SCANZ 2023 scholarship recipients
Congratulations to the six recipients of scholarships to attend our SCANZ 2023 conference, held 16-17 November in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington.
Ngā mihi nui to the New Zealand’s Biological Heritage National Science Challenge for supporting a travel scholarship, and to SCANZ members whose support allows us to extend this opportunity to our up-and-coming science communicators.
Max Balloch
Max Balloch is a non-fiction writer, primarily in the audio essay format. Max’s podcast, and wider creative project, 86b explores any topic that comes to mind, from Science and History, to Philosophy and Music. 86b won Best Independent Podcast, and came runner up in Best Entertainment at the NZ Podcast Awards 2022. Max has created podcast episodes for Radio New Zealand, and The University of Otago. He will graduate from his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Science Communication this year. He aims to make 86b a project that fully encapsulates what it is like to be creative and curious within this universe. Max’s work can be found at www.86b.org
Rina Diane Caballar
Rina Diane Caballar is a freelance journalist, copy editor, and content writer. She covers tech and its intersections with science, society, and the environment. She's a software engineer by training but a writer by passion, and she left the tech world to pursue writing full-time. She moved to Aotearoa from the Philippines and now calls Te Whanganui-a-Tara home. You can find her at rinacaballar.com or @rinadianewrites on Twitter and @rinadiane.bsky.social on Bluesky.
Sahir Hussain
I recently submitted my PhD in neuroscience and throughout my education, I felt that science does a miserable job of being accessible. Science is fun and it is important but much of it is hidden behind technical jargon and pay-walls. Therefore, I eventually started a podcast, titled Smooth Brain Society, where I record interviews with experts and publish them online. The interviews cover everything from basic concepts to experimental results, all in ways which are accessible to someone who has never been part of the field. My aim is to make science accessible while trying to humanize those doing the mahi behind the scenes.
Aislinn Mirsch
Aislinn Mirsch is a German American student in the department of science communication at the University of Otago. While this sadly may be the final master’s cohort of the programme, she is encouraged by this wonderful opportunity to attend the 2023 SCANZ conference and meet other folks in this growing field. Aislinn can also be found playing nerdy boardgames, tramping along rivers, and on stage with their local improv troupe. Some of their current projects include co-producing a documentary on axolotls and developing an audio story on repatriation of ancestral remains from German museums back to their communities of origin in Aotearoa and Rēkohu.
Averill Moser-Rust
Averill Moser-Rust, a dedicated science communicator, is currently pursuing a PhD in animal behaviour. She's deeply involved in science communication, earning recognition for her outstanding presentations, including the "Best Student Lightning Talk" at the Australasian Society for the Study of Animal Behavior conference and "Best Oral Presentation by a PhD Student" at the University of Canterbury School of Biological Sciences Annual Biology Conference. Averill's talent for crafting compelling and accessible content was further showcased when she won the Canterbury local Visualise Your Thesis competition. In her role as a children's science presenter for Nanogirl Labs, she focuses on making science accessible and igniting a passion for scientific exploration in the younger generation. Averill's diverse life experiences and dedication to inclusivity enable her to offer a unique and impactful perspective on science communication.
Hannah Savage
After studying physical geography and communications at the University of Otago and University of Melbourne, I became invested in tying together my creative skills with my passion for environmental sciences. I have written articles on urban green spaces and climate for The Lovepost, an online platform that offers positive solutions to global issues. Currently at Waikato Regional Council, I have worked in communication roles at government organisations in New Zealand and Australia. Outside of this, I exhibit my landscape paintings and connect with other creatives in my community to collaborate on environment-focused projects.