SAEON Graduate Student Network
Public engagement with science, and the ways that postgraduate students can integrate public engagement into their research, was the focus of a two-day masterclass presented to members of the SAEON Graduate Student Network (GSN) on 18 – 19 March 2021.
On 4 March SAEON hosted its very first online FameLab heat. FameLab is an international competition for young scientists (aged 21 to 35) in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The young scientists are challenged to communicate their science to a public audience in under three minutes. Their talks should be fun and engaging, without using jargon or formal presentations, therefore making their science relevant to everyone. The talks are judged based on content, clarity and charisma.
The SAEON Graduate Student Network (GSN) steering committee were forerunners in all stages of the successful FameLab event – from the planning and presentation stage to directing the programme of the day in collaboration with the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA), Jive Media Africa and the British Council.
The workshop was aimed at postgraduate students in environmental science of the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the QwaQwa campus of the University of the Free State. The purpose was to introduce students to data science programmes and to equip them with the necessary skills to analyse datasets for their studies.
The GSN is run by a steering committee made up of SAEON students, who are responsible for various portfolios. Each member can assume office for a period of up to two years. Steering committee members either volunteer themselves for portfolios or are nominated by SAEON staff or GSN members.
