Feature Friday: Black In Science Communication Week

Featured image from @BlackInSciComm‘s Twitter page

Next week, from the 4th to the 10th of October is a very exciting week: it’s Black In Science Communication Week!

It all started with Raven Baxter, a molecular biologist and amazing science communicator, finishing her PhD in science education. She’s an active tweeter at @Ravenscimaven, and founded Black In Sci Comm (BISC) to amplify Black voices in the science communication community. BISC is driven by volunteers and sponsors.

The intention of the week is to spotlight SciCommers in the Black community, but the events are not just for people of colour. Allies of the Black community are welcome! Make sure you check this website to refresh your understanding of the responsibility and roles of allyship.

Events

The week is jam-packed with awesome events, including workshops like “So You’re Interested in SciComm” and “Science Improv”, and panel discussions like “Communicating Science on Digital Platforms” and “Science Writing”, and many more!

All the events are free and will be hosted on Whistle, a Black-owned web conferencing platform.

Competition

They’re also hosting a Lightning Talk Competition! You have two minutes to communicate a science concept, and there’s $1,000 in prizes to be won, with categories for high-school, undergraduate and graduate levels. Read more on the terms and guidelines here. The winners will be announced on Saturday the 10th of October at 5pm Eastern Time (8am on Sunday in AEDT) during the Outreach Event and Awards Ceremony.

Mini-Grants

BISC has also partnered with COMPASS to award three $500 mini-grants to science communicators during Black In Sci Comm Week to science communicators who have projects that need support. Check out their website here for more details and the application link! The winners will also be announced in the Outreach Event and Awards Ceremony at 8am AEDT on Sunday the 11th.

Profiles

You’ll also find profiles awesome Black science communicators on the BISC website. The purpose of this is to help build the community, share their work, and serve as a contact list if you’re looking for a SciCommer for speaking, mentoring or training opportunities. Get in touch with them, follow their work, build the community and invite them to speak at your next event!

Black In Science Communication Week runs from the 4th – 10th of October, with online events across the week. Follow them on Twitter @BlackInSciComm, follow the hashtag #BlackInSciCommWeek and sign up for their free events here.

I hope to see some of you there!

– Written by Rosie Arnold