Tag Archive for: Media and Science Communication Training

FameLab 2018: Sustainable science

Jive Media Africa FameLab

Creating conversations between science and society to address the sustainable development goals was the focus of the 2018 FameLab South Africa final held at the Future Earth conference at Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth.

Emmie Chiyindiko, a Masters student at the University of the Free State, won the title of FameLab South Africa champion with a talk which had the audience engaged from the beginning. She used the analogy of a relationship match-maker to explain the role of catalysis in food, water and energy production. She will travel to the international competition in the United Kingdom in June to represent South Africa.

Runners-up, Sebabatso Maifadi from the University of South Africa and Buhle Buyana from the University of Fort Hare also impressed the audience and judges, linking their research to the Sustainable Development Goals 2030.

Director of Jive Media Africa, Robert Inglis, highlighted the importance of the communication skills developed through FameLab for “having conversations about science which can ultimately lead to solutions for a more sustainable and equitable future”.

The format of the FameLab competition requires participants to present their research to a panel of expert judges within three minutes. Their talks are judged on content, clarity and charisma.

Deputy CEO of the National Research Foundation, Dr Gansen Pillay, praised the young researchers for their commitment to engaging the public in their research and will hold further discussions with all the finalists about the future of science in South Africa.

Anisa Khan, at the British Council, expressed her delight that there were so many women among the finalists, saying, “We must ensure that all voices are part of the science conversation.”

Do you want to host this international competition in the year ahead? Click here > Expression of Interest Form

Huge congratulations to the 2018 finalists:
– Nyasha Chimhandamba (finalist) – University of Cape Town
– Nobuhle Mweli (semi-finalist) – South African Environmental Observation Network
– Darryl Herron (finalist) and Khavharendwe Rambau (semi-finalist) – Science Forum South Africa
– Brian Rathabe (semi-finalist) – University of Limpopo
– Emmie Chiyindiko (finalist and 2018 winner) – University of the Free State
– Sylvia Mokuoane (semi-finalist) – Central University of Technology
– Bonisiwe Seshabela (semi-finalist) and Sebabatso Maifadi (finalist and runner-up) – University of South Africa
– Thlangelani Nghondzweni (semi-finalist) – Tshwane University of Technology
– Buhle Buyana (finalist and runner-up) – University of Fort Hare
– Sinethemba Makhanya (finalist) and Olaperi Okuboyejo (finalist) – University of the Witwatersrand
– Puleng Maleko-Boyce (finalist) – Nelson Mandela University

FameLab is an international competition by Cheltenham Festivals designed to inspire, motivate and develop young scientists and engineers to actively engage with the public. With over 30 participating countries, it has been dubbed the ‘Pop Idols of Science’! FameLab South Africa is made possible by a partnership between the British Council, the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement together with research communication specialists Jive Media Africa.

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FameLab SA 2017 semi-finalists!

Jive Media Africa FameLab

South Africa’s researchers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics have shown us their excellent public speaking and science communication skills during FameLab SA 2017.

In each heat, contestants were asked to convey a scientific concept of their choice in 3 minutes to a panel of judges including leading researchers, media personalities and science policy makers. They were judged on the content, clarity and charisma of their presentations.

Congratulations to all the semi-finalists – they have taken part in masterclasses at the British Council with UK-based broadcasting journalist Quentin Cooper and Jive Media Africa’s Robert Inglis and Sthabile Mazubane ahead of the semi-finals.

The FameLab SA semi-finalists are: 

ASSAF – Clarissa Van der Loo
Central University of Technology – Zanele Matsane
CSIR – Tshepo Makgoba
Mintek – Nanji Sheni and Tshiamo Legoale
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University – Wynand van Lesenoord
Rhodes University – Otto Joseph
Science Forum SA – Michael Bodunrin and Saneliswa Magagula
SKA South Africa – Vereese van Tonder
Tshwane University of Technology – Mapula Razwinani and Ntombikazi Jojo
University of Cape Town – Ursula Rohlwink and Dr Sheetal Silal
University of Limpopo – Mukundi Munyai
University of South Africa – Fulufhelo Mudau
University of the Free State – Oluwasegun Kuloyo
University of the Witwatersrand – Lungile Khambule
DST NRF Centre of Excellence in Palaeosciences – Aviwe Matiwane
DST NRF Centre of Excellence in Strong Materials – Phylis Makurunje

 

Jive will be tweeting live from the semi-finals on the 24th March – @JiveMediaAfrica – tweet us with the hashtag #FameLabSA to show your support for the contestants!

 

Congratulations to all the FameLab SA 2017 semi-finalists – it has been a privilege to work with you!

Congratulations to all the FameLab SA 2017 semi-finalists – it has been a privilege to work with you!

