SciCommTO Conference 2020 Summary
It has often been said that science has a public relations (PR) problem. The stereotype of cerebral yet aloof white coats working alone in sterile laboratories, rattling off incomprehensible jargon and scribbling illegible equations, perpetuates otherworldly elitism and disconnect from the everyman. Yet, in an era where information has never been more accessible, the politicization of facts and mistrust in expertise has made relationship-building between scientists and the public all the more crucial – especially as we are confronted with global crises in climate change and the emergence (and re-emergence) of infectious diseases.
Toronto has an immensely accomplished and diverse community of scientists and science communicators (with many wearing both hats) and bringing them together to share best practices, provide mentorship, and develop collaborations in science communication (“SciComm”) is essential for building a healthy and vibrant science culture in Canada. This was the goal of SciCommTO Conference 2020, a pilot initiative from the SciComm Network in Toronto (SciCommTO), co-hosted by RCIScience and the SciXchange at Ryerson University. The two-day event was a cross-sectoral meeting of a diverse group of delegates and organizations, bringing together over 120 journalists, practitioners, academics, influencers and researchers in the SciComm community across Ontario.
Toolkit/Resources
An introduction to the who, what, where, when, why and how of science communication.