Last week, Lightsources.org had an inspiring few days interacting with delegates at the Bay Area Light Sources Joint Users’ Meeting at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. Our Science Communication Workshop and Facility Upgrade Panel Discussion were attended by delegates looking to improve their communication skills when talking about their work to non specialists and those keen to be part of the discussion on effective communication with users when facilities embark on major upgrade projects.
As science communicators based at light source facilities around the world, it was a privilege to be able to share our knowledge with those passionate about bringing their work to general audiences.
As our facilities upgrade to improve the capabilities we offer to users, it is important to provide two way communication opportunities. By focusing on the strategies we employ to ensure these complex projects build on the strong links light sources have with their user communities, we put those bringing their science to us at the heart of everything we do. It was also great to run our Science Communication Poster Award during the meeting so we could highlight some wonderful work in the area of peer to peer communication. Congratulations to our winners Bruno Nunez Perez, University of Saskatchewan (centre), Seonju You, Pohang Accelerator Lab, (right) and Alexander Lemmens, PULSE (left). Huge thanks and congratulations to the event organisers. You did a fantastic job looking after us!
Ana Belén Martínez, Communications and Outreach Manager at ALBA Synchrotron and Chair of Lightsources.org, comments “Lightsources.org brings together science communicators from facilities around the world. Our main goal is to support the community with our website and through in person activities such as the science communication workshop and upgrade panel discussion we delivered during the Users’ Meeting. Sharing our insights and experiences on how to make scientific and technical topics accessible and memorable to non-specialists is very rewarding and we were inspired by the discussions we had with participants during our practical workshop.
With so many facilities currently on an upgrade journey, it was timely to focus on the importance of transparency in user communication in the run up, during, and post facility upgrade, and we appreciated having the opportunity to gain perspectives from users during our panel discussion. We are extremely grateful to colleagues form SLAC and the ALS for giving Lightsources.org these opportunities and for looking after us so well during the meeting.”