A macroscopic view of the SCANZ Conference

Last week a several of us attended the annual SCANZ (Scientific Communicators Association of NZ) Conference held at the University of Auckland law faculty. Coming from a background in healthcare and science, this was right up my alley.

Day one kicked off with Professor Funk (aka Daniel Keogh), whose aim in life is to make science fun and interesting for everyone. He used a number of videos to highlight the power of new media for delivering scientific messages – a couple of the best included one on whether expensive beer tastes better and a viral video on the different meanings of words. He also shared an elaborate hoax his team had played on the Australian media, centred around a gullibility survey – a large number of Aussie media outlets ran the story without checking any sources. Makes you think about what you read in the paper or see on TV! Check out his YouTube channel for more – The Professor Funk’s Channel.

Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, the Prime Minister’s Scientific Advisor, spoke about the importance of accurate science communication to the public’s understanding of science, and raised a number of interesting issues, including nuclear power generation and GM foods and their role in addressing global food issues over the coming decades. He raised the real need for good rational public information, a respect for evidence-based research, and debate around such issues so that the government is able to make decisions the public are comfortable with. He also indicated that science and technology are at the heart of fixing many social, financial and economic issues.

There were several panel discussions throughout the conference, one with a handful of media talking about what has worked for them in the past, another “controversial” panel formed of those who have been at odds with science and research discussing their views, and a group discussing how they have had to move beyond defensiveness when the public is bitterly divided on an issue and the science itself is under the microscope. Of particular interest on the latter panel was Vicki Hyde from the NZ Skeptics (formerly the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal – which made them sound a bit like they were UFO hunting!). According to her, pseudoscience stories are much better than science stories as they are often emotive and personal, and more open to exaggeration and untruths. She reiterated that we need to find the interesting angles that will appeal to the average lay person and the importance of key message repetition in any  and all conversations.

Some of the more interesting quotes and facts I garnered from the conference included:
• “If you have an accent you are considered more of an expert in NZ.” – Graeme Hill, Radio Live
• “Easy on relationships but hard on the issues.” – Joe Harawira from Sawmill Workers Against Poison on how to get government officials to engage on an issue
• Q: What makes a New Zealand summer sound different to anywhere else in the world? A: Cicadas!
• “Everyone knows their star sign, but only a handful know their blood type – which is more important to your survival?” – Vicki Hyde, NZ Skeptics
• The global temperature has increased by 0.91 degrees in the past 100 years, and is expected to rise by 2 degrees between 2015 and 2050

All in all, it was an interesting couple of days out of the office and validated some of the work we have been working with our clients.