Last week, science communicators from the across the US, Europe, Middle East and Asia met in person at Diamond Light Source at Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire, UK from Wednesday 23rd to Friday 25th April 2025. The gathering provided a platform for members of the global Lightsources.org network to exchange ideas, highlight successful strategies, and foster stronger collaboration.
The meeting served as a valuable forum for exploring key trends and challenges shaping science communication today. Topics discussed ranged from the impact of changing social media dynamics on outreach strategies, to cross-facility collaboration, promoting scientific capabilities to industry, and advancing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in STEM.
The three-day programme featured a rich lineup of presentations and interactive sessions. Rachel Freeman, Industrial Liaison Marketing Manager at Diamond, outlined the facility’s industry-focused marketing approach. Amy Griffin, Engagement Team Manager, gave an overview of Diamond’s public engagement activities, highlighting strategies for connecting with diverse audiences and making complex science accessible. Attendees also had the opportunity to tour the Diamond facility, gaining insights into how visual storytelling and narrative tools are used to communicate advanced research in engaging ways.
Hannah Conduit, Social Media Manager at the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), UK, led a hands-on workshop on emerging trends in social media, sharing practical advice based on STFC’s experiences. Delphine Chenevier, Head of Communications at the ESRF, provided updates on ESRF’s strategy and shared examples of successful collaborations through EIROforum. A round-table session on internal communications, led by Emma Corness, Internal Communications Manager at Diamond, sparked thoughtful discussion on engaging staff and enhancing internal messaging.
Participants also shared recent achievements and discussed their communications priorities for 2025-2026. Silvana Westbury, Project Manager for Lightsources.org, gave an overview of upcoming collaborative projects.
Lightsources.org creates one voice for the field, ensuring member facilities are well positioned for funding, access, and research, to make use of each facility’s unique capabilities, and to enhance the effectiveness of the science carried out.
If you are interested in becoming a member of Lightsources.org, please visit our About Lightsources.org page or contact Silvana Westbury, our Project Manager, at webmaster@lightsources.org
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