Engaging audiences in science
Encouraging our community to use science to solve problems with wide ranging impacts, such as climate change, is a key goal of science communication. These key science communication principles were discussed at a recent science communication panel session.
Social-science media
Social media continues to be a dominant news source for many, especially young people. Here are a few tips on maximising the impact of your science through social media from the experts.
The science of fishing
Barometers measure air pressure, which indicates weather conditions in the short term. Barometric pressure measures the weight of the atmosphere as it presses down on everything on Earth. It is one of the measurements fishers consider, because if affects fish. Air
Bean there? Join us at our favourite café
We’ve found that almost a third of our work comes from having coffee with people. With the COVID-19 vaccine rolling out and transmission case numbers remaining low, meeting in person near our city office has become possible in Melbourne again.
The Green Flash
The Green Flash is often considered a myth (you may have heard about it in the Pirates of the Caribbean movie). But it is actually a fascinating optics phenomenon. You can see the green flash anywhere in the world, at sunrise
Circular rainbows
When we think of a rainbow, we probably think of a colourful arch … possibly with a pot of gold at the end. But you may be surprised to learn that a rainbow is not an arch. Rainbows are actually
Civil disagreements
Having conversations with someone you don’t agree with can be difficult, exhausting and overwhelming. When discussing topics such as politics, religion or science, inevitably people will have different views. Here are six tips from the Business Insider experts on how
The science of coffee
I enjoy a cup of hot coffee to start my day, so I was intrigued to read about the science behind this morning ritual beverage (https://www.science.org.au/curious/people-medicine/brew-some-coffee-chemistry). The processes involved in making coffee all play an important role, affecting the chemical composition
Conservation days
Throughout the year there are days dedicated to an array of occasions and themes. There is everything from ‘world chocolate day’ (7 July) to ‘world day to combat desertification and drought’ (17 June). Some of these days are for fun,
Christmas cervines
Reindeer are a Christmas icon, but how much do we know about these cervines (deer-like creatures)? Here are some fun facts. Reindeer have 2 layers of coat. Their underneath layer is woolly and warm but the top layer of hairs
Having difficult conversations
Communication often involves a conversation, and sometimes those conversations are difficult. Back when I worked at CSIRO, I was fortunate that conversations were usually easy, but I did do a training course on how to have difficult conversations. I recall the
Why a brochure isn’t just an executive summary with pictures
We often prepare brochures based on detailed technical reports. One of our clients asked us what the difference was between the text in a brochure and that in a report’s executive summary. We discussed with them the many differences between brochures
Bee-autiful lawns
If you’re looking for a spring project that allows you to enjoy the sunshine and also support biodiversity, then look no further than your lawn! Bee benefits Bee lawns, or flowering lawns, are lawns that have grass and flowers. Flowers are the
Postcards from a pandemic
Julie Arblaster (Monash University), Colleen Boyle (RMIT), Ruth Morgan (Australian National University), Kate Phillips (Museums Victoria), Alicia Sometimes, Simon Torok (Scientell), Rachel Webster (University of Melbourne) How will people 50 years from now view the events of 2020, from bushfires, to
DIY science experiments at home
From Zap! Amazing science experiments, by Paul Holper and Simon Torok (ABC Books) Science is everywhere and what better time to enjoy an experiment or two from the comfort of our own homes – there’s something here for kids and adults alike! For
The Australian Government has style
Paul Holper Well, the Australian Government certainly has a style manual. If you need to know when to use an en dash or a hyphen, whether to add semicolons after bullet points, and whether an abbreviation list lives at the beginning
Webinar workshop wisdom
With COVID-19 leading to an increased use of webinars in place of face-to-face workshops, we’ve compiled a summary of our findings, recommendations and tips for using this technology. While being less engaging than meeting in person, if run well a webinar
10 entertaining science books
Paul Holper Science and technology lie at the heart of so much that is good about modern life. As researchers rush to create a COVID-19 vaccine, let’s begin with a chillingly prescient extract from Bill Bryson’s entertaining 2019 book The Body:
On Writing – Stephen King
By Paul Holper Despite being written 20 years ago, Stephen King’s book, ‘On writing: A memoir of the craft’, is an entertaining read and a great source of information. Someone who has sold more than 350 million books must know a
