Shows / Let's Talk SciComm
Let's Talk SciComm
Hosted by Associate Professor Jen Martin and Dr Michael Wheeler, Let’s Talk SciComm is a podcast from the University of Melbourne’s Science Communication Teaching Program. Listen for advice, tips and interviews about how to communicate science in effective and engaging ways. Show notes, transcripts and more info: https://science.unimelb.edu.au/engage/lets-talk-scicomm-podcast
Episodes
- Let's Talk SciComm
157. Interview with urban ecologist and science communicator Dr Kylie Soanes
This week we were delighted (and a little bit starstruck) to be joined by Dr Kylie Soanes: conservation biologist, urban ecologist and self-described “friendly…
Let's Talk SciComm156. Listen To This If… You Need To Introduce A Speaker
Been asked to introduce a speaker: at a conference, on a panel, or at an event big or small, and want to get it right? In this short episode, Jen and Michael…
- Let's Talk SciComm
155. Interview with science communicator and author Aśka
This week we were delighted to be joined by the wonderful Aśka (pronounced 'Ash-ka'; she/they): award-winning comics maker, visual storyteller, science…
Let's Talk SciComm154. Listen To This If… Someone Says ‘So What?' About Your Science
Ever had someone you care about listen to you talk about your work and ask, "so what?". It stings, but what if it's actually a gift? In this short episode, Jen…
- Let's Talk SciComm
153. Interview with comedian and science communicator Alanta Colley
This week we were thrilled to be joined by the wonderful Alanta Colley - Naarm/ Melbourne-based comedian, science communicator and storyteller, and living…
Let's Talk SciComm152. Listen To This If… You’re preparing for your thesis oral defence
Preparing for your thesis oral defence (the viva, the oral exam, whatever it's called in your neck of the woods) and quietly dreading it? In this short…
- Let's Talk SciComm
151. Interview with native bee researcher and performer Dr Kit Prendergast
This week we were absolutely delighted (and, we'll admit, a little starstruck) to sit down with Dr Kit Prendergast: native bee researcher, taxonomist…
Let's Talk SciComm150. Listen To This If… You’re Struggling With Perfectionism
Perfectionism isn't all bad — it usually means you care deeply about your work. The trouble starts when it tips into paralysis and nothing ever makes it out…
- Let's Talk SciComm
149. Interview with marine biologist and science comedian Forrest Shaw
We're kicking off Season 20 with a guest whose career path we found completely fascinating. Forrest Shaw is a stand-up comedian and writer whose comedy career…
Let's Talk SciComm148. Listen To This If… You’re Facing A Big Deadline
Staring down a big deadline and suddenly overcome by the urge to tidy your desk, reorganise your bookshelf, or look up random facts? You're in good company. In…
Let's Talk SciComm147. Interview with science communicator and Miscible founder Molly Patton
This week we were thrilled to be joined by the wonderful Molly Patton - founder, sci-comm lead and producer at Miscible, a Melbourne-based science…
Let's Talk SciComm146. Listen To This If… You’re Preparing for a Radio Interview
Been invited to talk about your research on the radio? Congratulations, and welcome to the world of "wild listeners." In this short episode, Jen and Michael…
- Let's Talk SciComm
145. Interview with anthropologist, neuroscientist and board game inventor Dr Paul Mason
This week we were thrilled to chat with the wonderfully interdisciplinary Dr Paul Mason: anthropologist, neuroscientist, medical researcher, and inventor of a…
Let's Talk SciComm144. Listen To This If… You Want To Explain Your Science Without "Dumbing It Down"
"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…
- Let's Talk SciComm
143. Interview with astrometallurgist Dr Matt Shaw
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…
Let's Talk SciComm142. Listen To This If… You feel like an imposter
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…
- Let's Talk SciComm
141. Interview with The Weekend Birder host and creator Kirsty Costa
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…
Let's Talk SciComm140. Listen To This If...You Want To Up Your Email Game
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…
- Let's Talk SciComm
139. Interview with scicomm researcher and evolutionary linguist Dr Hannah Little
This week we were lucky enough to have an absolutely fascinating conversation with Dr Hannah Little. Hannah has been researching science communication for…
Let's Talk SciComm138. Listen To This If… You Want to Disagree with Someone Effectively
Disagreements are part of life, and science communication. Whether you’re talking about vaccines, climate change, or just what counts as the best breakfast…
- Let's Talk SciComm
137. Interview with ecologist and author Professor Deb Bower
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…
Let's Talk SciComm136. Listen To This If… You Need To Prepare for Question Time
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…
- Let's Talk SciComm
135. Interview with parasitologist and artist Dr Tommy Leung
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…
Let's Talk SciComm134. Listen To This If…You Get Invited To Talk With A Journalist
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…
- Let's Talk SciComm
133. Interview with science communicator Emma Donnelly
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…
Let's Talk SciComm132. Listen To This If… Networking feels scary (or just a bit icky)
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…
- Let's Talk SciComm
131. Interview with "Bee Man" Clancy Lester
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…
Let's Talk SciComm130. Listen To This If… you’re struggling to find the story in your research
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…
- Let's Talk SciComm
129. Interview with balloon scientist Dr Chloe Lim
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…
Let's Talk SciComm128. Listen To This If Your Paper or Grant Just Got Rejected
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…
- Let's Talk SciComm
127. Interview with cell biologist and science communicator Tina Katsaros
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…
Let's Talk SciComm126. Listen To This If…You need to write a 100-word lay summary
