Are you looking at how to apply your academic training to a new and impactful field? Or maybe you’re eager to share your passion for science with the local community as a side gig? We have brought together three fantastic science communicators working in areas ranging from science journalism to knowledge translation and policy development. They are eager to share their stories; all you have to do is bring your questions, for an afternoon of participant guided adventure.

Whether you are new to science communications or looking to expand your network, this event will have something for you! We will begin the afternoon with a Q & A panel with notable sci-com professionals, and follow it with a series of intimate break out room sessions. Ultimately, we hope to get your creative juices flowing, and if you don’t learn something new, maybe you will find the right collaboration to create something new! Schedule and speaker bios below.

Pannelists

Kimberly Girling

Kimberly Girling is the Interim Executive Director at Evidence for Democracy, a non-profit organization promoting the use of evidence in government decisions. She completed a PhD in Neuroscience from the University of British Columbia and became passionate about science policy during her work as a scientist, leading her to participate in the Mitacs Canadian Science Policy Fellowship. Over the years, she’s worked on a wide variety of science and policy topics including neurodegeneration, drug policy, harm reduction, human enhancement and scicomm.

Micheal Robin

Michael Robin turned a lifetime fascination of all things science into a career. This gets him into cool research facilities he would otherwise have no business being in, under the pretext of writing stories about scientists and their work. To get away with this he’s developed some pretty darned good storytelling skills. Over his 30-plus-year career, Michael has worked as writer, editor, photographer, and owner for various newspapers, magazines, university and industry publications, most notably in agriculture and biotechnology. He now operates his own consultancy as an independent writer, editor, strategist and mentor.

Sunita LeGallaou

Sunita LeGallou is the producer and host of the podcast Music for PhDs. With a background in science, and a lifelong love of the arts, she live-paints to classical music. She has worked in environmental consulting for over ten years, with experience in project management, business development, and organizational excellence, and is currently a Public Programmer at the Telus Spark Science Centre in Calgary.

Moderators

Pooja Bhatti

Pooja Bhatti has helped celebrate and spread science communication in Vancouver since 2016, through her work as the Vancouver Social Media Maverick of Science Slam Canada. She has completed a BSc in Physiology and Neuroscience from the University of British Columbia, as well as a Human Resource Management Diploma from the British Columbia Institute of Technology. She hopes to utilize her two backgrounds in assisting future scientists in landing their dream jobs.

Miranda Stahn

Miranda Stahn, has been a passionate science communicator since her early 20’s when she worked as a Science Demonstrator performing live shows for the Telus World of Science Edmonton. She has since completed both a BSc in Cell Biology and an MSc in Chemical Engineering from the University of Alberta, but has continued to bolster her communication training by attending the Banff Centre for The Arts Science Communication Program (Beakerhead 2019), amongst other workshops. Miranda is presently affiliated with many local and national science communication and advocacy organizations including: Science Slam Canada, WISEST, SOAR Networking and SWCC.