How to Talk about Science

Strategic outreach is vital if you want to affect policy, bring media attention to your work or spark a lifelong interest in science in everyone you meet.

It’s also the only way you’ll be able to directly communicate the results of your work for social benefit.

You’re invited to learn How To Talk About Science at a conference at the University of Victoria in May 2012. After two days of interactive sessions you’ll have the tools to fine-tune your outreach strategies using pointers from some of the top scientists and media working in science communications today.

May 25—27, 2012
University of Victoria | Victoria, BC, Canada
Questions - please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Organizing Committee
Dale Anderson
Jane Gair
Bev Holmes
Melisa Yestrau
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This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it with any questionsRegistration is now closed.
Please contact Marjorie Wilder at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 250-472-4067 with questions

Registration Fees:
Trainees $100.00
Regular $175.00

Trainees are Postdoctoral Fellows, Graduate and Undergraduate Students

Program Information

The conference will follows a non-competitive ‘track’ model. This includes general keynote talks, and panel sessions. The panels are link to themed breakout sessions which the attendees can choose.

Conference Tracks and Keynotes

• K- 12: Bonnie Schmidt (President, "Let's Talk Science")
            "Bringing Life to Science: why talking about science matters and why kids care" 
  
• Media Communications: Bob McDonald (host ,CBC Quirks and Quarks)
            "Let me see if I've got this right"
  
• General Public: E. Paul Zehr (author, Becoming Batman and Inventing Iron Man)
            "Two superheroes walk into a bar and order coffee - engaging the public in science" 

Panels:

Media
Petti Fong (Toronto Star Newspaper)
Kate Lunau (Assistant Editor, Maclean's)
Bruce Kilpatrick (UVic Communications)
Bruce MacKenzie (City Editor, Victoria Times Colonist)
Christie Nicholson (Contributing Editor, Scientific American)
Phil Saunders (Narrative Devices Communications)

General Public
Jennifer Gardy (BC Centre for Disease Control)
Sally Greenwood (Genome BC)
Ed Ishiguro (UVic Learning &Teaching Centre)
Lynne Quarmby (Simon Fraser University)
Robyn Sussel (Health & Science Communicator, Signals.ca)
Larry Yore (UVic Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Education)
 

K-12
David Blades (UVic, Science Education & Curriculum Development)
Jude Isabella (Editor and Author)
Dianne Lattemann (VA Puget Sound Health Care System; University of Washington)
Melisa Yestrau (UVic, Actua, Science Venture)
Larissa Vingilis-Jaremko (Founder, Canadian Association for Girls in Science)
Billy McClune (Queen's University Belfast, Director of Education)

Conference Schedule

Day 1 Friday, 25 May 2012

6:00 – 7:30 pm   Registration and Welcome Reception at the MacLaurin Building, UVic Map With Notes
                           (Appetizers and Cash Bar)
7:30 – 8:30 pm   Introductory Keynote (Bonnie Schmidt K-12)

Day 2 Saturday, 26 May 2012

8:30 –   noon           Registration booth open (MacLaurin Building- Foyer)
8:30 –   9:20 am      Hot Breakfast (Village Greens- In Cadboro Commons )
9:35 –   9:45 am      Welcome and Announcements (MacLaurin Building)
9:45 –  10:45 am     Opening Keynote (Bob McDonald, Media Communications)
10:45 –11:00 am     Networking & refreshment break
11:00 –12:00 pm     General Public Panel
12:15 – 1:30 pm      General Public Concurrent Breakout Sessions (GP1, 2, or 3)
1:30 –   2:30 pm      Lunch
2:30 –   4:00 pm      Media Panel
4:00 –   4:15 pm      Networking & refreshment break
4:15 –   5:30 pm      Media Concurrent Breakout Sessions (M1, 2, or 3)

Day 3 Sunday, 27 May 2012

8:45   –  10:00 am  Continental Breakfast Keynote (E. Paul Zehr General Public) (MacLaurin Building)
10:00 – 11:15 am   K-12 Panel
11:15 – 11:30 am   Refreshment break
11:30 – 12:45 pm   K-12 Concurrent Breakout Sessions (K-12(1), (2), or (3))
12:45 –   1:00 pm   Closing and Summary (E. Paul Zehr) 

Media Coverage:
Martlet, 23 Feb 2012: Conference shows importance of scientists getting their message to the public

The Ring, April 2012: Conference addresses telling the story of your research

Accommodation Information

Special conference rates have been established at these locations.

On Campus

UVic Dormitory Rooms 
Reservations: Call 1-250-721-8395 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Group name: "How to Talk about Science"

Information:
Bed & Breakfast
Single or Twin room rates are available in a dormitory building with housekeeping, towel service and breakfast.

All taxes included in quotes:
-Single B&B Rate: $53.76 per room/night
-Twin B&B Rate:  $65.25 per room/night 
-Cluster Unit Daily Rate: $182.78 per unit /night (Sleeps 4 in single rooms per unit) no breakfast included. Basic bedding, towels and kitchen appliances supplied.
-Craigdarroch B&B Guest House: $105/night per night, single (limited availability)

•Booking deposit is one night's accommodation per room due at the time of reserving
•Full payment is due on check in
•Notice of cancellation must be received 48 hours prior to the arrival date otherwise the deposit is forfeited and reservation is cancelled.

Cadboro Commons- Food Services for on Campus meals

Accommodation downtown Victoria 
If staying off campus, please see BC Transit for bus schedules to the campus

Hotel Grand Pacific
Reservations: call the hotel at: 1-800-663-7550
Group name: "How to talk about Science" or Group Code: MAY12SCIENCE
Group rate:$140.00/single or double  plus tax based on availability

Days Inn Victoria
Reservations: Call and ask for Rayna 1-800-665-3024 or directly at 1-250-386-3451 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Group name: "How to talk about Science" or Group Code: CGMY25
Group rate: $115.00/single or double plus tax based on availability

Tourism Victoria Information

University of Victoria Maps and Buildings 

Conference Sponsors

Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research

Genome British Columbia

NSERC

Alberta Innovates Health Solutions

Simon Fraser University- Faculty of Science

Triumf  

University of Victoria