Let's Talk SciComm

Everyone keeps telling you to “tell a story” about your research… but what if you genuinely can’t see one?In this short episode, Jen and Michael tackle one of the most common (and quietly stressful) challenges in science communication: finding the story in your own work.Their reassurance? If you’re looking for a story, you’re already on the right track.In this episode, we explore:Why story = a problem–solution dynamicHow to identify the real problem your research is addressingA simple sentence starter: “This matters because…”The powerful question: “What has changed because of my work?”Why your personal motivation might be part of the storyHow brainstorming, sticky notes, conversations (and even AI tools) can help uncover new anglesWhy audience and purpose determine which story you should tellOne research project can contain dozens of possible stories. The trick isn’t finding the story — it’s choosing the right one for the people you’re speaking to.And most importantly: there is always a story. It might just take a little curiosity and creativity to uncover it.You can find more great advice here:https://reshub.uts.edu.au/whats-on/news/how-nail-your-research-storyhttps://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/find-hero-energy-story-your-researchhttps://blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsocialsciences/2018/05/21/writing-a-page-turner-how-to-tell-a-story-in-your-scientific-paper/

This week we spoke with Dr Chloe Lim who is a trained molecular biologist, professional balloon artist, and science communicator with over 20 years of experience in medical research and regulatory science. She is the founder of Twistyfic, where she merges science, storytelling, and balloon art to spark curiosity and inspire young minds through engaging STEAM shows and workshops. Chloe also runs Giggly Wiggly Balloons, delighting audiences with her balloon artistry at events across Canberra. A top 5 finalist on Channel 7’s Blow Up and a TEDx speaker, she brings a unique blend of creativity and fun to everything she does to make science accessible, inclusive, and memorable.You can follow Chloe and find out more about her work here:LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/drchloelim/⁠Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/drchloelim/⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/drchloelim/⁠Website: https://drchloelim.com/ TEDx talk: Find your hidden talent and unlock your potential | Dr Chloe Lim | TEDxCanberra Blow Up TV show: https://7plus.com.au/blow-upAmazon page: https://www.amazon.com/author/drchloelimGiggly Wiggly BalloonsWebsite: www.gigglywiggly.com.auFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/gigglywigglyballoonsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gigglywigglyballoonsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gigglywigglyballoons CALD Voices in STEM podcastWebsite: https://drchloelim.com/podcast/Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cald-voices-in-stem/id1702014079Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ekS0zhlfXXIYJ2DCgY4K1 TwistyficWebsite: https://twistyfic.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/twistyficInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/twistyficTranscript: https://go.unimelb.edu.au/ysj2

Rejection hurts -  whether it’s a journal decision, a grant outcome, or yet another “unsuccessful” email landing in your inbox. In this short Listen to This If episode, Jen and Michael talk honestly about the emotional rollercoaster of academic rejection, why it’s not a reflection of your worth (or your work), and how to keep going when the disappointment hits hard.They share practical strategies for making the most of the effort you’ve already put in, learning from feedback (when you’re ready for it!), and normalising rejection as a part of the research cycle, not a personal failure.If you’re feeling frustrated, deflated, or questioning yourself after a knockback, this one’s for you.In this episode, we cover:Why rejection is a normal (but still awful) part of academiaHow low funding rates and high competition skew outcomesThe importance of venting and feeling miserable - briefly!Turning reviewer feedback into your next stronger submissionWhy trying again (and again) really does get easierYou can find more great advice here:https://patthomson.net/2020/08/31/dealing-with-rejection/https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/how-to-do-academia/202207/coping-with-rejection-in-the-academic-worldhttps://researcher-hub.sydney.edu.au/funding/plan-for-funding/reframing-rejection.htmlhttps://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/six-steps-overcoming-setbacks-and-rejectionTranscript: https://go.unimelb.edu.au/osj2

This week we have a wonderful conversation with Tina Katsaros who is a PhD student at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia, working under Dr Sarah Annesley and funded by ME Research UK. She is a cell biologist investigating abnormalities in mitochondrial function, metabolism and signalling in cells from people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). Beyond the lab, Tina also has a strong passion for science communication and making research accessible to all. Alongside her research career, Tina has actively promoted both her research and research journey through radio shows, interviews, and blog posts. She has also organised a range of science communication workshops aimed at strengthening oral and written communication skills for researchers. In addition, she has participated in outreach programs such as In2Science and STEMpals, which are designed to encourage primary and high-school students to explore and pursue careers in STEM. Her commitment to clear and responsible science communication has been recognised through multiple awards, including wins in the Visualise Your Thesis (VYT) and 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) competitions. She has also been invited to speak at conferences internationally, delivering oral presentations both nationally and abroad. Tina is a huge advocate for effective science communication and believes science shouldn’t be siloed within academia, but instead be shared openly whenever and wherever possible, and in ways that empower public understanding. You can follow Tina and find out more about her work here: https://scholars.latrobe.edu.au/tkatsaros https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinakatsaroshttps://x.com/tinakatsaroshttps://bsky.app/profile/tinakatsaros.bsky.social https://www.rrr.org.au/shared/broadcast-episode/29013/898000/1074000VYT 2024 Entry: Cause-and-effect in cells from people with ME/CFS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guy6zS9QRxQhttps://www.meresearch.org.uk/interview-with-tina-katsaros/https://www.meresearch.org.uk/research/cause-effect-relationships/https://www.meresearch.org.uk/spend-christmas-with-me/https://www.meresearch.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Breakthrough_Autumn_2024.pdfTranscript: https://go.unimelb.edu.au/5sj2

A 100-word lay summary sounds simple, but getting every word to count is harder than it looks. In this episode, Jen and Michael share practical tips for writing summaries that actually make people care. From finding a strong hook to focusing on impact (not methods), they talk through how to make your research clear, engaging, and accessible for non-expert readers. Perfect for anyone tackling grant applications, scholarships, or research submissions.You can find more great advice here:https://www.elsevier.com/en-au/connect/in-a-nutshell-how-to-write-a-lay-summaryhttps://researcher.life/blog/article/how-to-write-a-lay-summary-10-tips-for-researchers/https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1500882112Transcript: https://go.unimelb.edu.au/z9x2