SEMINAR: Science Communication: Winning Hearts and Minds

The Seminar: As Chief Scientist of Western Australia I had the privilege of seeing many examples of terrific science, technology and engineering across the length and breadth of our great State. They represent major opportunities and challenges, spanning the resources sector, agriculture, education, IT, the environment, energy, health and more. I will use such examples to illustrate that we must communicate science well and will discuss how we can become more effective science communicators.

The Speaker: After graduating from Oxford and Edinburgh Universities, Lyn built an internationally renowned research team in Neuroscience that focused on recovery from brain damage, much of her investigations undertaken as Winthrop Professor at The University of Western Australia.

Lyn was honoured to be Chief Scientist of Western Australia from 2006 to 2013, advising the Western Australian Government on science, innovation and technology as well as acting as an Ambassador for science locally, nationally and internationally. She has extensive experience serving on advisory bodies, including the Federal Government’s Bionic Vision Australia and the State Government of Western Australia’s Technology and Industry Advisory Council.

In 2009 Lyn was awarded Officer of the Order of Australia and elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering later that year. In 2011, she was inducted into the inaugural Western Australian Women’s Hall of Fame, followed by being elected a Fellow of the Australian College of Educators and a Companion of Engineers Australia. Lyn has worked to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics to the community, especially to young people, and in 2012 Lyn was thrilled to become the second recipient of the Governor’s Award for Giving, in recognition of her enthusiastic philanthropy.