The CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (NIScPR) hosted an Orientation Workshop in New Delhi today, empowering its Science Media Communication Cell (SMCC) with valuable insights from renowned experts. The workshop aimed to equip the SMCC with effective strategies to communicate science and technology (S&T) related information of Indian science to the public.

Glimpse of the Inaugural session of the science communication workshop at CSIR-NIScPR. From (L to R): Dr. B.K. Tyagi, Dr. Manish Mohan Gore, Dr. Dipendra Mazumder, Dr. Sujit Bhattacharya & Ms. Rakhee Bakshee

Dr. Dipendra Mazumder, Faculty, National Academy of Broadcasting and Multimedia (NABM), Prasar Bharati shared his experiences on "Communicating S&T information effectively via radio," highlighting the power of this medium to reach diverse audiences across the nation. He elaborated on the activities of All India Radio to effectively communicate science to the public.

Ms. Rakhee Bakshee, Communication Advisor, Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) offered valuable insights on "The Role of Short Videos and Reels in communicating science," emphasizing the growing importance of engaging, short, precise and crispy content in today's digital age. She said that we need to be careful about growing misinformation on social media and how we should tackle it by verifying the information and instantly fact-checking it.

 

The talk of Dr. B.K. Tyagi (renowned science communicator) was focused on "Communicating science through traditional folk Media." He showcased the power of leveraging familiar cultural expressions to connect with communities and promote scientific understanding. He described the examples how to approach, communicate and present scientific information through traditional folk media.

Dr. Sujit Bhattacharya, Chief Scientist and officiating Director, CSIR-NIScPR, emphasized the importance of effective science communication in bridging the gap between scientific research and the public. “This workshop equips the SMCC with the necessary tools and strategies to disseminate complex S&T information in a clear, engaging, and accessible manner”. He also suggested a peer-review committee of scientists & experts for social media content related fact checking.

The workshop provided the SMCC with a comprehensive understanding of diverse communication channels and techniques, enabling them to tailor their approach to reach specific audiences and foster greater public engagement with science.

Dr. Naresh Kumar, Head, Project Monitoring and Evaluation Division of CSIR-NIScPR emphasized the significance of Science Media Communication Cell (SMCC) and its role to disseminate Indian R&D breakthroughs to various media platforms. Dr. Manish Mohan Gore, Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR and Principal Investigator, SMCC provided a brief outline about the mandate of SMCC, its key activities and orientation workshop to motivate the participants about science communication. Staff members of SMCC as well as Ph.D. students actively participated in the workshop and learnt a lot from each of the expert.

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) is dedicated to advancing science communication, evidence-based S&T policy research and promoting scientific awareness among the public. Through innovative initiatives and collaborative efforts, CSIR-NIScPR strives to bridge the gap between the scientific community and the general public.

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