Comics : a tool for science communication?
Are science comics a relevant tool to disseminate science? May science communication and education use efficiently comics as a mean, a tool, a media? It seems like it is worth a try. Enjoy the research work of M. Tatalovic.
Here is again a nice animation video of an FP7 project. ACTIVE is a research project which aims to increase productivity of knowledge workers. The video explains how ACTIVE’s solution can reduce information overload, establish effective knowledge management, and improve the overall performance of entreprises.
(video posted on Youtube by Eurescom)
Source: youtube.com
Word to the wise : infography is now easy
I have just tried this afternoon a new online tool for people to make infographies by themselves. Infography is great way to present data in a visual and even esthetical way. Within 20 minuts, I was able to make the infography you can watch above. I am very satisfied and I encourage you to try yourself to give your data some more visual impact.
Here is the free beta version of the service I used : easel.ly and here is video which presents the service. Really it’s worth a try, I recommand it!
Researcher : work on your elevator pitch
#ESOF2012. The European Science Open Forum in Dublin last week was the opportunity for me to attend to an all range of science sessions and workshops. But I did happen to go to what was called the “Forum”; some organisations had their booths there. A good place for networking actually. Here I would only like to share something I’ve seen there, something you might not be familiar with : the elevator pitch.
Do you wonder what elevator pitch exactly is? Here is what wikipedia states :
“an elevator pitch is a short summary used to quickly and simply define a product, service, or organization and its value proposition. The name “elevator pitch” reflects the idea that it should be possible to deliver the summary in time span of an elevator ride, or approximately thirty seconds to two minutes.” Source
The European Science Foundation had settled in its booth a little video studio. Students and PhDs could stop by, perform their elevator pitch about their research and have it taped on a video, and finally uploaded on a dedicated youtube channel.
EU Badbuzz : “Science it’s a girl thing!”
Brussels, 21 June 2012, European Commission press release announces the launch of the so-called “Science : it’s a girl thing” campaign, aiming to attract young women to scientific careers. Watch the highly controversial trailer-video.
Although intentions of the EU are good, boost and balance presence of women in labs (Have a look on EU Commission graph, fore instance women are underepresented in PhDs), the trailer campaign was considered an offense, insulting women and scientists at once. The schocking video was very fast and widely badbuzzing all around social media.
The European Commission wanted this video to go viral, I think the goal was achieved, maybe not in the right way though. Many people responded to this video, widely claimed a sexist, stereotyped, stupid, insulting video.
Here are some tweets picked up and storified by by Maryn McKenna for instance which witness how bad the feedbacks are. Just like here too in CBC News Community storify as well about the same topic. Here for French readers is a very good storify by Marine Soichot who seems to be very pissed.
In addition, read yourself media coverage of the outrage by Wired UK, the Telegraph, Nature, The Washington Post, New Stateman, The Huffington Post UK…
At least, so that this all viral thing was not for all nothing, please go and check out the youtube channel campaign. The controversial video was of course erased. Here are however some videos which show some real women in real science. Let’s hope the sexist video was only a desperate attempt to attract attention on real topic. I really hope so. And still!
Let’s finish this post with the reaction in video of the Astronomer Dr Meghan Gray, giving her view on the all “Science it’s a girl thing” gate. An d yet, make no mistakes, she is a girl AND a scientist!
Dissemination and Science comics
SOA4All is a research project funded by the European Commission which deals with the “Future of Internet”. To get to know more about this project, watch the video. I hope it inspires you. As you can see, educational animation video can be a very successful way to tell to a wide audience what your research is about.
SOA4All in the Future Internet of Services (par semantictechnology)
Source: youtube.com
Are you aware of Science News Cycle?
Just like there is the cycle of water, you all know, there is the Science news cycle, you might not know. This infography shows the key points eveyone should know about what is happening after your research results are disseminated.
Source : http://www.phdcomics.com
