Let's Talk SciComm

Unimelb SciComm

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Hosted by Associate Professor Jen Martin and Dr Michael Wheeler, Let’s Talk SciComm is a podcast from the University of Melbourne’s Science Communication Teaching Program. Listen for advice, tips and interviews about how to communicate science in effective and engaging ways. Show notes, transcripts and more info: https://science.unimelb.edu.au/engage/lets-talk-scicomm-podcast

1D AGO

139. Interview with scicomm researcher and evolutionary linguist Dr Hannah Little

This week we were lucky enough to have an absolutely fascinating conversation with Dr Hannah Little. Hannah has been researching science communication for nearly 10 years, first as a Senior Lecturer in Science Communication at UWE Bristol and now in the Department of Communication and Media at the University of Liverpool. Previously, she did her PhD in the field of evolutionary linguistics at the Artificial Intelligence Lab at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium, and went on to a postdoc at the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics in the Netherlands. Throughout her career, she has endeavoured to share her love for evolutionary linguistics as a science communicator herself with well-received appearances at, among others, the British Science Festival, TEDx and on BBC Radio 4. Her work as a science communicator influences her research, especially in terms of exploring how storytelling, comedy and science fiction can influence public perceptions and understanding of science. In her spare time does competitive speed puzzling, stand-up comedy, and is writing a popular science book about linguistics and aliens. She is a member of the UK SETI Research Network and the SETI Post Detection Hub hosted at the University of St Andrews. As you might be able to gather, Hannah is an amazing person to chat about scicomm (and communicating with aliens) with! You can follow Hannah and find out more about her work here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-little-3709371a2 https://bsky.app/profile/hanachronism.bsky.social https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoeXkCM2wSs https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/humanities-and-social-sciences/research/blog/2024-posts/researcher-in-focus-hannah-little/ We mentioned this paper on cognitive biases in our conversation: http://doi.org/10.1177/09636625251387445 And here’s the storytelling toolkit for practitioners: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/3194747/1/Little_Storytelling%20Toolkit%202025_33MB.pdf

34 min
MAY 7

138. Listen To This If… You Want to Disagree with Someone Effectively

Disagreements are part of life, and science communication. Whether you’re talking about vaccines, climate change, or just what counts as the best breakfast, navigating differing views can be tricky. In this episode, Jen and Michael explore how to approach disagreement in a way that’s respectful, productive, and human. Rather than trying to “win” or change someone’s mind outright, they suggest focusing on creating space for alternative perspectives, and recognising when agreement may not be possible. They discuss practical strategies like actively listening, acknowledging the other person’s viewpoint, and asking permission before offering your own. Just as importantly, they reflect on when a disagreement goes beyond ideas and into values or identity and how that shifts what a “good outcome” looks like. You can find more great advice here: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_stay_open_and_curious_in_hard_conversations https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20200930-how-to-politely-and-productively-disagree https://theconversation.com/agreeing-to-disagree-is-hurting-your-relationships-heres-what-to-do-instead-252687

7 min
APR 30

137. Interview with ecologist and author Professor Deb Bower

This week we had the pleasure of chatting with Professor Deb Bower. Deb is a Professor of Zoology in the School of Environmental and Rural Science at the University of New England, Australia. Her research focuses on the ecology, behaviour, and conservation of freshwater turtles. She investigates how altered river flows, invasive predators, and habitat modification influence turtle populations and population dynamics. Her work combines spatial ecology, population ecology, and reproductive biology to inform conservation management. Deb collaborates closely with government agencies, conservation organisations, and communities to translate ecological research into practical strategies that support the long-term conservation of Australia’s threatened freshwater turtles. She has authored several children’s stories and she loves rhyming words. You can follow Deb and find out more about her work here: Instagram handle: @lazer_une Media: Turning the tide for turtles - ABC listen Tracking the health of turtles in the Murray Darling | 7.30 Environmental experts, detection dogs team up to protect native freshwater turtles - ABC News

34 min
APR 23

136. Listen To This If… You Need To Prepare for Question Time

Question time can feel like the most unpredictable - and nerve-wracking - part of giving a talk. You’ve prepared your slides, rehearsed your key points… but what about the questions you can’t anticipate? In this episode, Jen and Michael share practical strategies to help you approach Q&A with more confidence (and maybe even enjoyment). They discuss why it’s okay not to have all the answers, how to respond to challenging or “prickly” questions, and how a little preparation can go a long way. From planning for the questions you’re most worried about to strategically inviting the ones you want, this episode reframes question time as an opportunity rather than a threat. Ultimately, Q&A isn’t a test, it’s a chance to engage, get feedback, and continue the conversation. You can find more great advice here: https://www.animateyour.science/post/how-to-answer-questions-after-a-research-presentation https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3059906/ https://patthomson.net/2011/09/03/answering-audience-questions-at-conferences/

