The SciComm Collective

The SciComm Collective

How do we tell science stories - and why?  The SciComm Collective digs into the social conversation around science through discussions and interviews with experts, amateurs, alumni, and more. Join us to learn about science communication skills, careers, and practices... and stay for the new ideas and fresh, diverse perspectives from student voices. www.thescicommcollective.com Created and run by science communication students at The University of Western Australia.

  1. Voices in our heads: Explaining the science of self-handicapping

    1d ago

    Voices in our heads: Explaining the science of self-handicapping

    “Next time you find yourself avoiding the work you should be doing, remember: your values hold the key to success.” – Tom Carbery Are you ever so worried about failing at something that you actively seek out other activities to do instead… and then ‘blame’ those as the reason you fail? You might be 'self-handicapping'. On this episode, UWA psychology student Tom Carbery shares his mini-podcast about self-handicapping with our host, Emma. They discuss how self-sabotaging behaviours can affect academic performance, the psychology behind maladaptive coping strategies, and the importance of self-affirmation. Tom also shares his creative process: why he chose the topic, how he aimed to reduce ATAR students’ anxiety about assessments, what’s good – and not so good – about recording inside a closet, AI tools for podcasting, and the importance of authority, evidence, and appropriate guests when sharing psychological science. “You need to show all parts of the spectrum… the empirical evidence, the case study, as well as the more personal feel. I think that creates the best balance. Self-help advice is great, but you need to have evidence for what you’re saying.” – Tom Carbery Episode links Tom talks about this paper: Steven Berglas and Edward Jones (1978). Drug choice as a self-handicapping strategy in response to noncontingent success. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 36: 405–417. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.36.4.405 For more information about the consequences of self-handicapping behaviour, check out the SAGE Encyclopedia of Social Psychology: https://sk.sagepub.com/ency/edvol/socialpsychology/chpt/selfhandicapping#_ SciShow Psych cover self-handicapping in this YouTube video: https://youtu.be/d1YYgY0etrU If you or someone you know is living with anxiety or self-destructive behaviour, help is available. Connect with Beyond Blue or your local counselling services: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ Credits for this episode Episode Host: Emma Gill Special Guest: Tom Carbery Produced & Edited by: Emma Gill Audio Engineering: Matt Gill Show notes by: Emma Gill Audiogram by: Adobe Podcast

    20 min
  2. The Brownbeak Chronicles: SciComm x Bird Noir

    Jun 22

    The Brownbeak Chronicles: SciComm x Bird Noir

    ~ Note from Producers: Episode audio updated on 28/6/2026 ~ "With science, we're trying to communicate with people, change behaviour, inspire people to think about things differently... Being able to pivot and adapt to what your audience needs is a really important part." - Sarah Brown    In this episode, Camila sits down with Minor of Science Communication student Sarah Brown to discuss the process behind her "Brownbeak Chronicles" podcast episode. They talk about their mutual love for birds (in classic ageing millennial fashion), music, true crime, and Sarah's journey in STEM and science communication. Sarah shares how her interest in different artistic expressions - particularly music - has informed her practice of sharing science with different audiences. Stemming from their personal experiences, they discuss how science communication is an interdisciplinary practice in which multiple worldviews are welcome.    "Before I started this degree, I had zero STEM background... So I had no idea what to do with science. So I felt like science communication, I could kind of bridge that gap a little bit where I didn't feel like I was completely floundering." - Sarah Brown    Episode links:     See Walyalup’s 2024 AFLW Indigenous jumper here Listen to Gisela Kaplan's insights on bird behaviour here Listen to Geraldine Hickey's Death by Birding episode here Read more about inclusive science communication here Check out Sarah's birding and drawing account here This episode was brought to you by: Episode Host: Camila Pardo Uribe  Special Guest: Sarah Brown  Producers: Camila Pardo Uribe Audio editor: Camila Pardo Uribe   Show notes: Camila Pardo Uribe

    18 min
  3. Looking back, listening differently: Lessons from a misophonia podcast

