Researchers and Communicators to explore benefits of greater collaboration and public participation

A national conference on strengthening collaboration between researchers, communications professionals and the public will take place on December 7th.

SCI:COM 2017 will showcase how research and science can become more accessible to the public, responsive to social needs and involve greater public participation.

It will all take place at the Ballsbridge Hotel, Dublin on Thursday, December 7th. Details are at www.scicom.ie.

One of the conference founders, Science Communicator and Journalist, Jonathan McCrea, said: “We are expecting a wide range of delegates at SCI:COM – researchers, communications professionals, educators, policymakers and business leaders – all of whom have an interest in how research is undertaken and communicated.”

“SCI:COM will bring together the public face of research in Ireland, people who are involved in the communication of science, medicine and technology. It is an opportunity to network, share ideas, get inspired and meet future collaborators.

“The event will look at how the public, patients or companies can shape the design of research projects and improved the outcomes (a major focus for Science Foundation Ireland and Horizon 2020).

“It will also include critical discussion of Ireland’s STEAM initiative (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) and what the arts can bring to science communications.”

Speakers include:

– Comedian and Science Communicator: Robin Ince
– UCD School of Mathematics & RTE presenter: Dr Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin
– Minister for Communications: Denis Naughten, TD
– Science Foundation Ireland, Director of Strategy and Communications: Dr Ruth Freeman
– Irish Platform for Patient Organisations, Science and Industry, Chief Executive: Derick Mitchell
– Science Sandbox & Simons Foundation, USA, Science Communicator: Greg Bousted
– Science Communicator and Poet: Dr Sam Illingworth.
– Internationally acclaimed artist, Aoife Von Linden Tol.

There are many many more topics and contributors including citizen based information policing, international journalists (BBC) and communications gurus.

The conference will also include THINK:TANK a ‘design thinking’ workshop at which scientists and the public will work together to address societal issues and a Poetry Slam which will involve communication of science information via poetry and performance.