Tag Archives: Outreach

Getting the message out

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How do you engage people with your science?

So you’re all over Twitter and Facebook and you even have a blog. Good on you – you’re your own public-relations and outreach specialist, getting the word out about your science. But what about the other kind of outreach – what’s still called science communication? Can you talk with a member of the press for an interview, or deliver your message to key thought leaders – such as government officials who decide on funding agencies’ annual budgets? Is it just a bit scarier than tweeting?

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

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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

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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 →

Reaching Out: Policy as an outreach activity

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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 will discuss how scientists can reach out of the ivory tower, 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 reach out to engage with the public. 

James Lush works in policy and public affairs at the Biochemical Society. As part of this role he co-organises the Science Question Time (#SciQT) and Talkfest (#talkfest) event series. He is also on the committee of Stempra (the Science, technology, engineering and medicine public relations association). Previously he worked briefly in a variety of press offices, focussing on science and medicine, after receiving a degree in Anatomy from the University of Glasgow. Continue reading →

Reaching Out: Science has a PR Problem

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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 will discuss how scientists can reach out of the ivory tower, 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 reach out to engage with the public. 

First up, scientist Kate Pratt, opens the discussion by explaining how science is often miscommunicated in the press and how this can sometimes lead to public misunderstandings. She raises the question of how scientists can reach everyone, making some suggestions for how to use successful PR strategies.  

Kaite Pratt is a graduate student in molecular biology at Brown University who will be defending her thesis at the end of June. She is leaving the bench to pursue a career in science communications and PR. She blogs regularly at https://www.katiephd.com, www.benchfly.com, and is co-founder of https://www.lookslikescience.tumblr.com.   Continue reading →