The science of communicating science
Looking for the ideal Christmas gift for a science communicator, budding or experienced, or for anyone interested in science and its applications and promotion? Look no further. Science communication guru Craig Cormick has distilled decades of his own experience and
Collaboration is key
by Bianca Le More than 30 of Melbourne’s science communicators gathered for lunch at the historic Royal Society of Victoria building, Scientell’s home base. A mix of clients, partners and colleagues – ranging from industry, academia and university – came to
15 days at Scientell
By Bianca Le Being a final year PhD student is tough. Despite the looming deadline, you begin to lose motivation and enthusiasm for the research project you spend every waking hour of the past three years thinking about. What didn’t wane,
The story of a budding science communicator – why I’m excited to share science
Late last year, I met Paul and Simon at the Royal Society of Victoria's celebration for the 50th anniversary of Earthrise, following which, they invited me to be a part of the Scientell team. I'm budding science communicator as well
Earthrise, a photo that changed the world
The following article first appeared in The Conversation on December 21, 2018 as a reflection on the past 50 years since the Earthrise was first captured by Apollo 8 astronauts. Authors: Simon Torok - Scientell Julie Arblaster - Associate Professor, Monash
The march of technology
Moore’s Law, named after Intel cofounder Gordon Moore, reflects his 1965 observation that computer transistors, or processors, were shrinking so fast that every year twice as many could fit onto a chip. These days, we’ve become accustomed to processors becoming smaller,
Ten top tips for working with consultants
Scientell’s clients have included all tiers of government; universities and research centres; industry and NGOs; academic associations and professional societies. Furthermore, before founding Scientell, Simon Torok and I worked at senior levels in science agencies where we contracted dozens of
Collaborate, motivate and activate communities
I recently completed a training course on how to engage communities, and you’d be surprised how a bit of structure in a discussion can help motivate people to take positive action to change the world. Community engagement encourages participation in the
Seven essential steps to effective communication
Scientell is a science and environment communication business. We take complex, often technical information and present it in a compelling way for audiences such as policy makers. The product could be a brochure, report, book, website, video, or a traditional
Plastic not fantastic
I’m a baby boomer. I grew up in the ‘60s. I remember the early morning clip-clop of the milkman’s horse. Each night my mum would leave out two or three empty bottles. The milkman would replace them with full bottles. We
Communicating Climate Change Internationally
The international climate change assessment body, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has launched a communication guide for scientists, put together by Climate Outreach — a UK-based team of social scientists and communication specialists focused on climate communication. The IPCC’s
When in doubt, cut it out: editing tips
Recently I edited a large, complex scientific report. As an editor, one of the first things you do is remove extraneous words. Why force a reader to read two or more words, when one will do? As I worked through the
20 Top Twitter (and social media) Tips
These pointers come from Twitter science social media stars @AstroKatie, @EuanRitchie1 and @astroduff who were panellists during an Innovation week event hosted by @miss_toni on 11 November 2016, at the Royal Society in Melbourne. Hash tags: #SciSocialites #innovationwk The advantage of Twitter is that you can engage
Writing in Nature, naturally
Scientell’s new home, the historic Royal Society of Victoria building, houses a stunning library that includes the first edition of the journal Nature. It’s clear that people communicated science in 1869 differently from now. The first research article in that first issue
Calendar photos bring ecology to life
Dingo puppies in the Great Sandy Desert (Pilbara Region), WA. Photo by Bradley Smith. The 2018 Ecology Society of Australia calendar features spectacular images of Australian flora, fauna, landscapes, coasts, skies and marine environments. Many disciplines contribute to ecology and ecosystem science,
Learning from failure
As part of a major national project on innovation, Scientell has examined the contribution that learning from error and failure can make to innovation and progress. This is part of our work with the Australian Council of Learned Academies (ACOLA)
Lead influencing crime, Ice drug contaminating homes, and other highlights from CleanUp2017
700 scientists, engineers, regulators and other environmental professionals from more than 20 countries have been in Melbourne this week at the biennial CleanUp global forum. CleanUp 2017, organised by the Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment
