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Demolishing science communication barriers for the benefit of society

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Tsholofelo Mophosho
Nov 12, 2020

What in your view is the importance of applying strategy when it comes to science communication to guard against doing activities for the sake of it but rather, to ensure it is effective and impactful. Further what tools can be used to measure this impact?

Masilo Kgatle
Nov 12, 2020

Now that 4IR and Covid-19 has changed the focus and the normal way of doing things, what are we implementing to engage the illiterate and technologically challenged publics?

As a science communicators, do you believe in storytelling as an effective tool to engage the public as compared to other media channels?

Chanel, do you narrate your stories based on the targeted audience or for the entire layman in a layman’s language?

Masilo Kgatle
Nov 12, 2020

Q1. To Ketakane:
What channels can you identify for use during the transfer of knowledge and engaging the rural publics?
Because of Covid-19, science communication has shifted again from face-to-face engagement to virtual which is an impediment for reach to some rural communities. Therefore, what will you suggest as a drive to instill the public engagement looking at the barriers such as expensive data, poor networks and translation of scientific terms into layman’s language.
On the issue of using indigenous knowledge, don’t you think it might have an effect as they write exams in English ?

Q2. To Lebo:
Do you think trust is reduced because of the translation which doesn’t use their language or wrong information.
Are scientists able to narrate their stories about their work to the public or they focus on peers in the same fields?
What will you say if the reason why scientists don’t give out information is because of policies in their institutions. Some institutions have policies on what to share as they are from national key-points.

Q3. To Zamo:
SAASTA owns outreach programs on behalf of DSI country wide and there is a huge interaction emerging from the use of vernacular in rural areas. Does the use of such indigenous languages enhance the pass rate or just create interest and awareness of science?
Science is communicated and taught in English which according to my experience, scares the rural kids as they think its for brighter leaners who can speak it fluently only. What are the ways in which all the identified barriers can be defeated.

Kekeletso Makau
Nov 12, 2020

Hello, my question is does the CSIR have any capacity building initiatives, resources (online) and /or workshops for upcoming /entry level science communicators?

    Kgauhelo Dioka
    Nov 12, 2020

    Hi Keletso, the CSIR works closely with an organisation that specialises in this. The South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA). Zamuxolo from SAASTA will be making an opeoing shortly on their initiatives for upcoming science communicators. You can also contact him on [email protected].

Kgauhelo Dioka
Nov 12, 2020

Hi everyone. Thanks for joining this session on demolishing science communication barriers.
Please drop your questions here, and, should we be unable to respond to all questions due to time constraints, please send your questions to [email protected]

    Rethabile Mokoena
    Nov 12, 2020

    Hi, will these presentation or talk be accessible at a later stage in some way? I’m having a difficult time with my connection and this is such a valuable resource that I’d like to listen to in its entirety. Thank you.

      Kgauhelo Dioka
      Nov 12, 2020

      Hi Rethabile. Yes, the session will be available as content on demand tomorrow morning on csir75.co.za

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