Description
Clarity and cut-through in science communication
We work in a crowded and fast-moving information landscape. In this environment, STEM communicators are increasingly challenged to ensure their messages are heard, understood, and trusted.
Join us for a panel discussion exploring the challenges of communicating big, complex issues. Whether the topic is climate, energy, nutrition, health, technology or regional transitions, effective public communication that achieves cut-through requires clarity, credibility and adaptability.
This session will unpack strategies for landing your message, navigating contested and complex communication environments, working with multiple channels, and avoiding unproductive engagement, while keeping audiences informed and connected on issues that matter to their lives and communities.
Aligned with this year’s National Science Week theme, Seeds of Science: Nurturing knowledge for all, this discussion will explore how we can plant, nurture and share knowledge in ways that build understanding and connection in a complex information environment.
This event is proudly delivered in partnership with the University of Newcastle’s College of Engineering, Science and Environment.
Who should attend
University staff and students, high school students, industry, and community are welcome to attend (in person or online).
Event format
Facilitated panel discussion led by Dr Jessica Allen. Speakers to be announced soon.
Finding your way
This event will be hosted at the University of Newcastle's Callaghan Campus, with an option to join online via Zoom. A code for free parking will be issued in advance. A campus map can also be downloaded here
Accessibility
Please get in touch to discuss any concerns or for further information about access to the venue - very happy to assist.
Lineup
Jessica Allen
Dr Jessica Allen has a multidisciplinary background spanning both chemical engineering and chemistry, as well as extensive experience as a STEM communicator and event facilitator. She has worked in both industry and academia on projects spanning fundamental research to commercial design. Dr Allen completed her undergraduate degree in chemical engineering at the University of Newcastle before taking up a PhD in chemistry with the CSIRO Energy Centre, Newcastle. After completing her PhD, focused on solar thermal hydrogen production, Dr Allen accepted an industry position as a project/research engineer with start-up bioenergy technology company Pacific Pyrolysis. Dr Allen returned to academia in 2013, taking up a post-doctoral position with the University of Newcastle in the Applied Electrochemistry group. Dr Allen was then appointed in 2017 as a lecturer in Chemical Engineering at the University of Newcastle, and as a principal researcher for the Priority Research Centre for Frontier Energy Technologies and Utilisation. In 2021 she was awarded and Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Research Award specialising in integration of carbon electrolysis for carbon capture and utilisation as well as solar thermal manufacturing processes.
Bonnie McBain
Every minute counts as we navigate our region through a post-climate future. We need the expertise of everyone if we are to achieve a desirable outcome without leaving anyone behind. As a complexity scientist and educator, Associate Professor Bonnie McBain’s work focuses on helping diverse stakeholders respond to complex societal and environmental challenges. Her expertise spans systems thinking, participatory decision-making, sustainability, and transdisciplinary collaboration, with a strong emphasis on translating complex evidence into meaningful tools for decision-making and action. Bonnie has led large-scale co-design and stakeholder engagement processes involving government, industry, researchers, communities, students, and Indigenous partners, creating inclusive approaches to addressing complex STEM issues. As a recognised educational leader, Bonnie sees her most important role as one supporting new leaders to navigate complexity, engage diverse perspectives, and contribute to informed decision-making in an increasingly complex world.
Jodan Perry
Jodan Perry is a Worimi man from Karuah who has returned to the University of Newcastle after graduating with a Bachelor of Communication and spending more than a decade in the Australian News Media. Jodan is currently a lecturer at the Wollotuka Institute and a PhD candidate looking at the ways Indigenous Knowledge Systems can guide how we learn about evolving technology, like GenAI. In his time at UON Jodan has used his media production skills to redesign a number of courses to centre the Wollotuka Cultural Standards, lived-experience and relational pedagogies.
Sarah Aubrey
Sarah Aubrey is one of Australia’s most respected electrification advocates. She is a pure force of nature when it comes to sharing and simplifying the facts about accessible, clean energy and electric cars. A masterful storyteller and professionally trained voice over actor, Sarah captures the heart of every message with ease and a touch of humour. It’s this down to earth approach that has drawn a legion of loyal followers from across the globe to her social media channels Electrify This.
Dr Emma Beckett
Emma Beckett is a food and nutrition scientist who isn't just interested in creating new knowledge, and understanding how food impacts our bodies. Emma is passionate about how our bodies impact the foods we choose and how it is used, and how people understand and seek nutrition information. Emma has appeared on ABC News, Today, ABC for kids, and ABC & commercial TV/radio, and writes for ABC online, newspapers, magazines & various websites including the conversation. Emma has a passion for science communication, the honest use of science in marketing and empowering people to critically assess the information they are given about nutrition in the media. In her research Emma is interested in personalised nutrition, how environment and genes impact diets, food choices, working with human biology to improve vegetable intakes and nutrition communication. Emma has experience in immunology, microbiology, epidemiology, nutrition, genetics and epigenetics, and holds a Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (Honours in Immunology & Microbiology), a Graduate Certificate in Human Nutrition, a Graduate Diploma in Clinical Epidemiology, a Masters of Science Management and a PhD in Food Science (Nutrition).
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