THEMES

The overarching theme of the conference is “Science Journalism and Social Justice – our role in promoting resilience”.

There are six sub-themes with five possible proposal ideas for each listed below.

STATE OF THE PROFESSION: SCIENCE JOURNALISM AND JOURNALISM

Proposal ideas

Science journalism takes time and requires resources, such as editorial and legal support, and that means funding. Look at new ideas, new models and current models that work
Developing and strengthening the image of science journalism: why it matters to society as a whole and is worth investing in
Science journalism as a form of investigative journalism
Science journalism in the age of social media/digital platforms
The impact of artificial intelligence, both the positives and negatives

Proposal ideas

Join the dots: good science journalism is a pillar of social justice
Holding governments and researchers accountable: science journalism is key
Making science meaningful and useful to citizens.
News stories that change behaviour or affect policy to change lives – is it possible?
The green transition, neocolonialism and geopolitical justice – including social justice aspects enriches stories

Proposal ideas

Tools for identifying and disentangling mis- and information
How to counter false messages/use of research and find out who’s behind them or financing them
Coping with being trolled/targeted yourself
Identifying and countering AI deep fakes
Practical workshops that provide training in the management of mis- and disinformation

Proposal ideas

How to communicate basic sciences (and findings)
Solutions journalism, advocacy journalism et al: should science journalists take a point of view?
Science journalism and ethics
The power of words to inform social justice; how the choice of words, language and storytelling can alter, for better or worse, people’s feelings about for instance a disease, a scientific finding, a natural disaster and more. Example: AIDS vs HIV; Afrikaans selfmoord (self-murder) vs selfdood (self dying), Mpox/monkey pox
Planning for and measuring the impact of your stories

Proposal ideas

How can science journalists empower themselves, network with each other, strengthen knowledge and ensure science is covered well in environments that are constrained – such as island nations/nations recovering from colonial pasts?
Science journalists on the track of climate change issues in the Global South and other regions deeply affected
How to tell local science stories that embrace difference/seek equality across the globe and within societies
Where African science is done and published; reflections on its support, and how science journalism can be leveraged for knowledge and understanding of science
Covering traditional and indigenous health care

Proposal ideas

Health journalism as a social justice issue/social prerogative
Reporting on:
Social, political and political determinants of health
Mental health
Health innovation and technology
Health policy and health systems
Reporting on progress on SDG 3 and related SDGs:
Achieving universal health coverage
Maternal and child health
The intersection of health, climate change, and environmental sustainability Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and its role in health
Information processing: Vaccination and its controversies
Vital tools for good health journalism