Let's Talk SciComm

"I'm happy to talk to different audiences, but I don't want to dumb down my research." It's a phrase Jen and Michael both quietly dread and in this short episode, they dig into why it rubs them the wrong way. The problem isn't wanting to stay accurate; it's the assumption baked into "dumbing down" that your audience isn't intelligent. Jen and Michael ref...

Have you ever met an astrometallurgist? Neither had we, until we had the great pleasure of chatting with Dr Matt Shaw on this week's episode! Matt's career genuinely sounds like it was pulled straight from the pages of a sci-fi novel, but it's very much grounded in real, cutting-edge science. He began as a metallurgist in the mining industry - extracting metals like gold from rocks, or as he descr...

Ever feel like you don't quite belong, or that everyone around you knows what they're doing while you're just hoping no one finds out that you don’t? In this season’s first Listen To This Episode, Jen and Michael talk honestly about the imposter experience at work: why feeling like a bit of a fraud is more normal (and more useful) than you might think, and how to keep showing up anyway. Sharing ho...

Welcome to a new season of Let’s Talk Scicomm - we’re thrilled to be back with you for Season 19!  We can’t imagine a better way to launch the season than a chat with the brilliant Kirsty Costa, host and creator of the Weekend Birder Podcast.  Weekend Birder is one of Australia’s most-loved science and nature podcasts, opening birdwatching up to anyone who’s curious. Kirsty works at the intersecti...

Email is essential, but it can also suck the life out of you. In this episode, Jen and Michael share their best advice for taming the inbox: write clear subject lines, put your call to action up front, and keep emails short so you reduce the cognitive load on the person reading. They also discuss a brilliant piece of counterintuitive advice from Dr Jonathan O'Donnell: take longer to reply. Slo...

This week we were lucky enough to have an absolutely fascinating conversation with Dr Hannah Little. Hannah has been researching science communication for nearly 10 years, first as a Senior Lecturer in Science Communication at UWE Bristol and now in the Department of Communication and Media at the University of Liverpool. Previously, she did her PhD in the field of evolutionary linguistics at the...

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 focu...

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...

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, ho...

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...

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...

Welcome to Season 18 of Let’s Talk SciComm!  We’re excited to be launching our new season with a fantastic conversation with scicomm guru Emma Donnelly. Emma is a science communication specialist, leadership trainer and coach with more than 25 years’ experience helping researchers and technical experts translate expertise into influence. She is Manager of Inspiring Victoria at the Royal Society of...

Everyone tells you networking is essential for your career. But what if the idea of walking into a room full of strangers and “working the room” makes you want to hide? In this short episode, Jen and Michael unpack why networking can feel uncomfortable and how reframing what networking actually is can make it much easier. Our key message: networking isn’t about collecting contacts or performing in...

This week we had the pleasure of speaking with Clancy Lester aka "Bee Man" - a nature lover and founder of Bees and Blossoms. Through growing up on Yorta Yorta Country in regional Victoria, Clancy developed an early fascination with the natural world that later evolved into community-focused biodiversity education through social media and hands-on workshops. His work empowers young peopl...

Everyone keeps telling you to “tell a story” about your research… but what if you genuinely can’t see one? In this short episode, Jen and Michael tackle one of the most common (and quietly stressful) challenges in science communication: finding the story in your own work. Their reassurance? If you’re looking for a story, you’re already on the right track. In this episode, we explore: Why story = a...

This week we spoke with Dr Chloe Lim who is a trained molecular biologist, professional balloon artist, and science communicator with over 20 years of experience in medical research and regulatory science. She is the founder of Twistyfic , where she merges science, storytelling, and balloon art to spark curiosity and inspire young minds through engaging STEAM shows and workshops. Chloe also runs G...

Rejection hurts -  whether it’s a journal decision, a grant outcome, or yet another “unsuccessful” email landing in your inbox. In this short Listen to This If episode, Jen and Michael talk honestly about the emotional rollercoaster of academic rejection, why it’s not a reflection of your worth (or your work), and how to keep going when the disappointment hits hard. They share practical strategies...

This week we have a wonderful conversation with Tina Katsaros who is a PhD student at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia, working under Dr Sarah Annesley and funded by ME Research UK. She is a cell biologist investigating abnormalities in mitochondrial function, metabolism and signalling in cells from people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).  Beyond the lab...

A 100-word lay summary sounds simple, but getting every word to count is harder than it looks. In this episode, Jen and Michael share practical tips for writing summaries that actually make people care. From finding a strong hook to focusing on impact (not methods), they talk through how to make your research clear, engaging, and accessible for non-expert readers. Perfect for anyone tackling grant...

We’re so excited to welcome you to Season 17 of Let’s Talk SciComm. We have some fabulous episodes in store and can’t wait to share them with you.  What better way to get the season started than a conversation with the multi-talented Dr James O’Hanlon? James is a scientist, author, artist and communicator with a background in behavioural ecology. He has published over 30 academic papers and his po...

Saying no can feel awkward, uncomfortable, or even selfish, especially when you want to be helpful or the opportunity feels exciting. In this episode of Listen to This If , in just 5 minutes Jen and Michael unpack how to decline invitations thoughtfully, professionally, and without burning bridges. They share a simple, practical formula for saying no with kindness, discuss how to weigh shiny oppor...

This week we’re thrilled to be joined by long-time friend of the podcast Dr Tullio Rossi - we first chatted with Tullio way back in Season 6 ( you can listen to that interview here ). Tullio is an award-winning science communicator, marine biologist, and graphic designer. As the founder of Animate Your Science, he has trained over 7,000 researchers across 59 countries to tell their stories to the...

What if the people closest to you just don’t “get” what you do? How do you talk about your work or studies without sounding defensive, boring, or awkward? In this episode of Listen to This If …., Jen and Michael tackle a common but rarely discussed challenge: when your family doesn’t understand your passion for science, study, or work. They each share a practical tip for navigating these conversat...

This week we loved chatting with Bec Colless, who has 30+ years’ experience in science communication, research translation and IP commercialisation, public and stakeholder relations, education and marketing. She has enhanced the reputations, funding and impact of universities and research organisations, innovative businesses – including her own travelling science show – government agencies, non-pr...

Struggling to grab your audience’s attention? In this week’s episode, Jen and Michael break down exactly what makes a killer headline - one that cuts through the noise, hooks your reader instantly, and sets up your story for impact. In just five minutes, you’ll learn: Why your headline matters more than you think The science of what makes people stop scrolling Simple, repeatable headline formulas...