Science communication resources

A useful repository of materials and courses about communicating science.

Awards

Societies, Associations and Centres

Aotearoa New Zealand

Australia

  • Australian Science Communicators
    A diverse national association, including scientists, teachers, journalists, writers, entertainers, students and other communicators who engage Australians (and people overseas) with science, technology and innovation. The Australian Science Communicators (ASC) supports and represents those who make science accessible.

  • The Conversation
    The Conversation is an independent source of news and views, sourced from the academic and research community and delivered direct to the public. Our aim is to allow for better understanding of current affairs and complex issues. And hopefully allow for a better quality of public discourse and conversations.

  • Science in Public
    A science communication company based in Melbourne, Australia.

  • Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science 
    The Centre’s mission is to encourage a confident democratic ownership of modern science nationally and internationally by increasing science awareness in the community, fostering public dialogue about science, and improving the communication skills of scientists.

  • Inspiring Australia
    This website shares ideas and stories of success from the Australian science community – which includes researchers, science communicators and educators – as well as events and prize opportunities from around the country.

    It is an initiative from the Inspiring Australia strategy, which was developed by the Australian Government to increase engagement and interest in the sciences.

  • Rewired
    ScienceRewired’s mission is to connect science communicators, educators, innovators and young scientists to help facilitate the sharing of new ideas, knowledge and science for good.

  • RiAus (Australia's Science Channel) 
    RiAus is Australia’s national science channel, promoting public awareness and understanding of science. At RiAus we make science fun, inspiring and accessible. RiAus produces thought-provoking and entertaining events, broadcasts and publications as well as education and teacher support programs. RiAus – discover the wonders of science.

  • MISE Network (Nanoscale Informal Science Education)
    The NISE Network is a national community of researchers and informal science educators dedicated to fostering public awareness, engagement, and understanding of nanoscale science, engineering, and technology. Nisenet.org is an online digital library of public nano educational products and tools designed for educators and scientists.

United Kingdom

  • British Science Association
    Advancing the public understanding, accessibility and accountability of the sciences and engineering in the UK.

  • Science Media Centre
    Mission is to provide, for the benefit of the public and policymakers, accurate and evidence-based information about science and engineering through the media, particularly on controversial and headline news stories when most confusion and misinformation occurs.

  • The Royal Society
    A self-governing Fellowship of many of the world’s most distinguished scientists drawn from all areas of science, engineering, and medicine. Our mission is to recognise, promote, and support excellence in science and to encourage the development and use of science for the benefit of humanity.

  • Wellcome Trust
    A global charitable foundation dedicated to improving health by supporting bright minds in science, the humanities and social sciences, and public engagement.

  • Government Office for Science
    We ensure that government policies and decisions are informed by the best scientific evidence and strategic long-term thinking.

  • Department for Business Innovation Skills
    BIS is the department for economic growth. The department invests in skills and education to promote trade, boost innovation and help people to start and grow a business.

  • Research Councils UK
    Responsible for investing public money in research in the UK to advance knowledge and generate new ideas which lead to a productive economy, healthy society and contribute to a sustainable world.

  • The Royal Institution
    An independent charity dedicated to connecting people with the world of science.

  • The Royal Academy of Engineering
    Provides leadership and promotes excellence across all fields of engineering, to the benefit of society.

  • The National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts
    Nesta is an innovation charity with a mission to help people and organisations bring great ideas to life. We are dedicated to supporting ideas that can help improve all our lives, with activities ranging from early stage investment to in-depth research and practical programmes.

  • Sense about Science
    A UK charitable trust that helps people make sense of scientific and medical claims in public discussion.

Canada

  • Canadian Science Media Centre
    A registered charitable organization that supports journalists writing about the sciences, engineering and technology.

  • Canadian Science Writers Association
    A national association that includes media professionals, communications officers in science and technology institutions, technical writers and educators 

China

  • China Research Institute for Science Popularization (CRISP)
    CRISP devotes itself to fundamental science affair studies and pursues its goal in the interest of public good. Its principal objects emphasize: both theoretical and applicable researches in regard of science popularization as well as parallel studies of equals concerned between China and other countries.

USA

Global

Research and Publications

Journals

  • Science Communication
    Published bi-monthly, is an international, interdisciplinary social science journal that examines the nature of expertise, the diffusion of knowledge, and the communication of science and technology among professionals and to the public.

  • Journal of Science Communication
    JCOM is an open access journal on science communication. Since the world of communication and the scientific community are now undergoing a rapid and uncertain transition, JCOM wants to provide some theoretical guidelines both for scholars and practitioners in the field of public communication of science and technology.

  • Public Understanding of Science 
    A fully peer reviewed, quarterly international journal covering all aspects of the inter-relationships between science (including technology and medicine) and the public. Topics Covered Include: popular representations of science, scientific and para-scientific belief systems, science in schools, history of science, education of popular science, science and the media.

  • Science, Technology and Human Values
    STHV is a peer-reviewed, bi-monthly, international, interdisciplinary journal containing research, analyses and commentary on the development and dynamics of science and technology, including their relationship to politics, society and culture. The journal provides you with work from scholars in a diverse range of disciplines across the social sciences.

Books

  • Bennett, D. J., Jennings, R. C., & Bodmer, W. (2011). Successful Science Communication: Telling It Like It Is: Cambridge University Press.

  • Brake, P. M. L., & Weitkamp, E. (2009). Introducing Science Communication: A Practical Guide: Palgrave Macmillan.

  • Schiele, B., Claessens, M., & Shi, S. (2012). Science Communication in the World: Practices, Theories and Trends: Springer.

  • Stocklmayer, S. M., & Bryant, C. R. (2001). Science Communication in Theory and Practice: Springer Netherlands.

  • Wilson, A. (1998). Handbook of Science Communication: CRC Press.

Popular Press

Presentations

Public Education

Websites

  • Science Learning Hub
    Science Learning Hub provides teaching resources for primary and secondary schools, linking current science in Aotearoa New Zealand to the school curriculum. Watch scientists in action via the short video clips, find out what questions are being asked, and explore some of the key ideas. There are free, quality assured teaching resources to support school science learning. 

Interactive/Exhibit

Biennial Events

  • New Zealand International Science Festival Dunedin
    The International Festival of the Environment Science and Technology Dunedin New Zealand Incorporated is a not-for-profit charitable organisation established to achieve the following aims. To celebrate and promote education and research in the fields of science, the environment, and technology, and to foster awareness of the contributions which scientific, technological, and environmental endeavours make to society with particular emphasis on the excellence of the achievements in these fields attained in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Society, through the events and festivals it stages, is a catalyst to encourage all organisations (educational, research, business and community) and individuals to participate in the promotion of their work in science and its applications and contributions to society.

  • New Zealand IceFest Christchurch
    NZ IceFest highlights Aotearoa New Zealand’s leadership in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. This unique Christchurch festival focuses the world’s attention to the importance of the mysterious continent and its surrounds.Through creative and interactive experiences the Festival brings Antarctica to the general public, the Antarctic community and international visitors.

Social Media

Twitter

#scichatNZ - a collaboration between Science educators, with a mission to ensure Science education in Aotearoa New Zealand is engaging, relevant and fun for 21st century learners. Science educators meet online to discuss a topic voted for by them to share ideas, resources and inspiration. @scichatNZ

#SciCommNZ  - We are a community of scientists, science communicators and science educators who meet on Twitter to discuss how science is being communicated in Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond.