Bridging the gap between science and journalists in the public understanding of science
Workshop for scientists and journalists
Presented by the Department of Journalism, Stellenbosch University, in association with the South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) and sponsored by the South African Department of Science and Technology
4-6 November 2013
Department of Journalism
Stellenbosch University
Workshop Programme
Monday 4 November
08:00 – 09:00
Registration
09:00 – 09:30
Chair: Dr Gabriel Botma, chair, Department of Journalism, Stellenbosch University
Welcoming address: Prof. Eugene Cloete, Vice-rector: Research, Stellenbosch University
09:30 – 10:30
Chair: Prof. George Claassen, lecturer in Science & Technology Journalism, Department of Journalism, Stellenbosch University
Presenter: Ms Marina Joubert, Director, Southern Science
The communication leadership link – can you afford to ignore it? Why and how research leaders and universities should invest in communicating science.
10:30 – 11:00Tea/coffee
11:00 – 13:00
Presenters: Ms Marina Joubert, Southern Science,Prof. George Claassen, Department of Journalism, Stellenbosch University
Am I making myself clear? Waltzing in the dark; the old woman on top of a stepladder; and how a spider could catch a jumbo jet: Using analogies in science communication
13:00 – 14:00Lunch
14:00 – 16:45
Facilitators:Ms Marina Joubert, Southern Science, and Prof. George Claassen, Department of Journalism, Stellenbosch University (Interactive session with questions)
Interactive session I: Pitching your science news story
Science communication toolkit: Designer messages, sound bites & stories
How to reach your audience when it matters – writing, packaging and managing news releases that will not bite the dust
16:45 – 17:00 Tea/Coffee
17:00 – 18:30
Chair: Prof. George Claassen, Department of Journalism, Stellenbosch University
Presenter: Dr Arnold Muller, Department of Mathematics, Stellenbosch University
Forensics in court and reliable DNA evidence: How the media should deal with uncertainty in science
18:30 – 19:30Finger supper
Tuesday 5 November
08:30 – 10:30
Facilitators: Ms Marina Joubert, Southern Science, and Prof. George Claassen, Department of Journalism, Stellenbosch University (Interactive session with questions)
Interactive session II: Telling science stories – words and visuals
Pictures beat text – the value of high-impact visuals and compelling captions
Changing the science jacket for the media T-shirt – How to avoid jargon and say it in 50 words
Science Message Box – practical exercise
10:30 – 11:00 – Tea/coffee
11:00 – 13:00
Chair: Ms Wiida Basson, Faculty of Science, Stellenbosch University
Presenter:Dr Carl Albrecht, Chief researcher, Cancer Association of South Africa (Interactive session with questions)
Cancer research and the media: What to believe and what not.
13:00- 14:00 – Lunch
14:00 – 15:30
Chair: Prof. Anton van Niekerk, Director, Centre for Applied Ethics, Stellenbosch University
Presenter: Prof. Keymanthri Moodley, Director, Centre for Medical Ethics and Law, Faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University
Reporting on bioethics in the media: Where are the boundaries of responsible journalism about medical matters?
15:30 – 16:00Tea/Coffee
16:00 – 17:30
Chair: Daryl Ilbury (SAASTA)
Presenter: Toby Shapshak (editor: Stuff magazine)
Social media and science: Utilising new technologies in the public understanding of science
18:00 – 19:00Finger supper
Wednesday 6 November
09:00 – 12:00
Facilitators:Ms Marina Joubert, Southern Science, and Prof. George Claassen, Department of Journalism, Stellenbosch University
Here be dragons: Facing the media
Scientists present their news/story ideas to a panel of journalists; Followed by a “live” interview with the winning story
12:00 – 13:00
Chair:Dr Simphiwe Sesanti, Department of Journalism, Stellenbosch University
Presenter: Address by the Minister of Science and Technology, Mr. Derek Hanekom.
13:00-14:00 - Lunch
14:00 – 16:30
Facilitators:Ms Marina Joubert, Southern Science, and Prof. George Claassen, Department of Journalism, Stellenbosch University
Explaining your science to the media: interactive session between scientists & journalists
16:30 – 17:00Tea/Coffee