June 2014 - Jive Media Africa

Science Communication Training – We mind the gap

Closing the gap between science and society…

Jive Media Africa has been privileged to be running science communication training sessions around the country. It has been a creative and rewarding experience to see the shifts that take place. From writing for popular audiences to public speaking and even extending to other creative approaches, Jive Media Africa is sought after to help scientists and science organisations get creative about engaging public audiences.

Current and recent training work has included:

The CSIR (the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research). In partnership with Proof Communications, Jive Media Africa completed a series of science communication and media training workshops around the country for the CSIR. It’s been an exciting time working with scientists at the cutting edge of their disciplines – helping them navigate the stormy sea between their science and the world out there.

University of Pretoria – Hands on Science Communication Workshop for Early Career Academics – at the invitation of Marina Joubert (Southern Science) Robert Inglis has assisted with an innovative University of Pretoria programme to get early career researchers thinking about how to communicate their science to public audiences. There will be a follow-up in August when the researchers do a trial run of their science communication ideas.

Nanothechnology Public Engagement Programme – Rhodes University. Robert Inglis and Prof. Janice Limson conducted training with young nanotechnologists from Rhodes University about writing for popular audiences. Prof. Harry Dugmore from the Rhodes Journalism school gave insight from a Journalism perspective while Robert and Janice gave input from their experiences as science communicators.

FameLab – around the country for the FameLab 2014 project, alongside SAASTA’s Daryl Illbury and at the FameLab 2014 Finalists’ Masterclasses, alongside international trainer Malcolm Love. Working with great South African researchers doing great South African science!

For more information on our science communication training workshops please call Robert Inglis or email us.

June 24, 2014/by Jive Media

Comics, Media Production, Print Media, Public Engagement

UNODC Everyday Heroes

Jive Media Africa designed and implemented a ground-breaking communication campaign for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in association with the National Dept of Social Development (DSD).

The Everyday Heroes Comic Book Campaign highlights the role of communities in supporting victims of crime and violence.

There are six comic books in the series: Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Child Sexual Abuse, Human Trafficking, Abuse of Older Persons and Abuse of People with Disabilities.

These comics have been translated into six South Africa languages.

writing for education

The contract also involved developing a website, animatics, a distribution strategy, as well as carrying out a pilot project and M&E.

June 19, 2014/by Jive Media

Media & Film, Print Media, Science Communication

South African National Space Agency – SANSA

Jive Media Africa is excited to be working with SANSA (The South African National Space Agency) to grow Space Science and Engineering in South Africa.

Did you know that we, South Africa, take over communications with NASA’s rockets soon after launch when they come round to our side of the planet? … And did you know that we’ve got eyes in the sky which are constantly feeding us information to help us plan and respond to development issues? … And did you know that we’ll soon be sending a South African to the International Space Station?

Jive Media Africa, in partnership with Proof Communications, developed a communications strategy for SANSA, as well as assisting in the production of newsletters and print products.

June 18, 2014/by Jive Media

Media & Film, Print Media

Workshops for Parents – MIET

The Media in Education Trust (MiET Africa) conducts workshops with parents of school-going children to support them to engage with their children’s education. Jive Media Africa was contracted to develop a training programme for these parents, many of whom did not themselves have an opportunity to attend school.

To address this challenge we created a series of “picture-building” exercises, where parents discuss topics and then build pictures representing key learnings – the programme has been highly successful and we recently completed a second set of resources which deal with topics including teenage pregnancy, nutrition, parenting adolescents, financial management and creating environments conducive to learning.

The programme is already being rolled out in other regions of the sub-continent.

June 18, 2014/by Jive Media

Exhibitions

PACSA Archive Exhibition

The history of the Pietermaritzburg Agency for Community Social Action (PACSA) takes place against the backdrop of the tumultuous events of the 1980’s, 90’s and 2000’s as South Africa experienced the destructive power of the Apartheid system, its death throes and finally the birth of a new political dispensation. Today, 35 years since its inception in 1979, it continues to challenge the Pietermaritzburg community to think critically about development and social justice issues.

Recently PACSA, in association with the Alan Paton Centre at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, created an archive of material relating to this dramatic history. Jive Media Africa was commissioned to develop an exhibition to make this material accessible to wide audiences. The final result: “PACSA – Stories of Crisis and Compassion” is a series of wall banners which are now housed at the PACSA offices and which draw archival elements which act as a reminder for those who were there and in inspiration and encouragement to those who continue to work for justice.

writing a research paper

To read more on the Archive Exhibition or to view the gallery of photographs click here

June 10, 2014/by Jive Media

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