7 min
APR 16

135. Interview with parasitologist and artist Dr Tommy Leung

In this weeks' episode we had a fascinating chat with Dr Tommy Leung who is a parasitologist interested in the ecological and evolutionary facets of parasitism. Their research covers a range of parasite-related topics including macroecological patterns of parasitism, parasite community composition, parasite-host interactions, and disease ecology. The aim of their research is to shed light on a ubiquitous but often overlooked aspect of biodiversity. Tommy is also passionate about communicating parasitology and some of the lesser-known aspects of zoology to the general public. They write the Parasite of the Day blog, and has written multiple articles about parasites for The Conversation. They have also appeared on radio segments and podcasts, and is currently the social media editor for the Journal of Helminthology. You can follow Tommy and find out more about their work here: Parasite of the Day blog: https://dailyparasite.blogspot.com/ Tommy's articles on The Conversation: https://theconversation.com/profiles/tommy-leung-106786/articles Tommy's Google Scholar profile: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=TyMT3ggAAAAJ&hl=en BlueSky account: https://bsky.app/profile/the-episiarch.bsky.social

33 min
APR 9

134. Listen To This If…You Get Invited To Talk With A Journalist

Being invited to speak with a journalist is both exciting and a little nerve-wracking. In this episode, Jen and Michael chat about how to approach media interviews with confidence while staying in control of your message. They emphasise the importance of knowing your key points before you begin, while also being prepared for conversations to take unexpected turns. Michael shares a “walking the dog” analogy to capture this balance: having a clear direction, but knowing how to guide things back when needed. The episode also explores how interviews are often edited into short grabs, making clarity essential, and highlights the importance of setting boundaries when questions stray beyond your expertise. If you’re preparing for a media interview, this episode offers practical advice to help you stay focused, flexible, and confident. You can find more great advice here: https://sciencemediasavvy.org/ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2666869625000016 https://www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/wp-content/upload/2014/04/SMC-Desk-Guide-for-Scientists.pdf

7 min
APR 2

133. Interview with science communicator Emma Donnelly

Welcome to Season 18 of Let’s Talk SciComm! We’re excited to be launching our new season with a fantastic conversation with scicomm guru Emma Donnelly. Emma is a science communication specialist, leadership trainer and coach with more than 25 years’ experience helping researchers and technical experts translate expertise into influence. She is Manager of Inspiring Victoria at the Royal Society of Victoria, works with the Association for Tertiary Education Management, and runs her consultancy, Comm-it: Training and Communication Solutions. Emma has worked across the higher education sector nationally, including with the University of Melbourne, Monash University, UNSW, the University of Sydney, Curtin University, UWA and RMIT. She’s coached Prime Minister Science Prize winners and been the national FameLab consultant and trainer for several years. Her work in citizen science, research translation and engagement has been recognised through national and state awards, including the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes and the WA Premier’s Science Awards. Earlier in her career, she brought food science into mainstream media through work connected with My Kitchen Rules, and developed Eat Drink Think, a cookbook and program translating the science of food and flavour for public audiences. Today, Emma works with founders, scientists, researchers and university leaders to elevate pitching, storytelling, stakeholder engagement and leadership presence. Her warm, inclusive and evidence-based approach has supported thousands of professionals to build confidence, build trust and amplify their impact. Emma believes that great ideas only travel as far as your communication allows them to. You can follow Emma and find out more about her work here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmadonnelly1 https://www.linkedin.com/company/comm-it-aus/ https://www.youtube.com/@comm-it https://x.com/commitAUS https://www.facebook.com/commitaust/ www.comm-it.com.au

34 min
MAR 12

132. Listen To This If… Networking feels scary (or just a bit icky)

Everyone tells you networking is essential for your career. But what if the idea of walking into a room full of strangers and “working the room” makes you want to hide? In this short episode, Jen and Michael unpack why networking can feel uncomfortable and how reframing what networking actually is can make it much easier. Our key message: networking isn’t about collecting contacts or performing in crowded rooms. It’s about building genuine relationships over time. In this episode, we explore: Why it helps to rethink what “networking” really means A simple approach to conversations at conferences and events Why a short, practiced response to “What do you do?” can make things easier How to spot others in the room who might feel just as overwhelmed Why humour and honesty can break the ice (“Networking is a bit awkward, isn’t it?”) The often-overlooked importance of networking with your own colleagues Networking doesn’t have to mean working every corner of the room. Sometimes it’s as simple as introducing yourself, asking a thoughtful question, and following up later for a coffee or a conversation. And remember: most people in the room are probably feeling just as awkward as you are. You can find more great advice here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/21-networking-tips-i-just-gave-my-future-bosses-shane-o-leary-7fzwe/ https://www.comm-it.com.au/training/7-tips-for-easy-and-effective-networking/ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/networking-tips-early-career-scientists-lessons-from-science-tpfke/ Transcript: https://go.unimelb.edu.au/cph2

7 min

Hosted by Associate Professor Jen Martin and Dr Michael Wheeler, Let’s Talk SciComm is a podcast from the University of Melbourne’s Science Communication Teaching Program. Listen for advice, tips and interviews about how to communicate science in effective and engaging ways. Show notes, transcripts and more info: https://science.unimelb.edu.au/engage/lets-talk-scicomm-podcast

Creator

Unimelb SciComm
Years Active

2021 - 2026
Episodes

141
Rating

Clean
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© Unimelb SciComm
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Let's Talk SciComm

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Technology

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