Let's Talk SciComm

Disagreements are part of life, and science communication. Whether you’re talking about vaccines, climate change, or just what counts as the best breakfast, navigating differing views can be tricky.
In this episode, Jen and Michael explore how to approach disagreement in a way that’s respectful, productive, and human. Rather than trying to “win” or change someone’s mind outright, they suggest focusing on creating space for alternative perspectives, and recognising when agreement may not be possible.
They discuss practical strategies like actively listening, acknowledging the other person’s viewpoint, and asking permission before offering your own. Just as importantly, they reflect on when a disagreement goes beyond ideas and into values or identity and how that shifts what a “good outcome” looks like.
You can find more great advice here:
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_stay_open_and_curious_in_hard_conversations

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20200930-how-to-politely-and-productively-disagree

https://theconversation.com/agreeing-to-disagree-is-hurting-your-relationships-heres-what-to-do-instead-252687

This week we had the pleasure of chatting with Professor Deb Bower. Deb is a Professor of Zoology in the School of Environmental and Rural Science at the University of New England, Australia. Her research focuses on the ecology, behaviour, and conservation of freshwater turtles. She investigates how altered river flows, invasive predators, and habitat modification influence turtle populations and population dynamics. Her work combines spatial ecology, population ecology, and reproductive biology to inform conservation management. Deb collaborates closely with government agencies, conservation organisations, and communities to translate ecological research into practical strategies that support the long-term conservation of Australia’s threatened freshwater turtles. She has authored several children’s stories and she loves rhyming words. 

You can follow Deb and find out more about her work here: 
Instagram handle: @lazer_une
Media:
Turning the tide for turtles - ABC listen
Tracking the health of turtles in the Murray Darling | 7.30
Environmental experts, detection dogs team up to protect native freshwater turtles - ABC News

Question time can feel like the most unpredictable - and nerve-wracking - part of giving a talk. You’ve prepared your slides, rehearsed your key points… but what about the questions you can’t anticipate?
In this episode, Jen and Michael share practical strategies to help you approach Q&A with more confidence (and maybe even enjoyment).
They discuss why it’s okay not to have all the answers, how to respond to challenging or “prickly” questions, and how a little preparation can go a long way. From planning for the questions you’re most worried about to strategically inviting the ones you want, this episode reframes question time as an opportunity rather than a threat.
Ultimately, Q&A isn’t a test, it’s a chance to engage, get feedback, and continue the conversation.
You can find more great advice here:
https://www.animateyour.science/post/how-to-answer-questions-after-a-research-presentation

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3059906/

https://patthomson.net/2011/09/03/answering-audience-questions-at-conferences/

In this weeks' episode we had a fascinating chat with Dr Tommy Leung who is a parasitologist interested in the ecological and evolutionary facets of parasitism. Their research covers a range of parasite-related topics including macroecological patterns of parasitism, parasite community composition, parasite-host interactions, and disease ecology. The aim of their research is to shed light on a ubiquitous but often overlooked aspect of biodiversity.
Tommy is also passionate about communicating parasitology and some of the lesser-known aspects of zoology to the general public. They write the Parasite of the Day blog, and has written multiple articles about parasites for The Conversation. They have also appeared on radio segments and podcasts, and is currently the social media editor for the Journal of Helminthology.
 You can follow Tommy and find out more about their work here:
Parasite of the Day blog:
https://dailyparasite.blogspot.com/
 
Tommy's articles on The Conversation:
https://theconversation.com/profiles/tommy-leung-106786/articles
 
Tommy's Google Scholar profile:
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=TyMT3ggAAAAJ&hl=en
 
BlueSky account:
https://bsky.app/profile/the-episiarch.bsky.social

Being invited to speak with a journalist is both exciting and a little nerve-wracking. In this episode, Jen and Michael chat about how to approach media interviews with confidence while staying in control of your message.
They emphasise the importance of knowing your key points before you begin, while also being prepared for conversations to take unexpected turns. Michael shares a “walking the dog” analogy to capture this balance: having a clear direction, but knowing how to guide things back when needed.
The episode also explores how interviews are often edited into short grabs, making clarity essential, and highlights the importance of setting boundaries when questions stray beyond your expertise.
If you’re preparing for a media interview, this episode offers practical advice to help you stay focused, flexible, and confident.
You can find more great advice here:
https://sciencemediasavvy.org/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2666869625000016

https://www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/wp-content/upload/2014/04/SMC-Desk-Guide-for-Scientists.pdf