Reaching Out: Science Cafés are great. At least, I think so.

Science Online New York (SoNYC) encourages audience participation in the discussion of how science is carried out and communicated online. To tie in with June’s event which looks at how scientists reach out of the ivory tower, communicating science to the public, we’re hosting a series of guest posts on Soapbox Science. We will hear from a range of contributors: scientists, writers, enthusiasts, communicators, events organizers, policy makers and teachers, each sharing details about how they engage and reach out to the public.

Laura Walker is a biological research scientist in the School of Clinical Sciences at the University of Bristol. She spends her days trying to improve lung function during heart surgery, and her spare time communicating science by running Bristol’s monthly Science Café at the Tobacco Factory. Laura is currently studying for an MSc in Science Communication at UWE, and is passionate about facilitating academics and other researchers in their public engagement activities. Continue reading

Reaching Out: The Café Scientifique Movement

Science Online New York (SoNYC) encourages audience participation in the discussion of how science is carried out and communicated online. To tie in with June’s event which looks at how scientists reach out of the ivory tower, communicating science to the public, we’re hosting a series of guest posts on Soapbox Science. We will hear from a range of contributors: scientists, writers, enthusiasts, communicators, events organizers, policy makers and teachers, each sharing details about how they engage and reach out to the public.

Ann Grand runs the café scientifique website (www.cafescientifique.org) and supports the network of existing and budding café organisers in whatever ways she can and wherever they happen to live. She started the Bristol (UK) Science Café in 2003 and attends it regularly. She has given presentations about the Café Scientifique movement at international conferences and workshops. Continue reading