After a break in July for the summer, it’s time to share some details of the latest Science Online NYC. SoNYC is a monthly discussion series for anyone based in, or around, New York who’s interested in how science is carried out and communicated online. Each month we invite a panel of experts in a particular area to tell us in 5-10 minutes what the latest developments are in their field or to whet our appetites for a debate with a provocative thesis. We then open up the conversation to the in-person audience as well as those watching via our Livestream channel and commenting on Twitter and enjoy a lively discussion and the chance to make new friends afterwards.
The topic for discussion in August is:
Reaching the niches: connecting underrepresented groups with science
How do we reach and connect groups that are underrepresented in science? Women, minorities, and researchers in developing economies often face challenges when integrating into the scientific community. It can also be difficult for researchers with a niche interest to find and support each other. Groups such as teens often fail to view science as interesting or significant in its own right and have poor access to reliable, engaging scientific content. Our panel will take a look at how minority networks form and develop both online and off, and discuss targeted efforts to reach communities that are underrepresented or disinterested in science.
The Panel:
• Khadijah Britton is the founder of BetterBio, a nonprofit focused on helping minority communities connect with science.
• Meghan Groome is director of the NY Academy of Science’s K-12 Education and Science & the City programs.
• Dhiraj Murthy is an assistant professor at Bowdoin College, where he studies the use of social media tools within minority communities.
• Nancy Parmalee, a graduate student at Columbia University, will talk about how forming online communities have advanced her research.
The event will take place on Wednesday 24th August from 7pm at Rockefeller University (Weiss 305 – location 25 on this map), later adjourning to the Faculty and Students Club on-campus bar.
You can find us online at the following places: Twitter: @S_O_NYC hashtag: #sonyc Facebook: SoNYC page
Please let us know if you’re planning to come by signing up via our Eventbrite page as it helps to ensure we have the right sized room and enough for everyone to drink.
Themed blog posts
In order to prepare everyone for the upcoming dialogue, here on Of Schemes and Memes we will be exploring the world of the minority scientist or the scientist/science communicator that wants to reach out to other minorities. If you would like your project or your personal experiences to be featured, please do get in touch.
If you have any questions about this month’s event or would like to be added to our mailing list, do send Lou an email (l.woodley@nature.com).
Hope to see you in August!
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