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• Science Book Bingo

  • When
    09 Apr 2026
  •  
    6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
  • Location
    Zoom

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  April Member Meet-Up

  Join the Book Awards Committee on April 9th for an informal, interactive members event celebrating everything science books! We’ll dive into this year's full list of SWCC Science Book Awards entries while making space for lively conversation and discovery. Come prepared to share a few science titles you’ve loved, disliked, or simply have strong opinions about (whether recent reads or longtime favorites) as we learn from each other and work together to build the ultimate community science reading list. So put on your comfy pants, grab a beverage of your choice, and settle in for a fun hour of bookish conversation with fellow members.

  Date: Thursday, April 9, 2026 from  6:00 pm to 7:00 pm ET via Zoom

  Cost: Free to all members

  Hosted by: Jenny Lehmann and Becky Anderson (SWCC Board Members and Co-chairs of the Book Awards Committee)

  

  Becky Anderson is an interdisciplinary science communicator passionate about bridging the gap between research and practice. She is Communications Manager at the University of Guelph’s Morwick G360 Groundwater Research Institute, where she supports knowledge mobilization, community engagement, and scientific outreach.

  Becky has a BSc in Microbiology and a MSc in Pathobiology from the University of Guelph, where her research focused on antimicrobial resistance in dairy manure. During her graduate studies, she discovered her passion for science communication and using creative approaches to make science accessible, engaging, and meaningful for diverse audiences.

  She has a Certification in Science Communication from the Royal Canadian Institute for Science and is currently pursuing a Multimedia Journalism Certification at the University of Toronto. A lifelong reader, Becky combines her love of books, scientific background and communication expertise to support the Science Writers and Communicators of Canada, where she also serves as Co-Chair of the Book Awards Committee.

  

  Jenny is a science communicator, writer, and editor with a B.Sc. in Medical Biotechnology and an M.Sc. in Nutritional Science. She currently works full-time position as an assistant editor at Discover Magazine, covering a broad range of topics, from medical breakthroughs and pharmacological discoveries to the latest in nutrition, as well as human evolution, psychology, and quirky animal stories.

  Since she joined the SWCC in April 2024, she has gained insights from behind the scenes of the Digital Media team and the annual Book Awards, supporting their public communications strategy and helping organize several virtual and in-person events. As a member of the board of directors, Jenny hopes to build bridges between Canadian researchers, students, and the curious public, while sharing her leadership and project management skills.

  When she’s not immersed in a popular science book, you’ll find her catching waves or cruising around Vancouver Island on her longboard.

  
  

  
  

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• Levelling up your journalism skills: Fellowships, scholarships and more

  • When
    15 Apr 2026
  •  
    5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
  • Location
    Online

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  April Virtual Event

  Science communicators and journalists often reach a point where they want to brush up on foundational knowledge, strengthen specific skills, or delve into a particular area of interest. This virtual event explores how to "level up" at any stage of your career through funded professional development opportunities such as fellowships and scholarships.

  At this event, SWCC board member Bryce Hoye will share his experience as a fellow in the Knight Science Journalism Program at MIT. He'll be joined by Ashley Smart, associate director of the Knight Science Journalism Program, as well as two organizers of the CBC David Suzuki Scholarship for journalism students -- Lesley Birchard and Gina Lorentz -- who will welcome audience questions about their programs. By bringing together both personal experiences and program-level insights, this event will give participants a clearer understanding of funded opportunities for Canadian science communicators and journalists across the career spectrum, along with resources for further exploration.

  Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. ET via Zoom

  Cost: Free for SWCC Members / $30 CAD for Non-Members

  Are you a non-member of SWCC registering for this event? If you decide to become a member of SWCC within 2 weeks of the event date, your membership fee (in the applicable category) will be discounted by the amount you paid for event registration. To activate your discounted membership within the 2-week period, email office@sciencewriters.ca.

  Speaker: Bryce Hoye

  Bryce Hoye is a multi-platform journalist for CBC based in Winnipeg. He has worked for Canada's public broadcaster since 2014 covering a range of topics. He previously spent several field seasons working in wildlife field biology, mainly for Environment Canada. As a journalist, he gravitates toward ecology and conservation, wildlife-human conflict, biodiversity loss and climate change, natural disasters and natural history, LGBTQ2S health and equity, and topics in space sciences — including exoplanet research, the search for life beyond Earth, and UFOs. He was a 2024-25 MIT Knight Science Journalism Fellow.

  
  

  Speaker: Ashley Smart

  Ashley Smart is the Associate Director of the Knight Science Journalism Program at MIT and a senior editor at Undark magazine, where he co-led the magazine’s award-winning “Long Division” project. He is also co-editor of the book “A Tactical Guide to Science Journalism: Lessons From the Frontlines.” Before joining KSJ and Undark in 2018, Smart spent eight years as an editor and reporter at Physics Today. He was a 2015–16 Knight Science Journalism Fellow and now serves on the advisory boards of The Open Notebook and the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing.