    Jun 15

    Looking back, listening differently: Lessons from a misophonia podcast

    “It’s the question I keep coming back to – how inclusion, neurodiversity, and different ways of seeing and being in the world are part of science and science communication…” – Emma Gill   Our Winter Shorts Series continues with Clare Boon sitting down with The SciComm Collective’s Emma Gill to chat about how far she’s come since recording her very first podcast - for an assignment at UWA. We share Emma’s episode on misophonia, a condition which triggers intense emotional or physical responses to certain sounds. Clare and Emma discuss how the episode was a chance to explore what mattered for Emma, and some lessons learned about editing and episode preparation over the years. Together they reflect on Emma’s path through science communication so far.   “Doing a podcast is about having a go. We’re all on a journey.” – Emma Gill Episode links: Misophonia charity So Quiet Misophonia expert Dr Jane Gregory Sentipensate author Laura Réndon Free audio editing software Audacity Foley sound effects on Freesound.org The University of Western Australia: Master of Science Communication Episode credits: Episode Host: Clare Boon Special Guests: Emma Gill Producer: Clare Boon Audio editor: Clare Boon Audio engineer: Matthew Gill Show notes: Clare Boon

    17 min
  4. The Art of Interviewing

    Jun 8

    The Art of Interviewing

    "Whatever you are interviewing about, be curious … Ask the questions with the full curiosity of: I don’t know this, can you teach me?" - Siobhon Eacott  Welcome to Winter Shorts, a bonus series by The SciComm Collective that hopes to keep you entertained during the first weeks of winter. We will explore the art of podcasting with professionals and former students of UWA’s Science Presentations unit, so kick back, enjoy a hot beverage and listen in!   Today, Ximena sits down with Dr Heather Bray and Siobhon Eacott to talk about their experiences preparing for and conducting interviews. Heather shares insights from her time working on live radio and Siobhon reflects on the process of recording podcasts in a discipline she was initially unfamiliar with. They discuss practical strategies for keeping conversations flowing smoothly, comparing a good interview to a tennis match where the dialogue is constantly moving back and forth. This episode originates from one of The SciComm Collective’s most recent workshops, designed to encourage students to step outside their comfort zones, try new things and explore the world of podcasting.    "For practising [interviewing], there has to be something that makes it unfamiliar… your learning zone is out of your comfort zone… so you are practising to acquire that muscle memory." – Dr Heather Bray    Episode links:   Check out Heather’s lecture on interviewing skills   Find out more resources on reporting science from the Australian Science Media Centre   Discover more interviewing skills in BBC Academy    This episode was brought to you by: Episode Host: Ximena Shaw  Special Guests: Dr Heather Bray and Siobhon Eacott  Producer: Ximena Shaw  Audio editor: Matthew Gill  Show notes by: Ximena Shaw

    38 min
  5. A Fun Day Out with EnviroFest

    Apr 13

    A Fun Day Out with EnviroFest

    As The University of Western Australia gears up for the return of EnviroFest later in 2026, Ke chatted to the former guild environment officer Julia about the mission and logistical efforts required to bring a large-scale sustainability event to life in 2025. Emma and Rae then revisited their conversations last year at EnviroFest with a diverse range of community organisations to gather their insights of participating in event like this and how they take tangible actions on environmental issues. They then explored how organisations track behavioural change and use qualitative feedback to measure impact. By highlighting personal reflections from student volunteers and organisers alike, this episode demonstrates that the true value of such events lies in the power of collaboration and reflection.  Episode links: For updates of EnviroFest 2026, visit UWA Guild Environment Department, or follow their Facebook and Instagram.  Wanna volunteer with UWA? Sign up on their website.  Learn more about Friends of Australian Rock Art here.  Support Trillion Trees Australia’s restoration initiatives here.  Discover Kanyana Wildlife’s rehabilitation works here.   Visit Keep Australia Beautiful WA to see how you can help maintain our environment.  Join the mission of SAVE African Rhino Foundation here.    This episode was brought to you by:  Episode Hosts: Ke Yuan, Emma Gill and Rae Kumar   Special Guests: Julia Suffell (UWA Guild Environment Officer 2025), Douglas Laurie (Trillion Trees Australia), Danny Shelton (Kanyana Wildlife), Judith Hugo (Friends of Australian Rock Art), Catriona Drysdale (Keep Australia Beautiful Council), Linton Kirk (SAVE African Rhino Foundation), Xavier Caguiat (UWA PhD student volunteer)  Produced: Emma Gill and Rae Kumar  Audio edited: Ke Yuan   Audio Engineering: Matthew Gill  Show notes: Clare Boon   Follow The SciComm Collective on Instagram and online at https://thescicommcollective.com/