 

FameLab ® is an initiative of the Cheltenham Festivals. The British Council in collaboration with the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) and Jive Media Africa deliver the FameLab competition in South Africa. Find out more about FameLab South Africa at www.britishcouncil.org.za/famelab

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Retired NASA Technologist to Judge SKA FameLab

Jive Media Africa FameLab

Jim Adams (below), retired NASA Deputy Chief Technologist, dropped in to speak to the SKA South Africa FameLab participants while they were spending time at the Cape Town Science Centre practising their science communication skills. With responsibility for such a huge science programme, Jim Adams is uniquely positioned to engage SKA scientists on how to communicate with the public. Jim Adams will be one of the judges at the SKA South Africa FameLab heat.

The SKA will be the biggest scientific instrument ever built, and working with their scientists really gives one a sense of the magnitude of the endeavour and the excitement of the discoveries waiting to be made.

The SKA has also provided extra incentive for the winner of their public heat – they will travel, all expenses paid, to Mauritius to participate in a SKA SA Science Communication Workshop, where they will share their FameLab experience with students, specialists and science communicators. Jive Media Africa worked with the participants to facilitate discussions about science communication ahead of the SKA South Africa heat.

Time is running out to register for FameLab SA! Visit www.britishcouncil.org.za/famelab

Jim Adams speaks to the SKA FameLab SA participants

Jim Adams speaks to the SKA FameLab SA participants

 

‘Colourful Science’ - the Cape Town Science Centre provided a stimulating venue for Jive to train SKA FameLab participants in science communication and media skills.

‘Colourful Science’ – the Cape Town Science Centre provided a stimulating venue for Jive to train SKA FameLab participants in science communication and media skills.

 

Pictured with an SKA FameLab participant is the South African MeerKAT radio telescope - a precursor to the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope.

Pictured with a SKA FameLab participant is the South African MeerKAT radio telescope – a precursor to the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope.

 

FameLab ® is an initiative of the Cheltenham Festivals. The British Council in collaboration with the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) and Jive Media Africa deliver the FameLab competition in South Africa. Find out more about FameLab South Africa at www.britishcouncil.org.za/famelab

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FameLab SA – Onward and Upward at Mintek

Jive Media Africa FameLab

Mintek is a leading provider of minerals processing and metallurgical engineering products and services to industries worldwide. Jive Media Africa worked with Mintek researchers who are fired-up about using their science skills to change the world for the better.

The Mintek FameLab SA heat is the perfect opportunity to gain skills for talking to non-science audiences – contestants need to think creatively about how to communicate their research with public audiences. Being part of FameLab heat is about growing capacity in the organisation for both internal and external communications. Growing partnerships and collaborations and attracting new investment relies on finding ways of making science and technology accessible to a wide range of audiences. Jive is thrilled to support this objective.

Participants said that Jive’s training was very beneficial and enhanced their presentation skills.

Do you think you’ve got what it takes to compete – or would your organisation like to partner with FameLab in South Africa? Find out more at www.britishcouncil.org.za/famelab

Jive trained young researchers at Mintek to clearly explain their research to the public, narrowing the gap between science and the society in which it is at work.

 

Face to face training in science communication!

 

FameLab ® is an initiative of the Cheltenham Festivals. The British Council in collaboration with the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) and Jive Media Africa deliver the FameLab competition in South Africa. Find out more about FameLab South Africa at www.britishcouncil.org.za/famelab

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Wits – Confidence Boosting Communication Training

Jive Media Africa FameLab

The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) is hosting FameLab SA for the first time this year!

Jive Media Africa was privileged to work with 17 researchers from a wide range of faculties and departments to enhance their science communication skills prior to the Wits FameLab SA heat. Wits’ participation in the heat demonstrates their commitment to taking science into public spaces, and we are excited to welcome them to the FameLab family.

The session was very interactive and prompted lots of discussion and debate about the role of science in society, and how to find the right amount of detail for a public talk.

Feedback from the group was that Jive’s training was useful, fun and boosted their confidence and ability to communicate their research with people outside of their field or within the public. Participants will compete against each other for the opportunity to represent Wits at the FameLab SA semi-finals, and ultimately to represent South Africa on an international stage.

Find out more – or register for FameLab SA at www.britishcouncil.org.za/famelab

Researchers at Wits practice their communication skills ahead of competing in the FameLab SA competition.

Researchers at Wits practice their communication skills ahead of competing in the FameLab SA competition.

 

Working pairs to practice communications skills learned from Jive Media Africa

Working pairs to practice communications skills learned from Jive Media Africa

 

FameLab ® is an initiative of the Cheltenham Festivals. The British Council in collaboration with the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) and Jive Media Africa deliver the FameLab competition in South Africa. Find out more about FameLab South Africa at www.britishcouncil.org.za/famelab

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FameLab – Confidently Sharing Science

Jive Media Africa FameLab

FameLab SA contestants from Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) and the University of Limpopo are learning important confidence-boosting communication and media skills!

TUT is participating in FameLab SA for the first time this year. Jive Media Africa visited TUT to train a group of over 55 lecturers, students and academic staff on science communication. The group included 25 excited FameLab participants who were there to prepare for their heat on the 3rd March 2017 (pictured above).

