About the Symposium
The world is a global community that shares a common destiny for humanity. However, growing polarization and antagonism in today's world pose significant challenges to science communication. To address challenges such as artificial intelligence, misinformation, technological controversies, environment and health, and cultural variation, we invite you to exchange thoughts and effective practices on local or international science communication. We aim to explore and expand communication methods, broaden perspectives, and strengthen our sense of responsibility. In this way, we expect to bridge differences, alleviate confrontations, and rebuild spaces and platforms for fruitful dialogue among all parties involved in science communication.
Suzhou, a city that blends innovation and tradition, is ready for the refreshing and sparkling conversation to renew our science communication community from October 17-19th, 2024. This time is also the most beautiful season in Suzhou Gardens.
The PCST Suzhou Symposium 2024 is organized by Soochow University (SU, Suzhou), jointly organized by the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC, Hefei).
The Symposium has received support from the following institutions, the Chinese Society for Science and Technology Journalism, the Chinese Association for History of Journalism and Communication, the China Research Institute for Science Popularization, the Jiangsu Science Communication Center, the Suzhou Association of Science and Technology, the Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science (CPAS) at the Australian National University, as well as leading journals such as Public Understanding of Science, Science Communication and Journal of Science Communication.
Time Table
Activities
- Registration
- Workshops
- Science in Gardens
(held in the Humble Administrator's Garden 拙政园) - Plenary meeting
- Parallel sessions and poster exhibition
- Special Banquet
- Plenary meeting
- Disperse and free visiting
Dates
- October 17th
- October 17th (Afternoon)
- October 17th (Evening)
- October 18th (Morning)
- October 18th (Afternoon)
- October 18th (Evening)
- October 19th (Morning)
- October 19th (Afternoon)
| Activities | Dates |
|---|---|
| Registration | October 17th |
| Workshops | October 17th (Afternoon) |
| Science in Gardens (held in the Humble Administrator's Garden 拙政园) |
October 17th (Evening) |
| Plenary meeting | October 18th (Morning) |
| Parallel sessions and poster exhibition | October 18th (Afternoon) |
| Special Banquet | October 18th (Evening) |
| Plenary meeting | October 19th (Morning) |
| Disperse and free visiting | October 19th (Afternoon) |
Keynotes
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Uncertainty and Trust in Science: How can we deal with them in education and communication?
SONG Jinwoong, Professor, Seoul National University
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The value of science communication for members, masses and minorities
Jennifer Metcalfe, Director, Econnect Communication
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Empowering China's Modernization through promoting science literacy
WANG Ting, Director, China Research Institute for Science Popularization
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Science popularization and science communication around the world
Bernard Schiele, Professor, University of Quebec
Plenary Round Tables
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Highlight Dialogue: Culture of PCST in promoting global science communication
Chair: Jennifer Metcalfe
View Roundtable Details
Panelists: Toss Gascoigne, Donghong Cheng, Sook-kyoung Cho, Bernard Schiele, Heather Doran -
Building science into creative cultures
Chair: Massimiano Bucchi
View Roundtable Details
Panelists: David Kirby, Michelle Riedlinger, Martin Bauer, Xuan Liu, Priscilla Van Even -
Supporting science communicators for professional cultures
Chair: Marina Joubert
View Roundtable Details
Panelists: Michel Claessens, Luisa Massarani, Fabien Medvecky, Yang Liu, Michelle Morelos -
Communicating science for cohesive cultures
Chair: Hepeng Jia
View Roundtable Details
Panelists: Shirley Ho, Janet Z. Yang, Anne M. Dijkstra, Jianxun Chu, Herbert Batta
Workshops
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Academic Publishing Workshop
Co-organized by Public Understanding of Science and Science Communication, Sponsored by SAGE China
Chair: Hans Peter Peters, Janet Yang -
Science Communication Skill Workshops
Two parts in the same meeting room
Chair: Priscilla Van Even (part A), Emma Weitkamp (part B)
Social Event
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Science in Gardens
Date: October 17th (Evening)
Location: Humble Administrator's Garden (拙政园) -
Special Banquet
Date: October 18th (Evening)
Location: Castle Hotel Suzhou (苏州胥城大厦), opposite the conference hotel.
Parallel Sessions
There will be a dozen of parallel sessions and poster exhibitions.
Registration
To attend the symposium, please register and submit a contribution here
If co-authors are involved in the submission, please provide their information in the attached Word file.
The symposium has a limited capacity for participants.
Highlights
Social event: Science in Gardens
(Reading concert in one of the classical Chinese gardens in Suzhou)
Person in Charge: Massimiano Bucchi and Guoyan Wang
Insight Roundtable
Culture of PCST: the Past and Future in Promoting Global Science Communication
Person in Charge: Jennifer Metcalfe
Academic Publishing Workshop
Person in Charge: Hans Peter Peters from Public Understanding of Science and Janet Yang from Science Communication
Venue
Jinling Aster Hotel, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China (No. 488 Sanxiang Road, Gusu District, Suzhou City)
苏州市金陵雅都大酒店， 姑苏区三香路488号
Fees
The fees will cover tuition, symposium materials, lunches in the cafeteria, and social events. Participants will be responsible for covering their travel, accommodation, and local transportation.
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Early Bird: until April 30th, 2024
PCST members and students: 1200 RMB or 180 US Dollar incl. VAT
Non-members: 1800 RMB or 260 US Dollar incl. VAT
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Rolling Registration: until May 30th, 2024
PCST members and students: 1800 RMB or 260 US Dollar incl. VAT
Non-members: 2400 RMB or 340 US incl. VAT
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Attendee Registration : until August 31st, 2024
Attending as an observer without any meals or garden activities: $120 incl. VAT
Attending with meals and garden activities included: $240 incl. VAT
Hotel accommodation per night: RMB 380 (approximately USD 60) incl. VAT
Note:
*Please note that if you choose to register, we will take care of booking the hotel for you.
Alternatively, you are welcome to arrange your own accommodation if you prefer.
Organizing Committee
President
Guoyan Wang, Soochow University
Scientific Committee Member of the PCST network
Co-President
Sook-kyoung Cho, Korea Institute of Energy Technology
President of the PCST network
Vice President
Hepeng Jia, Soochow University
Co-Vice President
Rongting Zhou, University of Science and Technology of China
Scientific Committee
Anne M. Dijkstra, University of Twente
Co-Chair of PCST External Relationship Committee
Marlit Hayslett, Hayslett Consulting
Co-Chair of PCST External Relationship Committee
Jennifer Metcalfe, Former President of PCST
Massimiano Bucchi, University of Trento
Marina Joubert, Stellenbosch University
Xuan Liu, National Academy of Innovation Strategy
About Soochow University
Soochow University is located in the historical and cultural city of Suzhou, often called a "heaven on earth". Suzhou enjoys convenient transportation, with only a half-hour high-speed train ride from Shanghai. Recognized as one of Chinese mainland top 20 universities, the university has been included into several state funding programs aiming to build the world leaders in higher education and S&T innovation. The Science Communication Center at Soochow University is composed of a team of 12 dedicated full-time faculty members and has harvested an amazing amount of top journal papers, research grants, and prestigious awards. Professor Guoyan Wang and Professor Hepeng Jia are the founding leaders of the center.
