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. -- The SciComm Collective is on a break until our Winter Shorts season, coming this July --

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. Student Roundtable - Consensus Reality

    MAR 16

    Student Roundtable - Consensus Reality

    Keelan investigates what consensus reality is with Holly and Camila and how this relates to our work as science communicators. They delve into the theory behind this concept and discuss the intricacies behind mimesis and fiction. This theoretical discussion touches on all kinds of important concepts such as positionality, the impact of lenses, and the importance of context.   Episode links: If you want to see Keelan’s diagrams, click here Read about the deficit model ⁠here⁠ and ⁠here⁠ and listen toour episode on it ⁠here⁠ Read up on Haraway’s situated knowledges ⁠here⁠ If you’re interested in Bourdieu’s social capital, you canread his original work on it ⁠here This episode was brought to you by: Episode Host: Keelan Powell Special Guests: Holly Dear and Camila Pardo Uribe Socials: Follow The SciComm Collective on Instagram  Produced: Keelan Powell, Holly Dear and Camila Pardo Uribe Audio edited: Keelan Powell Show notes: Clare Boon  Follow The SciComm Collective on Instagram and online at https://thescicommcollective.com/

    53 min
  6. Decolonising Science Communication with Alana Dooley

    MAR 9

    Decolonising Science Communication with Alana Dooley

    Join Kate (Master of Science Communication student, the University of Western Australia) and Camila (PhD Candidate, the University of Western Australia) as they talk with Alana Dooley about her journey in science communication. They discuss their personal definitions of science communication and the importance of Alana’s Indigenous identity in how she approaches her science communication practice. They explore the weaponisation of science towards certain communities and the importance of acknowledging and addressing our colonial history in Australia. Alana tells us about the importance of Indigenous knowledge in understanding the night sky in her own life and the impact this has had on her understanding of how scientific knowledge is understood.    *Disclaimer: This episode was recorded in November 2024. Since then, the JOIDES Resolution (JR) Academy has stopped operating.       Episode links:   Read about Alana’s experience aboard the JR vessel here  Read about the deficit model here and here and listen to our episode on it here   Find out more about science capital by reading up on Emily Dawson’s work   Want to find out about most of sci comm being women? Read the paper here   Heather’s raising the bar episode    This episode was brought to you by: Episode Host: Kate Holmes and Camila Pardo Uribe   Special Guests: Alana Dooley  Socials: Follow The SciComm Collective on Instagram   Produced: Kate Holmes and Camila Pardo Uribe   Audio edited: Ximena Shaw and Camila Pardo Uribe   Show notes: Clare Boon and Camila Pardo Uribe Follow The SciComm Collective on Instagram and online at https://thescicommcollective.com/

    46 min
  7. Writing for Children with Pamela Freeman

    MAR 2

    Writing for Children with Pamela Freeman

    Join Emma (PhD Candidate, The University of Western Australia) today as she talks to children’s book author Pamela Freeman. They discuss how Pamela got into writing ecological picture books for children, where her ideas come from, and how they align with the national curriculum. Pamela explains how she best engages children with her books and how her unconventional relationship with her current illustrator is integral to the work she does. They discuss the process of getting a picture book published and how to evaluate if your work has had an impact. Episode Links: Pamela Freeman's website   This episode was brought to you by: Episode Host: Emma Gill   Special Guests: Pamela Freeman  Socials: Follow The SciComm Collective on Instagram   Produced: Emma Gill  Audio edited: Matthew Gill  Show notes: Clare Boon   Follow The SciComm Collective on Instagram  and online at https://thescicommcollective.com/

    34 min
  8. Inspiring Students with The Innovators' Tea Party

    FEB 23

    Inspiring Students with The Innovators' Tea Party

    Let’s get inspired! Ahead of the Innovators’ Tea Party’s ten-year anniversary celebration, join Holly (Master of Science Communication student, The University of Western Australia) as she talks with committee members and mentors about the impact of the Innovators’ Tea Party on Western Australian students interested in STEM and what it’s like being a woman in STEM. Hear right from the students’ mouths about their experience at one of the Innovator’s Tea Party’s events.   Episode Links: The Innovator’s Tea Party   This episode was brought to you by:   -Episode Host: Holly Dear -Special Guests: Evelyn Chuck (ITP founder), Estela Hogarth (ITP STEM program coordinator), Sophie Smith (mentor), Rhianna Hepburn (ITP ordinary committee member), Dr Sabine Bellstedt (Mentor), India Cywinski-Jan (Mentor), Jawaria Mahmood (ITP ordinary committee member, mentor) -Produced: Holly Dear and Emma Gill -Audio edited: Holly Dear -Show notes by: Clare Boon  Follow The SciComm Collective on ⁠Instagram and online at www.thescicommcollective.com

    23 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. -- The SciComm Collective is on a break until our Winter Shorts season, coming this July --

Information

  • Creator
    The SciComm Collective
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The SciComm Collective
  • Show Website
    The SciComm Collective