Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic for science communication

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been important to communicate scientific knowledge and uncertainties in both a transparent and understandable manner. Experts will discuss how science communication can be effective in these times and beyond at the International Virtual Panel, organized by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, on Thursday, 7 October 2021.

Experts will share their experiences in science communication and how they have dealt with mistrust, fake news and conspiracy thinking during the COVID-19 pandemic. They will explain how scientists can translate complex topics into an understandable language, and which media platforms and tools can be implemented to this end. In addition, they will discuss the role of scientific advisers in the public. The following experts will be speaking on the podium:

Prof Koleka Mlisana, PhD, Co-Chair, Ministerial Advisory Committee (MAC) on COVID-19/South Africa
Dr Viola Priesemann, Research Group Leader, Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organisation and Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, Göttingen/Germany
Mia Malan, Editor-in-Chief and Executive Director, Bhekisisa – Centre for Health Journalism, Johannesburg/South AfricaDr David Schieferdecker, Researcher, Division Communication Theory and Media Effects, Institute for Media and Communication Studies, Freie Universität Berlin/Germany
Dr Marina Joubert, Science Communication Researcher, Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology, Stellenbosch University/South Africa

The event is part of the Leopoldina International Virtual Panel Series and will be moderated by Rebecca Winkels, Head of Communications and Strategy at Wissenschaft im Dialog.

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