Perth's science communication network was once again given the opportunity to come together, share ideas and reflect on recent projects at the Communicate to Inspire 2022 (Comm2Inspire 2022) conference on Friday 24 June. Organised and delivered by the Australian Science Communicators WA (ASC-WA) committee the conference aimed to highlight contemporary science communication research and examples of best practice happening in WA and provide a space for networking.
Comm2Inspire targeted people studying, working, or interested in science communication or community engagement with science in Western Australia. Representatives from over 30 organisations, including Curtin, ECU, UWA, ICRAR, freelance journalists, Perth Zoo, Scitech, Science in Public and the WA Museum joined the conference. ASC-WA are working to increase the knowledge shared with regional science communicators, to support this initiative they received an IWA STEM Grant to allow for professional live-streaming of the day. Key participants from regional WA, including the Northern Agricultural Catchments Council, Scinapse, and Pollinators Inc were in attendance.
Presentations ranged from a Reporting on Science panel discussion with journalists - moderated by Science in Public, to communicating with efficacy and ethics, to who's best suited to share science news (News flash: Scientists are still perceived to be the most trustworthy source). On behalf of each of the presenters ASC-WA donated to Deadly Science - an organisation committed to providing STEM resources to remote community schools.
Held at the scenic Herdsman Lake Discovery Centre - operated by WA Gould League, a local not-for-profit organisation - participants had the chance to take a guided tour of the lake, learn about the various conservation efforts going on in the vicinity.
Feedback on the event was overwhelmingly positive with participants highlighting the opportunity to learn from peers, networking, and being inspired by presentations as thier key takeaways.
“Learning about what other science communicators in WA (and around Australia) are doing (and why!) and the chance to meet and discuss further with them”
“Hearing from people from different science communications both in presentations and in networking was excellent.”
“I think the keynote by the Gould league which helped me get inspired about scicom again and remember why I got into this field.”