Science communication workshop

A three hour session for early career researchers and PhD students.

When: March 9, 2pm to 5pm (with fifteen minute break)

Where: R201, Michie Building (#9), University of Queensland, St Lucia

Topics to be covered include:

• How to pitch your research in 100 words
• The changing face of the media
• Building an online profile and working effectively with the media 
• Developing your own style, including voice, mannerisms, analogies
• Using new media to best effect (including how avenues like Scimex and The Conversation  can be used to build your online profile)

Registration for this event is now closed. If you have any questions, please contact equs.engagement@uq.edu.au. 

Susannah Elliot

Susannah is the CEO of the AusSMC and has many years of experience working at the interface between the research community, the mainstream media and the public. She will discuss the benefits for researchers of building an online profile using a new engagement tool for experts called the Science Media Exchange (Scimex).

Lyndal Byford

After completing an Honours degree in Biotechnology, Lyndal joined the Shell Questacon Science Circus and promoted science throughout regional Australia. She completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Science Communication and went on to work at a range of science museums and as a specialist representative within the pharmaceutical industry. Moving to the UK in 2005, Lyndal co-ordinated the education programs at the Grant Museum of Zoology before joining the UK Science Media Centre as engineering press officer in 2006. She returned to Australia in November 2007 to take up the Media Manager role at the Australian Science Media Centre. Lyndal regularly speaks at public forums on science media relations and has written for publications including Crikey, ABC, and News Corp Australia. Lyndal was also a member of Inspiring Australia’s Science and the Media Expert working group for the Federal Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.

About the Australian Science Media Centre

The AusSMC is an independent service for the news media, working with journalists to help them cover science, as well as identify the science angles in everyday news stories. The centre also works with the scientific community to help them interact more effectively with the media and ensure that their voices are heard on issues of national importance. Over 1,300 journalists have proactively registered with the AusSMC and close to 5,000 scientists are on their database. More information on the AusSMC and Scimex is available at smc.org.au and Scimex.org

The AusSMC believes scientists can make a big impact on the way issues are covered in specialised and mass media outlets but only by engaging more often, more quickly and more effectively with the stories that are influencing public attitudes.