The SciComm Collective

“When they’re discussing something, I feel that I need to listen to it…” – Ryan Siew   When you make a podcast, you should make something that you care about and that *you* would want to listen to.  On this Winter Shorts episode, UWA zoology student Ryan Siew shares how his listening preferences and his passion for conservation informed the decisions he made for the mini-podcast.  Ryan focused on...

“Next time you find yourself avoiding the work you should be doing, remember: your values hold the key to success.” – Tom Carbery Are you ever so worried about failing at something that you actively seek out other activities to do instead… and then ‘blame’ those as the reason you fail? You might be 'self-handicapping'. On this episode, UWA psychology student Tom Carbery shares his mini-pod...

~ Note from Producers: Episode audio updated on 28/6/2026 ~ "With science, we're trying to communicate with people, change behaviour, inspire people to think about things differently... Being able to pivot and adapt to what your audience needs is a really important part." - Sarah Brown     In this episode, Camila sits down with Minor of Science Communication student Sarah Brown to di...

“It’s the question I keep coming back to – how inclusion, neurodiversity, and different ways of seeing and being in the world are part of science and science communication…” – Emma Gill   Our Winter Shorts Series continues with Clare Boon sitting down with The SciComm Collective’s Emma Gill to chat about how far she’s come since recording her very first podcast - for an assignment at UWA. We share...

"Whatever you are interviewing about, be curious … Ask the questions with the full curiosity of: I don’t know this, can you teach me?" - Siobhon Eacott   Welcome to Winter Shorts, a bonus series by The SciComm Collective that hopes to keep you entertained during the first weeks of winter. We will explore the art of podcasting with professionals and former students of UWA’s Science Presen...

As The University of Western Australia gears up for the return of EnviroFest later in 2026, Ke chatted to the former guild environment officer Julia about the mission and logistical efforts required to bring a large-scale sustainability event to life in 2025. Emma and Rae then revisited their conversations last year at EnviroFest with a diverse range of community organisations to gather their insi...

“There should be no assumed knowledge in the rules” – Nick Godfrey Today, Rae sits down with Nick Godfrey to discuss his work developing a board game that teaches players about physics as covert education. They discuss how he brought together his background in physics and his love for board games to create something he’s passionate about. As every good science communicator considers, Nick reveals...

“When I go into those two different communities, I have to introduce myself differently” – Dr Jarita Holbrook Today, Kate, Rae and Felice sit down with Dr Jarita Holbrook to talk about their experience working with Indigenous communities. They discuss the ways in which researcherscan build connections with Indigenous communities and how communication is imperative in collaboration. They talk about...

“I think of the audience as a fried egg” – Phil Dooley  Today, Clare sits down with Dr Phil Dooley (the current President of the Australian Science Communicators) to discuss art and audiences. Together they explore how science art reaches different audiences and how the ever-changing algorithm impacts who our content reaches. As performers, they discuss how theatre has can be used in science commu...

Keelan investigates what consensus reality is with Holly and Camila and how this relates to our work as science communicators. They delve into the theory behind this concept and discuss the intricacies behind mimesis and fiction. This theoretical discussion touches on all kinds of important concepts such as positionality, the impact of lenses, and the importance of context.   Episode links: If you...

Join Kate (Master of Science Communication student, the University of Western Australia) and Camila (PhD Candidate, the University of Western Australia) as they talk with Alana Dooley about her journey in science communication. They discuss their personal definitions of science communication and the importance of Alana’s Indigenous identity in how she approaches her science communication practice....

Join Emma (PhD Candidate, The University of Western Australia) today as she talks to children’s book author Pamela Freeman. They discuss how Pamela got into writing ecological picture books for children, where her ideas come from, and how they align with the national curriculum. Pamela explains how she best engages children with her books and how her unconventional relationship with her current il...

Let’s get inspired! Ahead of the Innovators’ Tea Party’s ten-year anniversary celebration, join Holly (Master of Science Communication student, The University of Western Australia) as she talks with committee members and mentors about the impact of the Innovators’ Tea Party on Western Australian students interested in STEM and what it’s like being a woman in STEM. Hear right from the students’ mou...