    35 min
  6. Hidden Variables - Designing a Physics Board Game

    Apr 6

    Hidden Variables - Designing a Physics Board Game

    “There should be no assumed knowledge in the rules” – Nick Godfrey Today, Rae sits down with Nick Godfrey to discuss his work developing a board game that teaches players about physics as covert education. They discuss how he brought together his background in physics and his love for board games to create something he’s passionate about. As every good science communicator considers, Nick reveals how he keeps the game adaptable for different audiences with different knowledge bases to keep the game fun for multiple audiences. Nick describes how he built an accessible game through trial and error, keeping fun at the forefront of his educational tactics. The discussion then turns to theplace of games in science communication and why fun is so important when learning. Finally, he gives some advice on how science communicators can use games in their work. Find Nick on LinkedIn here  Hidden Variables will (hopefully) be available in 2026! Follow Hidden Variables on Instagram for updates here Sign up to Nick’s mailing list to be notified of thelaunch here   This episode was brought to you by: Episode Host: Rae Kumar Special Guests: Nick Godfrey Produced: Rae Kumar Audio edited: Emma Gill   Show notes by: Clare Boon  Follow The SciComm Collective on Instagram and online at https://thescicommcollective.com/

    28 min
  7. Exploring the Importance of Indigeneity with Dr Jarita Holbrook

    Mar 30

    Exploring the Importance of Indigeneity with Dr Jarita Holbrook

    “When I go into those two different communities, I have to introduce myself differently” – Dr Jarita Holbrook Today, Kate, Rae and Felice sit down with Dr Jarita Holbrook to talk about their experience working with Indigenous communities. They discuss the ways in which researcherscan build connections with Indigenous communities and how communication is imperative in collaboration. They talk about the importance of identity when introducing yourself to different audiences and how holding multiple identitiescan be a strength. The discussion then turns to code switching and whiteness, andthe way privilege plays on conceptions of race. Jarita also shares their experiences in Perth and how they navigate issues around funding their research. Episode links: Check out Astrofest in 2026 here Read about the FAIR and CARE principles forIndigenous Data Governance here Delve deeper into code-switching here Find out more about Whiteness Theory here Watch Jarita talk about inclusivity in quantum gravity and cosmology here Find Jarita on Bluesky @astroholbrook.bsky.social This episode was brought to you by: Episode Host: Kate Holmes Special Guests: Dr Jarita Holbrook Produced: Rae Kumar and Felice Ng Audio edited: Matthew Gill Show notes by: Clare Boon  and Camila Pardo

    44 min
  8. When Art Meets Science with Dr Phil Dooley

    Mar 23

    When Art Meets Science with Dr Phil Dooley

    “I think of the audience as a fried egg” – Phil Dooley  Today, Clare sits down with Dr Phil Dooley (the current President of the Australian Science Communicators) to discuss art and audiences. Together they explore how science art reaches different audiences and how the ever-changing algorithm impacts who our content reaches. As performers, they discuss how theatre has can be used in science communication, especially when we can get scientists up on stage with us.   Episode links: Catch up with Phil Dooley on social media ⁠here⁠ Find Phil on Youtube ⁠here⁠  Watch Phil’s videos with Veritasium ⁠here⁠    If you want to catch Phil in person, try to get to his ⁠next Phil Up On Science event⁠   Interested in Australian Science Communicators? Check out their ⁠website⁠  Check out Clare's work here   This episode was brought to you by: Episode Host: Clare Boon    Special Guests: Dr Phil Dooley  Socials:  Follow The SciComm Collective on Instagram   Produced: Clare Boon  Audio edited:  Holly Dear   Show notes by:  Clare Boon     Follow The SciComm Collective on Instagram and online at https://thescicommcollective.com/

    12 min
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About

How do we tell science stories - and why?  The SciComm Collective digs into the social conversation around science through discussions and interviews with experts, amateurs, alumni, and more. Join us to learn about science communication skills, careers, and practices... and stay for the new ideas and fresh, diverse perspectives from student voices. www.thescicommcollective.com Created and run by science communication students at The University of Western Australia.

Information

  • Creator
    The SciComm Collective
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The SciComm Collective
  • Show Website
    The SciComm Collective