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
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
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
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
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
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
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