Winning, even if you don’t win (and we did)
Recently our company Scientell won the 2016–17 Monash Business Award in the Micro Business category. My co-Director, Simon Torok, said in his acceptance speech in front of a packed ballroom, ‘We were delighted to have been nominated for this award
Today Al Gore reminded me that when someone tells you something, do something
Ten years ago I saw the Al Gore film, An Inconvenient Truth. Driving home from the cinema that night, I passed a car with its headlights off – and flashed my headlights at them using the local language for ‘you’ve
Short-circuiting a superpower, city by city
The US is withdrawing from the Paris climate accord, but there are reassuring signs of action at a sub-nation scale. At the opening of the Ecocity World Summit being held in Melbourne this week, I heard a lot about the many environmental
Climate change and health: the future isn’t what it used to be
Climate change could have far‐reaching consequences for human health across the 21st century. But there is at least some good news on how health systems are adapting. ‘It doesn’t take an extreme weather event to have an extreme health impact,’ said
A safer, cleaner environmental future: the CRC CARE High School Essay Competition
Enter the CRC CARE High School Essay Competition with a 500- to 1000-word essay about contaminants in the environment (for a safer, cleaner environmental future) and you could win a great prize! Choose from two categories: * The Dr Roneal Naidu award
How to write a media release
Scientell prepared this summary for members of the Ecological Society of Australia, who have employed us to provide communication support and advice. Despite the rise of social media, writing and distributing a media release is still a very effective way of communicating
Everyone has a good story
I had the privilege of interviewing half a dozen of Australia’s newest ecologists this week, after more than $1 million in funds for students were announced by the Ecological Society of Australia. In speaking with just six of the 100 students
Being a mentor can feel like being a mentee – in a good way
Discussing the communication of scientific and technical information with the next generation, and influencing their thinking about it, is something I’d like to do for all students. As Director of the science communication company Scientell, I see it as vital
Rent, don’t buy?
When I was young, my parents always told me that if I wanted to buy something, I should save my money and pay for it outright. ‘Buy, don’t rent’, was their recommendation for procuring everything from a TV set to
On stones, mathematics and eschewing bad puns
Excluding patients with multiple titanium joint prostheses, the most common metal in the human body is calcium. This fact will assist in countless pub trivia competitions. Chemist Humphry Davy first isolated pure calcium in 1808 by electrolysis of limestone. He named
Book review: ‘Surviving the 21st Century: Humanity’s Ten Great Challenges and How We Can Overcome Them’
Australia has no better science writer than Julian Cribb. He is knowledgeable, extraordinarily well informed and superbly adept at presenting accurate, fascinating information in a way that just begs to be read. His latest book is Surviving the 21st Century: Humanity’s Ten Great
Movin’ on up to cooler climes
Climate change impacts on the natural world are accelerating rapidly. ‘Many plants and animals are proving to be highly sensitive to the changes in climate we have experienced over the last few decades’ says Professor Lesley Hughes from Macquarie University. Lesley says
Is there a doctor on this flight?
Scientell is working with the Australian Council of Learned Academies (ACOLA) to synthesise a wealth of information into a book on securing Australia’s future. As part of this, we have examined the contribution that learning from error and failure can
Robot servants: lending a metal hand
Robots are ideally placed to help with future housework, since they can perform repetitive tasks without becoming bored. Since the 1927 film Metropolis, robots have lent a helping hand to humans in many science fiction movies, such as Star Wars, Wall-E
Faster food: 3D print your dinner
You arrive home from school, hungry for a snack. You feel like something different; not the usual food your fridge and pantry automatically order based on what you normally eat. So you search for a treat on the internet, find
Sky highway
Flying cars are considered to signal the arrival of the future – or rather, the lack of its arrival. They have been promised by inventors for decades, and always seem to be just around the corner, but have never become
Eternity: could we ever become immortal?
People now live longer than ever before. A girl born in Australia today can expect to live for about 84 years, but a girl born in the late 1800s was expected to live for just 54 years. We owe this improvement
Climate of change
Ice and heat are enemies. As the world warms, the ice on the land melts. Most glaciers are in retreat, with their water gushing into the sea. This makes the sea level rise. Add the expansion of the oceans, which
Can we become invisible?
