Science Communication in Times of COVID-19 under the Spotlight

Science communication is essential to support critical decisions and policies with evidence-based data and to inform citizens especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, how can science communication be effective in these times and beyond? This International Virtual Panel, organized by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, provides a platform for renowned speakers from both countries to approach this guiding question from different angles and consider lessons learned during the pandemic. The experts will discuss how science communication deals with mistrust, fake news, and conspiracy theories. They will also analyze how scientists translate complex topics into an understandable language, and which media platforms and tools they use to inform policy makers and citizens. Moreover, the panel will reflect on the role of scientific advisers in the public, as well as on chances, limits, and trends of science communication. The audience is very welcome to interact with the experts and to ask questions using the Q&A.

ASSAf and Leopoldina will welcome the following experts to the podium:

• Prof Dr Koleka Mlisana, Ministerial Advisory Committee (MAC) on COVID-19, South Africa
• Dr Viola Priesemann, Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization & Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, Göttingen, Germany
• Mia Malan, Bhekisisa – Centre for Health Journalism, South Africa
• Dr David Schieferdecker, Department of Political and Social Sciences, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
• Dr Marina Joubert, Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa

This panel discussion will be moderated by German science journalist Rebecca Winkels, Director of Communications and Strategy at Wissenschaft im Dialog, and is part of the Leopoldina International Virtual Panel Series.

In July 2020, the Leopoldina launched a virtual format for global scientific exchange: Leopoldina International – a series of online panels organized by Leopoldina’s International Relations Department in cooperation with its international partners. Leopoldina International offers a virtual room for the global scientific community to convene and for the interested public to join the dialogue with scientists. Previous topics addressed the COVID-19 pandemic from different angles, including the role of data, health behavior, vaccination, multimorbidity, mental health, and contact tracing