Conference 2017: Practice in context
Heritage Auckland, Dec 4 and 5
Held in Auckland on 4-5 December 2017.
We are very excited about the 2017 conference which was held in the beautiful Heritage Hotel in Auckland. This year’s conference ran over two days, and showcased the best in science communication practice and research, both from New Zealand and abroad.
This year we took a turn to the doing of science communication with our theme of Practice in Context. How do we practice science communication? What does it mean to do science communication? What works when we practice science communication? And what doesn’t/ didn’t work? In what context do we do science communication?
SCANZ 2017 is a place to share our knowledge and experience about this and we welcomed proposals that spoke to this or related topics.
Submissions closed 2 July, 2017.
We also had two workshops led by our two keynotes as part of the conference. These highlighted the applied side of science communication practice.
Rooms were held at the Heritage Hotel for delegates to book direct. Details here!
plenary speakers announced
We are very pleased to announce some very special Keynotes for this year’s conference:
Kirsten Carlson
Kirsten has 21 years experience as a freelance illustrator and designer. Her education in biology and science communication, plus her ten years of experience in Print and Exhibit Design at Monterey Bay Aquarium gives Kirsten a powerful set of skills. Her enthusiasm for learning, and her scientific background in ornithology and marine science provide much of the inspiration for her work.
Plenary: Connecting Diverse Audiences to Science through Art
Humans have been using art much longer than language to communicate with others. Over time, art has evolved into a multi-faceted set of pathways that connect people with ideas, stories and knowledge. Science does exactly the same thing but language has become it’s primary path. And, unlike artists—whose audience is non-artists—scientists are typically in conversation with other scientists. And, in doing so, have developed a language that stops most non-scientists in their tracks. By utilizing the visual arts, specifically illustration and graphic design, science communicators can reach non-scientists in much the same way as artists reach non-artists. This presentation will explain why and how art can communicate science to non-scientists. And what kinds of art can be integrated with science. It is time for science to embrace art as an effective way to connect with non-scientists. You do not need to be an artist or artistic to attend.
Dr Craig Cormick
Craig has worked as a science communicator for several major organisations in Australia, including the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, CSIRO and Questacon. He is widely published on drivers of public attitudes towards new technologies. He has twice appeared in Best Australian Science Writing and edited the award-winning book Ned Kelly Under the Microscope (CSIRO Publications). In 2014 he was awarded the ASC’s Unsung Hero of Science Award.
Auckland image by Sids1 at http://flickr.com/photos/11803513@N06/1406449370