Science and Media Communication Programme

Background

Telling the stories of science can be a challenge because research often doesn’t fit neatly into the format of the short ‘news story’. In addition, some of the lessons scientists are taught about communicating with their peers and colleagues can, unfortunately, get in the way of effective communication with a broad audience. This project looks at developing scientists’ capability to communicate their research and activities to a broad audience through traditional and emerging media as well as how to access relevant tools for building long-lasting relationships with the media, targeted stakeholders and the wider community. Increasing reliable, evidence-based information in the media enables more informed decision-making across societies and counters mis- and dis-information.

Summary

Online media and communications training

The International Science Council Regional Focal Point for Asia and the Pacific is delivering a program of online training specifically for members, affiliates and early- and mid-career researchers to build capability in communicating science, digital storytelling, understanding the media landscape and use of social media platforms. The training is being delivered by industry professionals from around the Asia and Pacific region, acknowledging, and adjusted to, the wide range of cultures, languages and media systems that exist within this region.

New Zealand and Australian Science Media Centre collaboration

In 2024/25 the New Zealand Science Media Centre and the Australian Science Media Centre delivered a programme of workshops and resources specifically for Pacific Island scholars and journalists to increase science media capability in the region.

Support for increased Pacific Island access to the Science Media Exchange (Scimex.org)
platform, alongside online distribution of resources developed for these workshops
expanded the reach of this initiative.

A dedicated symposium day at the next Global Science Media Centre meeting focused on training for scientists and journalists, as well as train-the-trainers exchanges between Asia-Pacific members of the Science Media Centre global network has further extended impacts across the region.

Activities and impact

Online media and communication training

• 15 May 2024: Storytelling in Science: Science Communication and the Media online workshop
• July 2024: Social Media Module briefing sessions
• 4 September 2024: Social media training module 1 – Navigating the social media landscape as a scientist in 2024
• 16 October 2024: Social media training module 2 – Developing a social media strategy for scientists
• 13 November 2024: Social media training module 3 – Social media content creation for scientific research
• 12 March 2025: Social media training module 4 – Using video to communicate science
• 30 April 2025: Social media training module 5 – Encouraging and managing interactions with online communities
• 28 May 2025: Social media training module 6 – Measuring impact and engaging with stakeholders
• Ongoing 2025-2028: Media and communications training workshops

New Zealand and Australia Science Media Centre collaboration

• 4-6 July 2024: A talanoa (sharing of ideas) session with journalists and media academics at the Pacific Media Conference 2024. 
• October 2024: A session focusing specifically on training science journalists in Apia, Samoa during CHOGM.  
• June 2025: A joint training of scientists and journalists at the bi-annual meeting of the Pacific Islands Universities Research Network 
• February 2025: Developed resources for Pacific media including a Pacific edition of the Desk guide for media covering science, launched at the Pacific Media Partnership Conference in Suva. 
• Pacific Academy of Sciences member institutions gain access to the Science Media Exchange newsfeed and platform (Scimex.org). Benefits to ISC member institutions include:
  • Access to Science Media Exchange portal to publicize new research publications and expertise, providing direct visibility to regional and global media. 
  • Free advice and training sessions for media communications teams at member institutions. 
  • Access to online resources and training modules.