Identity politics has permeated vaccine hesitancy, opinions on climate change, and society’s response to the COVID-19 virus. We are living in a moment in history where identity politics is playing its most prominent role in scientific conversations.  
 
Science Talk’s Dr. Allison Coffin and Dr. Kiki Sanford sat down with Jessica McNellis from s2s Public Relations and Communications to discuss how a person’s political party can influence his or her scientific beliefs. ​

​Reflecting on the fifth annual Science Talk Conference that wrapped in March, we were surprised at the emphasis around empathy in science communications in multiple keynotes, panels and industry workshops. Coming off a year when the value of science communication has never hit closer to home, we decided it was worth discussing more.
 
Science Talk’s Dr. Allison Coffin and Dr. Kiki Sanford sat down with Jessica McNellis from s2s Public Relations and Communications to discuss why empathy in science communications matters.

More than ever before, diversity and inclusion is taking center stage in every discussion happening within organizations, workforces, leadership teams, board rooms, classrooms, you name it. It is no different in the science community. While the science communications industry in itself is female dominated, often the influential voices gaining recognition in the space are still white males. Outside of gender, the lack of amplified voices from other cultures, races, ethnicities, and sexual orientations are even more limited.
 
Science Talk’s Dr. Allison Coffin and Dr. Kiki Sanford sat down with Jessica McNellis from s2s Public Relations and Communications to discuss the importance of diversity and inclusion in the future of science communications. 

​By Cheyanne Lewis
 @chylew

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.

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.

If you’re not following @BlackInSciComm yet, we invite you to head over to Twitter and do so! We’ll wait...

Organized by @ravenscimaven, #BlackInSciComm week is October 4 - 10 and the SciTalk blog is getting ready to publish some great interviews with Black science communicators.

Feel free to pitch relevant stories by emailing blog@sciencetalk.org. We’re looking for material for well past October 10th as well.

Also be sure to follow @BlackInSTEMEd. #BlackinSTEMEducation Week is September 27 - October 3.

​By Karmela Padavic-Callaghan; @Ironmely ​

“What does physics have to do with police brutality?” physicist Prof. Philip W. Phillips asked in his opening remarks during an American Physical Society (APS) webinar on making physics inclusive and equitable. The rest of the panelists, all Zoom tiles taking up my computer screen, featured familiar faces from the world of physics advocacy, including the APS President-Elect Prof. S. James Gates, Jr. The moderator was Prof. Lisa Randall, a physicist with significant public presence in her own right, and the event was co-sponsored by four other professional societies focused on physics. Physicists tuned in in thousands. ​