Filter by author: Heather Bray

Search results

• Date of publication Aug 18, 2025 Category: Article

  “It's having conversations that I like with people I like": exploring the motivations of Australian science podcasters

  by Crystal Ngo , Ann Grand , Heather Bray

  Science podcasts have become an increasingly popular channel for science communication. Although podcasting has risen in popularity, little is known about why science podcasters choose to pursue this pathway for communication and how they set about achieving their goals for their podcast. Drawing on qualitative data from interviews with 20 science podcasters in Australia, our results reveal that the podcasters are mainly driven by personal factors such as their interest in, enjoyment of, and curiosity about science and that while they employ various tactics to achieve their goals, they do not consciously consider these tactics to be a form of strategic science communication.

  Volume 24 • Issue 04 • 2025

• Date of publication Dec 11, 2023 Category: Article

  The distribution of science communication teaching around the globe

  by Luisa Massarani , Heather Bray , Marina Joubert , Andy Ridgway , Joseph Roche , Fiona Smyth , Elizabeth Stevenson , Frans van Dam , Willian Vieira de Abreu

  In the context of a special issue of this journal focused on teaching science communication, we present a map of the geographical distribution of 122 science communication teaching programmes from 31 countries around the world. This mapping study resulted from a collaboration between members of the PCST Teaching Forum and the research team at GlobalSCAPE, a research project funded by the European Commission to explore the global state of science communication. Our findings highlight the concentration of these programmes in the U.S.A. and Europe, and the dominance of English as the language of instruction. We ponder the causes and implications of the disparities in opportunities for studying science communication in other world regions and languages. The dearth of science communication educational pathways in developing countries may limit the professionalisation of the field, as well as research and evidence-based practice that is locally needed and relevant.

  Volume 22 • Issue 06 • 2023 • Special Issue: Science communication in higher education: global perspectives on the teaching of science communication (Teaching Science Communication)

• Date of publication Jun 12, 2023 Category: Conference Review

  Hindsight, Insight, Foresight: Australian Science Communicators (ASC) Conference 2023

  by Lisa Bailey , Heather Bray

  The recent conference of the Australian Science Communicators (ASC) association (15–17 February 2023) held in Canberra was an opportunity for the 140 delegates to reflect on a decade of the national strategy for public engagement with the sciences, “Inspiring Australia”, and consider the future role for science communicators in the Australian science and research landscape. The conference was the first in-person conference since the COVID-19 pandemic, and other discussions focused on the role of AI in science communication and the importance of networks.

  Volume 22 • Issue 02 • 2023

• Date of publication Nov 14, 2022 Category: Article

  Exploring scientists’ perceptions of citizen science for public engagement with science

  by Stephanie A. Collins , Miriam Sullivan , Heather Bray

  It is often assumed that citizen science is inherently participatory in nature. However, citizen science projects exist along a continuum from data contribution to full co-creation. We invited 19 biologists to explore their conceptions of citizen science. Almost all participants defined citizen science as involving non-scientists in data collection. This definition acted as a barrier for scientists who did not see how citizen science could suit their research objectives. While interviewees perceived many societal and experiential benefits of contributory citizen science, deliberate design is needed to realise the full potential of citizen science for public engagement.

  Volume 21 • Issue 07 • 2022

• Date of publication Oct 19, 2022 Category: Article

  Telling our story: communicators’ perceptions of challenges and solutions for sustainability communication within the Australian beef industry

  by Taylah Faulkner , Bradd Witt , Heather J. Bray

  Sustainability communication has been an increasing focus globally for many diverse and complex resource-based industries, including beef production, due to an increase in public scrutiny. However, this has received limited research interest. This study, drawing on in-depth interviews, explores key internal and external stakeholders’ perceptions of sustainability communication challenges using the Australian beef industry as a case study. Diverse views about public perceptions, the role of communications in trust, and internal issues reflect challenges such as industry culture, isolation, and industry complexity and breadth. This research highlights and discusses a range of sustainability communication issues in complex contexts.

  Volume 21 • Issue 06 • 2022