  Speaker: Lesley Birchard

  Lesley Birchard champions captivating science and nature stories for CBC's flagship science program The Nature of Things. She pioneered the groundbreaking CBC Short Docs, commissioning over 200 documentaries for CBC Gem and YouTube, and is a passionate advocate for filmmakers from equity-deserving communities. Lesley's previous portfolio at CBC included overseeing select feature docs and hit unscripted series like Still Standing. Before CBC, she honed her craft as a freelance director, producer, and story editor. She holds an M.A. in Creative Media Education from Bournemouth University.

  Speaker: Gina Lorentz

  Gina Lorentz is president of the Radio Television Digital News Foundation which promotes excellence in journalism through its student scholarship program. RTDNF was established by RTDNA Canada in 1978. Since then, the foundation has awarded more than half a million dollars to emerging journalists through the generosity of sponsors. Gina is humbled to have her award-winning broadcast career and experience as a journalism professor recognized to help students find and tell compelling stories.

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• Beyond pretty pictures: Utilising graphics to communicate science

  • When
    14 May 2026
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Online

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  May Virtual Event

  In today’s crowded scientific landscape, visuals (graphical abstracts, posters, banners, or even a well-designed slide) can make the difference between being noticed or overlooked. The right illustration clarifies complex ideas, draws attention, and helps your research reach audiences beyond your immediate field. Visual communication is no longer optional. From conference posters to social media, from CVs to online articles, the ability to convey science through images can shape how your work is perceived, and even influence the opportunities that follow. This talk will cover how researchers and science communicators can transform the way they present their work using principles from art, design, and illustration. You’ll learn practical strategies to craft visuals that tell your scientific story clearly and memorably, helping your work (and your career) go further.

  Date: Thursday, May 14, 2026 from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. ET via Zoom

  Cost: Free for SWCC Members / $30 CAD for Non-Members

  Are you a non-member of SWCC registering for this event? If you decide to become a member of SWCC within 2 weeks of the event date, your membership fee (in the applicable category) will be discounted by the amount you paid for event registration. To activate your discounted membership within the 2-week period, email office@sciencewriters.ca.

  Speaker: Dr. Lucia Perez-Diaz

  Dr. Lucia Perez-Diaz is a computational geoscientist and author-illustrator based in Oxford (UK). In her scientific work, she creates computer models of large-scale geological processes like the break-up of continents and formation and evolution of oceans (which are, in turn, used to learn about the direct impact of these events on the evolution of life and climate on Earth). Lucia's journey into illustration and design started during her PhD studies as a way to open up scientific discovery to broader audiences and convey complex topics in engaging ways. Having spent the best part of the last decade somewhere in the intersection of science and art, she now spends some of her time teaching scientists about the power of visuals for scientific communication.

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• SWCC Annual Conference 2026

  • Start
    14 Jun 2026
  • End
    16 Jun 2026
  • Location
    777 Blvd Robert-Bourassa, Montréal, QC H3C 3Z7

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  Version française de la page web de la conférence / Formulaire d'inscription en français / Code de conduite en français

  SWCC Annual Conference 2026

  Theme: Discovery. Dialogue. Decision.

  Location: Plaza Centre-Ville in Montréal, Québec

  June 14, 2026: Opening Reception, Optional Tours & Workshop

  June 15, 2026: Full-day Conference Sessions

  June 16, 2026: Full-day Conference Sessions featuring the final competition of the SSHRC Storytellers Challenge

  June 17, 2026: Optional Tours

  
  

  Conference Program

  (Not a member? Save money by becoming a member before registering!)

  Early Bird Registration (Ending April 17, 2026):

  Member*: $425

  Non-member: $620

  Discounted rate**: $250

  Full Registration (Starting April 18, 2026):

  Member*: $525

  Non-member: $720

  Discounted Rate**: $300

  *For 2026 we are extending our SWCC member rate to members of the Association des communicateurs scientifiques du Québec.

  **The discounted rate is available via an honour system to students, freelancers, and representatives of Indigenous organizations. We provide this option to improve the financial accessibility of our conference. However, if the standard rate is within your budget, we kindly invite you to register at the full registration cost to support the success of SWCC 2026.

  All rates include the opening reception on June 14 and two full conference days on June 15 and 16. Breakfasts, lunches, and snacks are provided as part of the conference fee.

  Pre and post conference events are not included in the conference ticket price. If you would like to attend these events, you can add them as they become available on our website.

  

  Where to Stay

  Conference accommodations will be the Marriott Chateau Champlain. We have negotiated a room block at a discounted rate but availability is limited so please book as soon as possible using the link below. This rate is available until April 13, 2026. 

  Book a Room at the SWCC Rate
  

  

  Theme: Discovery. Dialogue. Decision.

  Navigating complexity to make sense of science.

  Discovery – Frontiers of Science and Innovation. Exploring how scientific and technological advances are reshaping our world.

  Dialogue – Communicating Complexity and Building Understanding. Examining how we translate, interpret, and communicate complex or polarizing science for public audiences.

  Decision – Science, Policy, and Public Engagement. How communication influences the decisions that shape our collective future.

  Read more on the 2026 theme and other conference details here.
  

  

  SWCC Gratefully Acknowledges the Support of Our Sponsors

  Exhibitor Level

  
  

  Supporter Level

  
  

  Is your organization interested in supporting the Canadian science journalism and communication community? Our conference is made possible thanks to our sponsors and partners.

  View Our Sponsorship Package

  
  

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