Lotus STEMM Presents

Expanding Horizons

Multicultural and Multilingual Science Communication Workshop Series
Funded by the National Research Council Canada, Expanding Horizons is a workshop series to train individuals in multicultural and multilingual SciComm, expanding what it means to communicate science and ways of knowing.

What we do?

Led by two professionals with expertise in science communication and storytelling, participants in the workshop series will have a chance to explore various aspects of multilingual and multicultural science communication, network with diverse science communication professionals, and develop a science communication project of their own in the format of their choice, building their SciComm portfolio. They will showcase their project in the final session and prizes will be awarded to the top project(s).

What it's about?

While “know your audience” is the golden rule of public engagement, cultural identity and language are often overlooked in science communication (SciComm) practices. With ~20% Canadians speaking a non-French/English language, this workshop series will promote the diversifying of SciComm, while expanding beyond the primary use of English or Eurocentric perspectives. There are few SciComm training programs in Canada, let alone blueprints for multilingual and/or multicultural SciComm. Lotus STEMM is excited to bring you this project, expanding SciComm and embracing the diverse languages, cultures and ways of knowing.

Please note: Space is limited and is delivered on a first-come-first-served basis.

TESTIMONIALS

The resources shared were very useful. I especially liked that it was very interactive rather than a monologue.

Enjoyed discussion format - video answers shown and we elaborate with own responses, the videos helped spark ideas.

This workshop was one of the best one in the series, really well done, maybe the timing can be improved, but enjoyed it overall! (in reference to workshop 4)

Detailed Schedule

Date*

Title

Description

June 11, 2022

Basics of Evidence-Based Science Communication

This workshop covers the basic principles, best practices and brief history of science communication with the lens of viewing ourselves and our audiences as multicultural and multilingual participants.

June 18, 2022

The Art of Storytelling

Participants will have an opportunity to explore the history of storytelling, reflecting on their own cultural practices of storytelling. Participants will learn to identify elements of storytelling, and start thinking about how they might incorporate storytelling into their science communication initiatives.

June 25, 2022

Exploring the Intersection of Science and Culture

Participants will have the chance to engage in discussion and explore the intersections (or lack thereof) of science and culture We’ll look at ways and approaches of bridging science and culture in science communication, overcoming traditional scientific training that may have kept the two separate.

July 9, 2022

Evaluating Our Science Communication

This workshop discusses the importance of evaluation in science communication and equips participants with practical tools to implement evaluation during development and deployment

July 16, 2022

Expert Panel & Feedback Session

A diverse group of experts will share their experience in multilingual and multicultural science communication, followed by a roundtable feedback session where experts can provide guidance on the progress of the participants’ final project. Confirmed panelists thus far include Ki-Youn Kim.

July 30, 2022

Final Showcase

Participants will present their final project to a panel of judges and members of their target audience, which will be recorded and later uploaded to the Lotus STEMM YouTube channel. The panel of judges will award a first-place project from a rubric based on aspects covered in the workshop series.

*ALL WORKSHOPS ARE HELD FROM 10 AM - 12 PM EST

Who is Leading the Workshops?

Celia Du

Celia Du is a science communication specialist with extensive experience engaging various audiences with science. She has worked with the Royal Canadian Institute for Science, Science Rendezvous, the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Science Everywhere, and Indus Space Inc. With a background in Chemistry from McGill University and a Master’s in Science Communication and Public Engagement from the University of Edinburgh, she is dedicated to improving science communication practices to better bridge science and the public. She has led workshops and trained budding science communicators through the Royal Canadian Institute for Science, the SciCommTO Conference, Laurentian University’s Science Communication program, the Canadian Science Policy Conference and Lotus STEMM.

Priya Iyer

Priya Iyer is a multi-skilled public health professional and freelance health journalist. She holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Genetics. A freelance writer since 2018, she has contributed stories for major media organizations, including Al Jazeera and TVO, focussing on issues impacting underrepresented, culturally and linguistically diverse populations. As a public health professional, she has supported public health research and evaluation, and worked in both provincial and municipal public health programs. Her perspectives as a first-generation immigrant to Canada inform her storytelling and have taken her as far as eSwatini in southern Africa, where she worked with communities to learn and share stories of impact for Crossroads International in 2020.

Contributors:

Ki-Youn Kim, Science Communication Specialist
Siddharth Kankaria, Science Communication & Outreach Manager, Simons Centre, NCBS Bangalore
Dr. Juliet Daniel, Professor and Cancer Biologist, Department of Biology at McMaster University
Dr. Imogen Coe, Founding Dean of the Faculty of Science at Ryerson University
Clint Jacobs, Adjunct Indigenous Scholar, University of Windsor
Francis Jeffers, Curator and Founder, Canadian Multicultural Inventor’s Museum
Catherine Lau, Knowledge Translation/Communications Coordinator, ACCESS Open Minds

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What medium of SciComm will the workshop series cover?

The medium is up to the participants so long as it can be presented virtually in the final showcase and ultimately uploaded to Lotus STEMM’s YouTube channel. This series is not focused on the medium so much as the approach to science communication.

2. Who is the intended audience of the workshop series?

Students, fellows, and faculty in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) from Canadian postsecondary institutions who are interested in and relatively new to science communication and/or multilingual and multicultural science communication.

3. I am a Canadian but I am stuck overseas. Can I still attend the workshop?

Yes, if you will be available for the majority of the workshop sessions, then you are eligible to attend. Please reach out to us to provide more information.

4. What if I am interested but I’m not eligible?

While this workshop series is focused for Science Communication in Canada, if you do not reside in Canada and are interested, please contact us for more information.

5. When will this series be delivered?

Every Saturday from July 24 to August 28

6. What will be the time commitment?

Each workshop will be 1.5 hours in length. Participants will also be expected to work on their science communication project as part of the workshops on their own time. Many activities in the workshop are intended to help participants achieve progress on their projects.

7. How is this different from regular SciComm workshops?

These workshops will look at science communication through the lens of multiculturalism and multilingualism. Each aspect and principle taught will be intertwined with multiculturalism and multilingualism.

8. What will I gain by participating in the workshops?

As a participant, you will learn SciComm and storytelling principles; you will develop a SciComm project of your own that you can add to your portfolio, and you will have the opportunity to network with other participants and with SciComm professionals.

9. What if I can’t attend all of the workshops?

Participants are expected to attend all of the workshops. However, if you know you cannot attend all the workshops but are interested, please contact us for more information.

10. What is the cost of this workshop series?

The workshop is completely free for participants.

11. Who else is contributing to the workshop series

(and in what capacity)?

A number of SciComm professionals and academics have reviewed the workshop series and contributed to its design, and some may also be an expert panelist or showcase judge..

- Ki-Youn Kim, Science Communication Specialist
- Siddharth Kankaria, Science Communication & Outreach Manager, Simons Centre, NCBS Bangalore
- Dr. Juliet Daniel, Professor and Cancer Biologist, Department of Biology at McMaster University
- Dr. Imogen Coe, Founding Dean of the Faculty of Science at Ryerson University
- Clint Jacobs, Adjunct Indigenous Scholar, University of Windsor
- Francis Jeffers, Curator and Founder, Canadian Multicultural Inventor’s Museum
- Catherine Lau, Knowledge Translation/Communications Coordinator, ACCESS Open Minds

Have more questions?

Reach us at

expanding.horizons@lotusstemm.org.