"Science communication is not just about talking to the media; it's about this broader relationship. Food is social, not just scientific." - Dr Heather Bray. In our Summer Shorts bonus season finale, The SciComm Collective’s Kate is joined by guest Dr Heather Bray, Coordinator of UWA's Masters and Minor in Science Communication programs. Taking on the challenge she sets for stude...

“I liked the story of it and that's why I wanted to use that, to present [geology] in a way that was a bit more interesting, a bit more fun.”   - Owen Cumming On this episode of Summer Shorts, join The SciComm Collective’s Clare as she interviews Owen Cumming, a graduate of UWA’s Master of Science Communication program. Owen talks about his journey from environmental science to science communi...

“Learning and practising science communication is core to so much”  - Lotte George Welcome back to Summer Shorts, an exploration of podcasting by UWA science communication students. In this episode, The SciComm Collective’s Kate is joined by UWA Biomedical Sciences graduate Lotte George. Lotte shares how stumbling upon the UWA Tropical Grove during a study break inspired her to make a Shinrin-yoku...

“While I’ve always had this interest in science, I didn’t always feel like it was the most accessible or easily understandable, so I was really drawn to science communication.”  - Felice Ng Join The SciComm Collective’s Clare as she interviews Felice Ng, a UWA student pursuing a Bachelor of Biomedical Science in Pharmacology and Genetics, along with a Science Communication minor. In this episode,...

“Science can be silly, it can be goofy, it can be funny, and interesting!” - Anna Balaguer In Summer Shorts we're exploring the art of podcasting with former UWA Science Presentations unit students. Today’s guest star is Bachelor of Science (Zoology) and Science Communication (Minor) student Anna Balaguer. Join Anna and The SciComm Collective’s Emma as they discuss the inspiration behind Anna&...

How do you evaluate a podcast? What makes a good podcast? Welcome to Summer Shorts, a bonus series brought to you by The SciComm Collective where we explore the art of podcasting with professionals and former students of UWA’s Science Presentations unit. Today, The SciComm Collective's Kate and Emma chat with local podcasters Rockwell "Rocky" McGellin and Rose Kerr about the ins and outs of podcas...

"We all have something to contribute to the enterprise of science and technology." - Ann Grand   Join hosts Emma and Felice as they chat with Dr Ann Grand, Adjunct Associate Professor in Science Communication at UWA and Lead Research Fellow and Policy ​Analyst ​at ​the ​National ​Coordinating ​Centre ​for ​Public ​Engagement in the UK. Discover the evolution of public engagement in science, the im...

You’ve heard about DNA... but what about eDNA? From tracking invasive species to cryptozoology, Professor Neil Gemmell (Geneticist, University of Otago) has explored the science of DNA throughout his academic career. Join Masters student Rae as she picks Neil’s brain on sex-changing fish (spoiler alert: the world is not ready for a Finding Nemo re-make); the importance of building trust between sc...

“We are here behind the scenes to help the science be more accessible, to remind the scientists to listen to the audience.” - Eugenie Au   Ke chats with Eugenie Au, a graduate of the UWA Master of Science Communication and now a science communicator at WA’s King’s Park and Botanic Garden. We dive into her amazing journey from being a wildlife biology guide in Canada to her current gig in Australia...

"The public is diagnosed as ignorant of and lacking interest in science. The main symptoms of the condition are aversion, anxiety and mistrust. The prescribed cure: Science pills." - Marko Ahteensuu (2011) What is science communication's Deficit Model, and why does it sound so ominous? Join UWA Master of SciComm students Kelly, Holly, and Kate as we discuss the Deficit Model, why it presents chall...

“Seadragons are a great entry point for people to learn more about marine biology and conservation.” -  Chrissy Tustison Dive into the secret lives of seadragons in our latest episode! This week, Master of SciComm student Emma sits down with PhD candidate Chrissy Tustison (The University of Western Australia & Scripps Institution of Oceanography) to discuss Chrissy's passion for studying t...

“Find those things that light you up. Find your community.” - Heather Bray  What is science communication? How and why do we get involved? In this episode, Holly, Kate, and our guest Dr Heather Bray, Senior Lecturer and Coordinator of Science Communication at The University of Western Australia, discuss Heather’s journey into research and academia, the power of subjectivity, and how science commun...