21 May 2019
By Karien Joubert
The field of science communication is a relatively new feature on the South African research landscape. As such, many researchers may still regard it as somewhat ‘uncharted territory;’ filled with potential dangers and uncertainties. Recently, however, 48 adventurous individuals from 15 countries embarked on a new online journey into the world of public science communication, also known as ‘scicomm’.
This diverse group of travellers undertook this journey (via an interactive online course) because they recognise the need to engage public audiences in dialogue about issues rooted in science, and they are committed to mastering the required skills. Their journey commenced on Monday 6 May 2019 with a consideration of what #scicomm means in the 21st Century and why it is vital in the current research environment. This journey is specifically designed for newcomers to the field of science communication and considers interesting questions like how to communicate science in new and creative ways and how to navigate the relationship between research and the media.
Over the next six weeks, these travellers will have the opportunity to network and learn from each other, guided by seasoned travellers Dr Marina Joubert and Dr Lars Guenther. We wish all the #scicomm travellers of 2019 a rich, pleasant and rewarding journey!
The #scicomm online course has been an annual feature of the CREST calendar for a number of years. Read more about the course structure. Send an email to Rolene (rlm@sun.ac.za) if you’re interested to travel with us in 2020.