+ About the Conference

Scientists in Canada recognize the need to communicate their work with the public. Many want to do so, but with issues like climate change and vaccination more prominent than ever, good communication is vital. In fact, poor science communication may do more damage than no communication at all. With approximately 70% of Canada’s top jobs now requiring some level of science, technology, engineering or math (STEM), it’s disheartening that despite huge activity in youth STEM programming, only 22% of Canadian youth express a lot of interest in pursuing science at the post-secondary level.

Building networks among scientists and communication professionals alike is essential to developing a healthy and vibrant science culture in Canada. Innovation in science communication (or ‘SciComm’) won’t happen without connecting these communities, sharing Canadian experiences and learning about related work from around the world.

That’s why RCIScience and the SciXchange at Ryerson University partnered to bring you the SciCommTO Conference 2020 - a cross-sector meeting bringing together practitioners from a range of science communication disciplines. Experienced science communicators and newcomers alike tackled the biggest issues in science communication, shaping an engaged Canadian science communication community through idea exchange and sharing best practice.

This pilot initiative from the SciCommTO Network focused on moving the sector forward. With a look to the future, we’ll also learned from the past, exploring case studies from other countries, and considering perspectives and learnings from those outside of the SciComm sector.