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…
- Let's Talk SciComm
125. Interview with artist, author and scientist Dr James O’Hanlon
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…
Let's Talk SciComm124. Listen To This If…. You need to say no to an invitation
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…
- Let's Talk SciComm
123. Interview with Dr. Tullio Rossi about AI in scicomm
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…
Let's Talk SciComm122. Listen to This If….. Your family doesn’t understand what you do at work or uni
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…
- Let's Talk SciComm
121. Interview with Communications Advisor Rebecca Colless
This week we loved chatting with Bec Colless, who has 30+ years’ experience in science communication, research translation and IP commercialisation, public and…
Let's Talk SciComm120. Listen to This If… You Need a Killer Headline
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…
- Let's Talk SciComm
119. Interview with medical entomologist Dr Véronique Paris
This week we were thrilled to chat with Dr Véronique Paris who is a medical entomologist studying Australian vector mosquitoes in the Pest & Environmental…
Let's Talk SciComm118. Listen To This If… You’ve Just Received Negative Feedback
If you’ve just been hit with negative feedback, you’re probably feeling a bit winded, and that’s completely normal. Whether it came from a colleague, a…
- Let's Talk SciComm
117. Interview with science writer and performer Dr Phil Dooley
Welcome to Season 16 of Let’s Talk SciComm. We are thrilled to be launching our next season and have a great selection of episodes in store for you to enjoy…
Let's Talk SciComm116. Listen To This If…You’re trying to choose a PhD topic
Have you decided a PhD is the right thing for you? Congratulations! Now it’s time to make decisions about what you’re going to spend the next three of four…
- Let's Talk SciComm
115. Interview with neuroscientist and author Dr Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston
This week we have the great pleasure of speaking with Dr Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston, a neuroscientist based in Melbourne, Australia, and the author of The…
Let's Talk SciComm114. Listen To This If You've fallen out of love with science and need to rekindle your curiosity
Feeling like you’ve lost your love of science? Wondering if you should be doing something different? Wishing you felt the same passion you used to feel for…
- Let's Talk SciComm
113. Interview with Communications and Partnerships Manager, Troy Beer
This week we had a fascinating chat with Troy Beer whose diverse experiences have led him from digital content creation to communication lead roles across…
Let's Talk SciComm112. Listen To This If You Need to Recover Your Confidence After Giving a Bad Talk
Still thinking about a talk you gave that didn’t go as well as you’d hoped? Maybe you’re dreading your next talk as a result? In this episode we tackle the…
- Let's Talk SciComm
111. Interview with early career scientist and science communicator Dr Kira Hughes
This week we loved chatting with Dr Kira Hughes, an aerobiologist and award-winning science communicator who is passionate about helping other researchers…
Let's Talk SciComm110. Listen To This If You’re Preparing a 3MT talk
So the time has come to really nail your 3MT talk? Perhaps you’ve progressed from your local final to a Grand Final? Congratulations! Take five minutes to tune…
- Let's Talk SciComm
109. Interview with ‘Mother of Sharks’ Melissa Cristina Márquez
Welcome to Season 15 of Let’s Talk SciComm. We’re so thrilled to be back with another season after a bit of a break. To get the season off to a wonderful…
Let's Talk SciComm108. Listen To This If… You need to write about a topic that’s been done to death
Are you working on a piece of writing and feel like everyone else has already written about the same thing? Are you looking for a way to make the topic fresh?…
Let's Talk SciComm107. Listen To This If… You need to work effectively in a group
Have you got a group project coming up? Maybe you’ve had some bad experiences of working in a team before and you’re wondering how to make it better this time?…
Let's Talk SciComm106. Listen To This If… You’re searching for motivation
Have you lost your motivation? Do you need to get lots of things done, but you’re finding it hard to get started? Wondering how to get your mojo back? Stop for…
Let's Talk SciComm105. Listen To This If… You want to kickstart your career
Are you graduating soon, or have you recently graduated? Are you looking for ways to get ahead in your career? Take a five-minute break to listen to Jen and…
Let's Talk SciComm104. Listen To This If… You want to make your writing more conversational
Is your writing too formal? Too boring? Or too hard to read? Have you been given the feedback that you need to make your writing more conversational? Take five…
Let's Talk SciComm103. Listen To This If… You’re feeling overwhelmed by a big task
It's that time of year when many of us are feeling overwhelmed by our to-do lists. If you have a big task on your list that you’re struggling to make headway…
Let's Talk SciComm102. Listen To This If… Your powerpoint slides are BORING
Got a talk coming up? Worried your powerpoint slides are boring? Think your audience might get distracted or even doze off while you’re talking? Stop for 5…
Let's Talk SciComm101. Listen To This If… You want to start a new habit
Keen to start a new habit? Maybe you want to exercise regularly, read more papers or get more writing done? Well, if you’ve got 5 minutes, Jen and Michael are…
- Let's Talk SciComm
100. Twenty questions with Jen and Michael
Three years later and we couldn’t be more excited to be sharing Episode 100 of Let’s Talk SciComm with you. We are so proud to still be creating this podcast…
- Let's Talk SciComm
99. Our scicomm highs and lows - with the UniMelbSciComm teaching team
It’s hard to believe this is the 99th episode of Let’s Talk SciComm! As you can imagine, we are very excited to still be producing our podcast three years and…
- Let's Talk SciComm
98. Interview with speech pathologist Dr Georgie Johnson
This week we had a fascinating conversation with speech pathologist and science communicator Dr Georgie Johnson. Georgie is a clinical researcher with an…