We all love the idea of being able to creep around, watching people without them knowing, eavesdropping on conversations. Think of all the fun you could have if, at the snap of a finger, you could become invisible. Lots of books
Imagining the future: a guide to the incredible inventions just over the horizon
We are living in a rapidly changing world – when most of today’s primary school students grow up, they’ll have jobs that don’t exist right now, and they’ll be using technologies that haven’t been invented, to solve things we
Help! Lending a hand to vulnerable species
Global hotspots, such as the waters southeast of Australia, have warmed dramatically and dozens of marine animals have moved south. Many others need our help. Dr Alistair Hobday, from CSIRO, says these sea temperature changes are clear – not only in
Ouch! Feeling the record heat
Last summer, temperatures around the world showed an unusual upward spike. Globally, February was more than a degree warmer than usual, breaking the record set in 2015 that had itself broken the record set in February 2014. A stable climate
Innovation and Australian inventions
Australians are great inventors. We have a history of ideas and thinking up new ways of doing things. Perhaps our inventiveness comes from the fact we have unique problems. Or maybe it’s our geographic isolation: in the past, if we
The value of local knowledge
When a coastal town faces increased flooding, what comes next must come from the community. The most important thing for Councils when planning adaptation to climate change is to identify the risk to people, and then work with the community to
CoastExchange: Another brick in the seawall
Scientell is proud to be helping the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF) launch their online discussion about coastal adaptation, CoastExchange. You can sign up at https://connect.coastadapt.com.au/. The purpose of this virtual community of adaptors is to provide a forum in
The greatest discovery since fire
Adapted from Torok, S.J., and Holper, P.N. (2006) Inventing millions: 25 Inventions that changed the world. 224 pp., ABC Books. ‘The greatest thing since sliced bread,’ is an accolade often bestowed on an invention. However, it never seems to surpass the actual
How to create a blog that everyone will truly love
This blog is competing for your attention with more than 152 million others. Nearly 173,000 blogs are added to the Internet ever day. There are now four more than when you started reading this. That’s according to the Journal of Applied
9 things that I learnt in my first year of business
This article was first published on the Flying Solo web site, a site for small business. In 2014, after 25 years at CSIRO, I established my own science communication business. Now, some 12 months later, here are some of the things that
The 60-second guide to world water
Written by Paul Holper The ocean covers 71 per cent of the Earth’s surface and contains almost 97 per cent of the planet’s water. But only 2.5 per cent of Earth’s water is freshwater, and just a fraction (1.2 per cent)
Observations on observers
Written by Simon Torok With hundreds of climate scientists meeting in Melbourne this week for the Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society conference, it is worth reflecting that climate research owes a great debt to voluntary weather observers who, through their careful documentation
New climate change brochures for Victoria
Recently we worked with the Victorian Government to prepare a series of regional brochures explaining the likely impacts of climate change and describing how best to adapt. This project was a collaboration with Karen Pearce of Bloom Communication and Rohan Hamden & Associates. The 8-page brochures
Cli-Fi: cautionary tales to prompt action
Written by Simon Torok Cli-fi, or climate fiction, also known as Eco-fiction, is a relatively new genre of literature that sets narratives in an often dystopian world affected by climate change. I love it because fiction can be used to convey
The psychology of communication: Here and how; not gloom and doom
Written by Paul Holper Science organisations want to explain their work to increase impact and use of results. Scientists know that science is important and would like others to feel the same. They also realise, that science that no one knows
Communicating to a young audience
Ever since the early 1700s, when the first books for young people were written by authors including John Newbery, Thomas Boreman, and Thomas and Mary Cooper, communicators have endeavoured to target young audiences with specific products. Non-fiction writing for young people
How to attract research funding
This article was first published in the April 2015 issue of BAMOS Communication serves many purposes, including helping to attract research funding. This funding can come from government (federal, state and local), business, philanthropic funds and international sources. If you are to be
10 tips for great public speaking
If I could just say a few words…I’d be a better public speaker. Homer Simpson Captivate, compel and communicate clearly next time you give a talk. Here are 10 tested steps to help you become a better presenter, and to truly do
Beginners guide to editing
For starters, there’s editing and editing. And editing. Three forms really: substantive, copy and proofing. For most clients, ‘editing’ means copy editing. That is, reading through a document and checking that it makes sense and reflects what the writer probably meant. Copy editing