitter), a geoarchaeology PhD candidate at the University of Kansas. I’m excited to share her journey as a science communicator, and how her experiences as a biracial woman have influenced her career and education.

Connecting the Stars in Saint Lucia

10/6/2020

By: Cheyanne Lewis
@chylew

Cheyenne Polius, Saint Lucian astrophysicist and co-founder of Saint Lucia National Astronomy Association.

In celebration of #BlackinSciComm week, I got to interview Cheyenne Polius (@CheyennePolius on Twitter), an astrophysicist and science communicator. Growing up in Saint Lucia, she moved to Sheffield, England to study physics and astrophysics. Her journey is unique, and I am excited to tell her story and how she plans to connect her home in the Caribbean to the rest of the universe.

Exploring Chipmunk Ecology as a Science Communicator and Activist

10/5/2020

By: Cheyanne Lewis
@chylew

Kwasi Wrensford, PhD candidate in the Department of Integrative Biology and the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology at the University of California Berkeley.

In celebration of #BlackinSciComm week, I interviewed Kwasi Wrensford (@kwasiscientific on Twitter), a behavioral ecologist and science communicator studying the behavioral ecology of chipmunks in response to rapid environmental change. Not only will I delve into his past as a lover of nature, but I will share his story on building community and his tips for self-care in the midst of social injustice.

The Adventures of N8ture AL

10/1/2020

By: Cheyanne Lewis
@chylew

Alex Troutman (a.k.a. N8ture AL), Wildlife Biologist and avid Science Communicator.

In celebration of #BlackinSciComm week, I had the opportunity to interview Alex Troutman, (@n8ture_al on Twitter), a wildlife biologist and graduate student who is currently studying seaside sparrow dynamics in tidal marshes. Having always had an affinity for nature and science education, he shares how a string of outreach opportunities helped turn his passion into a business, and how his experience as a Black man in academia has shaped his views on social justice.

Meet Cheyanne lewis, covering Blackinscicomm Week Spotlights

10/1/2020

The Science Talk blog is proud to welcome Cheyanne Lewis! Cheyanne is a guest writer who will cover science communicator spotlights throughout BlackInSciComm week. Check back every day between October 4 and October 10 as Cheyanne introduces science communicators and their work. Learn about their motivations, expertise, and hopes for the future of SciComm.

Cheyanne Lewis
@chylew

Hi everyone! I earned my B.S. in Neuroscience from Washington State University Vancouver. My research interests encompass the neurobiology of psychiatric disorders and biomarkers for postpartum depression. After my PhD, I plan to pursue a career in medical writing and science communication. In my free time, I like to drink coffee and discover new restaurants around the Seattle area.

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