The NRF- South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (NRF-SAIAB) recently hosted a science communication workshop facilitated by Jive Africa, bringing together researchers and science communicators to explore effective approaches to communicate scientific knowledge and new research findings to diverse audiences.
The workshop was facilitated by Dr. Nehemiah Latolla, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Physiology Department in the Faculty of Science at Nelson Mandela University, and Ina Skosana, an award winning South African journalist and News Editor at Health-e News Service. It brought together close to 30 participants from across the NRF’s National Facilities, including the NRF-SAASTA, Cofimvaba Science Centre, as well as researchers and science communicators.
The workshop focused on the value of combining scientific knowledge with effective storytelling and audience-centered communication, helping participants present research in accessible and engaging ways. I provided practical tools and storytelling structures, as well as tips for simplifying scientific information for the general public while retaining its key messages. Participants also had the opportunity to explore approaches for communicating complex scientific concepts in ways that are clear, understandable, and meaningful to different audiences.
The importance of the workshop was also highlighted by participants, Nqobile Tembe, Public Relations Officer at the National Research Foundation (NRF), said: “The workshop provided a lot of valuable and applicable information that researchers and scientists can use when communicating their research pursuits or discoveries. Even for people like me, who assist in framing and bringing such communication to life, it was a much-needed refresher session to remind us of what is key in science communication and why making research work accessible and palatable for the public is becoming more and more crucial. Because, if research is meant to impact society, then people need to understand it and what it means for their environment.”
One of the NRF-SAIAB interns, Simphiwe Mbola, also highlighted the value of the workshop, saying: “The science communication workshop was very informative. It taught me about the importance of communicating research findings to the public and it also taught me how to communicate those findings effectively.”
The workshop was funded by the NRF – South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (NRF-SAASTA) and hosted by NRF-SAIAB in Makhanda. The initiative forms part of NRF-SAASTA’s efforts to strengthen science communication skills among NRF staff and support initiatives that build capacity in communicating science effectively. By investing in opportunities such as this workshop, NRF-SAASTA is helping researchers and science communicators develop the skills needed to make scientific knowledge more accessible, engaging, and relevant to different audiences.
Participants at the NRF-SAIAB Science Communication Workshop facilitated by Jive Media Africa.
