Science Communication

What is science communications? Science communication is the practice of informing and educating others on science-related topics. This can have important implications in society as science based evidence should be used to make public decisions when possible.

Browse some resources we’ve compiled below to learn more about science communication and how you can be part of science communications.

Courses:

• Science Communication Online Programme from Northwestern University
  • 8 week course that goes through writing, presentation, and illustration skills
  • https://ciera.northwestern.edu/programs/scope/
• World Federation of Science Journalists Science Journalism Course
  • Do at your own pace science writing course
  • http://www.wfsj.org/course/
• Science Writing Internship
  • Hosted by Laurier, 6 week writing course where you get feedback from the facilitators
  • https://www.sciencewritinginternship.com/about
• Science Journalism Master Class from The Open Notebook
  • https://www.theopennotebook.com/science-journalism-master-classes/
• International Summer Graduate School on Science Journalism
  • Not just writing but also podcasting, radio, etc.
  • https://www.concordia.ca/artsci/journalism/programs/journalism-studies.html#apply
• Introduction to Science Journalism
  • Hosted by UofT and The Globe and Mail
  • https://www.sgs.utoronto.ca/event/introduction-to-science-journalism-4-weeks/

Conferences:

• ComSciConCAN (National Canadian science communication conference):
  • This one is a great place to start and I would highly recommend this one for anyone who’s looking to learn more about science communication
  • https://comscicon.com/comsciconcan-2022
• Banff Science Communications Program
  • https://sparkscience.ca/science-communications
• SciCommTO from the Royal Canadian Institute of Science
  • https://www.rciscience.ca/scicommto-conference
• L’assemblée générale annuelle de l’association des communicateurs scientifiques du Québec
  • http://www.acs.qc.ca/activite/2143-congres-2021-de-l-acs.html
• Science Writers Conference from the National Association of Science Writers
  • https://www.nasw.org/article/sciencewriters2021-conference-transitioning-all-virtual-event

Volunteering:

• Writing for:
  • Massive Science
  • The Open Notebook
  • RCIScience
  • The Conversation
  • Science Borealis
  • SISTER (specifically STEM x gender minorities)
  • Lateral Magazine
• Presenting for:
  • Let’s Talk Science
  • RCIScience (Instagram Takeover)
  • Soapbox Science
  • Pint of Science
  • Story Collider 
  • Science Slam Canada
  • Exploring By The Seat (Connects classrooms for virtual field trips/lessons, etc.)

Sources of Funding:

• NSERC’s Science Communication Skills 

Other Resources:

• SciComm School Podcast from Cassidy Swanston at OttawaU
• Blog/Guide on Communicating Science With Social Media
• SciComm Collective which collects resources and helps sci-artists connect!
• Science Photography:
  • NSERC’s Science Exposed
  • Canadian Science Publishing Blog

Of course, there are also local opportunities at your own universities (e.g. writing a science-related article for your university’s paper or doing a radio show at your local station) and it’s never too early to try to submit pitches to larger institutions such as CBC, The Globe and Mail, etc. 

This page’s resources were based on a blog written by Farah. Check out the original page here.