Summary

Presented by World Science Festival Queensland, Queensland Chief Scientist and James Cook University

EVENT VENUE: Medical Lecture Theatre Building 45, Room 002 JCU Campus Townsville

TICKETS FREE: Use this link to register

Our modern world is awash with information, but how much of it is reliable, trustworthy, and still engages us? Distinguished researchers unpack this question in a riveting panel discussion about the challenges of communicating science in an era of information overload.

The work of science has long been upheld as a beacon of truth, shedding light on our past, present and future. Today, however, the loudest voices are not always promoting solutions underpinned by good research. From climate change to public health, the rapid spread of information (and misinformation) through digital platforms is overwhelming, making effective science communication more important than ever before in navigating these challenges.

Australia’s Chief Scientist Dr Cathy Foley will provide opening remarks on communicating science and combatting misinformation. Join our experts as they analyse the complexities of managing misinformation, offering insights into distinguishing science fact from science fiction for both academia and society. Also, hear how the scientific community explore and communicate groundbreaking research that can continue to inspire hope, resilience and action in the face of adversity.

Panelists:

Professor Kerrie Wilson, Queensland Chief Scientist

Associate Professor Peter Cowman, Principal Scientist Marine Biodiversity, Curator of Biosystematics, Queensland Museum

Dr Klaire Somoray, Lecturer in Psychology at the College of Healthcare Sciences, James Cook University

FEATURING

Kerrie Wilson

Speaker

Kerrie Wilson

Professor Kerrie Wilson commenced in the role of the Queensland Chief Scientist on 1 November 2023. She is one of Australia’s leading researchers into the science, strategy and policy of...

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Peter Cowman

Speaker

Peter Cowman

Peter joined the Queensland Museum in 2021 as Senior Curator of Biosystematics. He is based at Queensland Museum Tropics in Townsville. Originally, from Ireland, Peter completed a PhD in Marine...

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Klaire Somoray

Speaker

Klaire Somoray

Dr Klaire Somoray (they/she) is a Lecturer in the School of Psychology at JCU's College of Healthcare Sciences. Dr Somoray's research focuses on the intersections of data, technology and their...

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Siobhan Heanue

Moderator

Siobhan Heanue

Siobhan Heanue is an ABC News journalist. She worked in Canberra for more than a decade before becoming an ABC foreign correspondent, reporting from South Asia, the Middle East and...

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