Ready to welcome them at the training was Dr. Edgar Alufheli Nesamvuni (Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Post Graduate Studies, Research and Innovation). He encouraged the competitors to make the most of the opportunity so  that they can confidently share their science.

The University of Limpopo has hosted the FameLab SA competition for the fourth year running! Jive assisted participants with science communication training ahead of their heat.

Mukondi Munyai, a 23-year-old Animal Science Honours student, took first place and moves on to the masterclass training and semi-finals.

Have you got what it takes to compete? Register now: www.britishcouncil.org.za/famelab

Mukondi Munyai, front centre, beams among fellow FameLab competitors and judges after winning the University of Limpopo Heat

FameLab ® is an initiative of the Cheltenham Festivals. The British Council in collaboration with the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) and Jive Media Africa deliver the FameLab competition in South Africa. Find out more about FameLab South Africa at www.britishcouncil.org.za/famelab

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International “talking science” competition picks its South African winner

FameLab South Africa has a winner! Stevie Biffen from the University of Cape Town will represent South Africa in the UK in June.

Biffen, a Masters student from the University of Cape Town was one of 16 young scientists who arrived in Grahamstown in March 2015 to hone their communication skills and share their science with the public at Scifest Africa. Runners up were Edgar Phukubje, a microbiologist from the University of Limpopo and Natasha Botha, a mechanical engineer from the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research.

They were part of the international FameLab competition – a “pop idols for scientists” that seeks out and nurtures science communication talent. Engagement between scientists and society is essential to grow a critically informed society and ensure that science remains relevant and responsive to societal needs.

Topics ranged from novel drug delivery systems using engineered particles so small they can enter cells to release their contents, to better understanding neural responses affecting wellbeing and happiness – the subject of the winning talk. Energy saving window coatings, super bacteria and satellite imaging to monitor scarce water resources were all presented for the judges.

The 16 had emerged as the top speakers in a month-long series of heats around the country. The heats took place at diverse venues including science centres in Cape Town and Limpopo, universities including UNISA in Pretoria and the University of KwaZulu Natal in Pietermaritzburg and science organisations like the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB).

Masterclass training provided by UK based science presenter Dr Emily Grossman and Robert Inglis from Jive Media Africa helped them to hone their messages and prepared them for media engagement. The training was supported by the British Council which encourages the strengthening of links between South African science and that in the UK.

Speakers were judged on the content, clarity and charisma of their talks and had just 3 minutes to convey their science topic. The judges included Sarah Wild, Science Editor for the Mail and Guardian, Dr Sandile Malinga, CEO of the South African National Space Agency, and Professor Robin Grimes, Chief Science and Technology Advisor to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK.

The Final was live streamed on grahamstown.tv and you can find out more on www.facebook.com/jivemedia. Biffen travels to the UK in June. The international final will be live streamed – watch www.britishcouncil.org.za/famelab and www.jivemedia.co.za for updates.

Click here to view a gallery of photographs.

The final results are as follows:

Winner:

Stevie Biffen – University of Cape Town

Runners up:

Edgar Phukubje – University of Limpopo, and

Natasha Botha – Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

Finalists:

Kishen Mahesh – University of Pretoria

Karmani Murugan – University of the Witwatersrand

Itani Given Madiba – iThemba Labs and UNISA

Bibi Fatima Choonara – University of the Witwatersrand

Thrineshen Moodley – University of kwaZulu Natal

Oupa Malahlela – South African National Space Agency (SANSA)

Maropeng Nematanzhela – UNISA

Semi-finalists:

Thembisile Mahlangu – Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

Yonela Mkono – University of Fort Hare

Adwoa Awuah – University of kwaZulu Natal

Tshegofatjo Bridget Marindi – University of Limpopo

Brent Harrison – University of Cape Town

Electdom Matandirotya – South African National Space Agency (SANSA)

FameLab(R) is produced by Cheltenham Festivals (all rights reserved). The competition is run collaboratively in South Africa by Jive Media Africa – an independent communication agency specialising in science communication, the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) and the British Council.

For more information visit:

www.britishcouncil.org.za/famelab

www.jivemedia.co.za

www.saasta.ac.za

#FameLabSA #TalkingScience

Feature image: Dr Jabu Nukeri, MD of the South Africa Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) -extreme left – and Colm McGivern, Country Director of the British Council in South Africa – extreme right – congratulate the winners of FameLab South Africa 2015: Stevie Biffen from the University of Cape Town (centre), Natasha Botha from the CSIR – left and Edgar Phukubje from the University of Limpopo – right

dp1279_FameLab_2015_pullup_banner_thanks_R1

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Media and Science Communications Training – CSIR

Jive Media Africa has been appointed to run a series of science communication and media training workshops for the CSIR (Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research) at their various research centres around the country. We are looking forward to working with scientists at the cutting edge of their disciplines. By collaborating with a number of well-known science journalists and media experts, our aim is to strengthen relationships between scientists and the media, a powerful channel to public audiences.

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Contact

Email: info@jivemedia.co.za
Address: Jive Hub, 279 Boddington Estate, Nottingham Road, 3280