Speaker
Description
This interactive workshop invites science communicators to critically evaluate how systemic inequalities in science shape who is seen, heard, and included in public engagement, and how these inequities affect communication practices. Participants will engage in a facilitated “inclusion hackathon,” working in small groups to identify barriers, co-create actionable principles, and translate them into strategies for their professional roles. Expected outcomes include a collective list of principles, a qualitative dataset, and an invitation to contribute to a potential post-session article or communication.
Relevance of the Workshop
Traditional diversity discussions often focus on presence rather than how systemic inequities influence participation and visibility. This workshop aims to address structural questions: How do gender, disability, class, geography, and intersecting factors shape who is heard? How do these inequities manifest in communication and outreach?
Goals
- Evaluate how structural inequalities in science affect communication practices.
- Explore multiple intersecting dimensions of diversity (gender, language, geography, accessibility, intersectionality).
- Co-create actionable principles applicable in participants’ professional contexts.
Expected Outcomes
- A set of inclusion principles tied to communication practice.
- A qualitative dataset (recordings —upon consent by participants—, written material, votes) for analysis and potential collaborative publication.
Preliminary Format
STEP 1: WELCOME & ICE BREAKER
Chairs welcome participants in a room with five tables, and five posters hanging with provocative messages regarding each diversity dimension. Participants read the posters, stand by one that resonates, introduce themselves, and explain their choice. Chairs present the session's goals and invite participants to join a table (one dedicated to each dimension).
STEP 2: HACKATHON — EXPLORATION & DESIGN
Tables have a large paper and markers. Exploration phase start with guided questions: Who is excluded? What barriers exist? Who benefits? How do these inequities affect communication? Once evaluated and written, participants convert insights into 5–8 clear, positive, action-oriented principles defining what (action), where/for whom (context/target), and how it improves inclusion.
STEP 3: GALLERY WALK & VOTING
The posters with the principles are hung on the walls. Participants receive 3 voting stickers (gold, silver, bronze), and are invited to read and vote those that consider a priority. Chairs summarise top-voted principles (max. 10) and facilitate discussion, e.g. which actions can participants implement, which dimensions were underexplored.
STEP 4: CLOSING & COMMITMENTS
Participants write 1-2 commitments on a post-it for a “Commitment Wall.” Chairs invite participants to leave contact info for follow-up and potential contribution to post-session analysis or publication.
Workshops only: Equipment
5 work tables with, at least, 5 chairs per table; one microphone per table; paper, markers and post-it notes; options for displaying posters (e.g. poster boards, easel, or wall space); projector.
| Workshops only: Duration | 2h |
|---|---|
| Workshops only: participants | 10-25 |
