This week’s seminar by Alexander Hall

Please join us for this week’s seminar by Alexander Hall, McMaster School of Interdisciplinary Science.

There will be coffee and snacks before the seminar. Please bring your own mug.

Thursday 4:00PM, HSC 1A5 and on zoom (Passcode: cElegans)

Laughing about serious science: using science communication theory and creative practices to reach diverse target audiences

Most science communication relies on didactic methods to convey scientific knowledge to a general audience. But what makes for effective science communication? Is it simply about enhancing the audience’s understanding of the subject? Or perhaps fostering a deeper grasp of the scientific research process itself? Should we just prioritize outreach focused on the most pressing scientific issues? And should we direct our efforts toward the public at large or specific audiences?

In this seminar, historian of science and science communication expert Dr Alexander Hall will introduce his research on the practice of science communication to help us begin addressing these questions. Introducing his research on evolutionary science in popular media, engaging diverse religious communities with science, and how comedy can be used to help us take complex ideas to new audiences, Dr Hall will demonstrate how more considered, creative interventions can better communicate our science and better serve the communities we engage with.