At this year’s Communicate conference, we are hosting a number of special online roundtable sessions on evolving issues in the sector. An opportunity to come together with others involved in environmental communication to discuss (or debate!) a number of rapidly developing topics within a more personal virtual space. Share research and ideas, stories and experiences from the field, and get stuck into some networking with other professionals working to improve the natural world.
Each roundtable has a limited capacity of 20 spaces to provide rich and equal discussion opportunities. Keep reading to find out more about the six roundtable sessions taking place and sign up. You can register for a session leading up to or during the online conference.
Tuesday 15 November
11:00 – 11:45
Roundtable: Green and blue skills for nature’s recovery
How can we support our audiences and sector roles to develop green and blue skills to support nature’s recovery? The Net Zero transition requires huge societal change to meet challenges we face in our homes, workplaces, and behaviours. What skills will our future world need, and can the UK become a world-leader in technological transformation, whilst also providing well-paid jobs for workers? Explore topics including: jobs in nature restoration and food production (often forgotten in political discussions); how can nature groups champion green and blue jobs with political leaders; diversity of young people accessing these jobs; and how can we present those jobs as essential for life on earth – and therefore worthy of higher pay and support? Join others in the Communicate community for an interactive roundtable discussion and share your experiences. (max 20 delegates)
Chair: Dr Laura Fogg Rogers, Associate Professor, University of the West of England School of Engineering
Sign up to this roundtable session here.
14:00 – 14:45
Roundtable: Nature content creators
How can we use powerful and impactful nature content to inspire deeper connection and action? Join this interactive roundtable discussion for nature content creators (e.g. social media, podcasts, filmmaking, campaigns). Explore common challenges, share best practice and learnings, make new connections. (max 20 delegates)
Chair: Heather Knight, Freelance Creative Director and Graphic Designer
Sign up to this roundtable session here.
15:00 – 15:45
Roundtable: Inclusivity and citizen science
What are the physical and social factors that might impact inclusive participation in citizen science events? We will consider together enablers and barriers within urban diversity citizen science from the perspective of practitioners, research and real-life experiences. Join others in the Communicate community for an interactive roundtable discussion and share your experiences. (max 20 delegates)
Chair: Jen Weston, Citizen Science, Biodiversity and Urban Environments PhD, University of the West of England
Sign up to this roundtable session here.
Wednesday 16 November
11:00 – 11:45
Roundtable: Innovative membership comms
How can we involve, inspire and engage our members in innovative ways? Where are the bridges between the content we create for our members, and the action they take, and how can we strengthen these to support uptake, action and even behaviour change? Join others in the Communicate community for an interactive roundtable discussion to share best practice, strengths and challenges as we work together to inspire action for nature. (max 20 delegates per session)
Chair: Anna Russell, Regional Director, National Trust
Sign up to this roundtable session here.
13:00 – 13:45
Roundtable: Partnerships with artists and arts organisations
Art has a pivotal role to play in bridging the gap between ideas and behaviour change for sustainability and climate change. It can provide a place where creativity and dynamism combine to transform our minds and ways of thinking. So how can we work in partnership with artists and arts organisations to engage audiences around the complex environmental issues we face? Join others in the Communicate community for an interactive roundtable discussion and share your experiences (max 20 delegates per session)
Chairs: Mark Leach, Project Manager, Bristol City Council | Elise Hurcombe, Arts Development Manager, Bristol City Council
Sign up to this roundtable session here.
15:00 – 15:45
Roundtable: Use of collections for environmental engagement
How can we use physical and digital collections and objects to communicate complex environmental topics? Where can we strike a balance between conservation and public engagement with artefacts? How can a static object and the reflective space of a museum make people take action for the natural world and change behaviour? Join others in the Communicate community for an interactive roundtable discussion and share your experiences. (max 20 delegates per session)
Chair: Anna Perman, Head of Engagement, Linnean Society
Sign up to this roundtable session here.
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Find out more about the full Communicate 2022 conference here.
Check out the online programme of events here.
Book tickets for the online or in-person conference days here.
