Science Communication in the Age of Misinformation
Jennifer Gunter | Darren Saunders
In today's fast paced digital age where misinformation spreads like wildfire, the importance of science communication has never been more critical. From bogus health claims to pseudoscientific theories, the online landscape is rife with inaccuracies that undermine public trust in science. But New York Times bestseller Jennifer Gunter is trying to change this. Dubbed the internet’s gynaecologist, Gunter became an overnight celebrity when she debunked Trump’s medical examination letter and she continues to educate the masses each day.
In conversation with NSW Deputy Chief Scientist Darren Saunders exclusively for UNSW staff and students and chaired by NSW Deputy Chief Scientist Darren Saunders, Gunter will shed light on the challenges facing modern science communicators and offer invaluable insights on how to navigate this uncharted terrain. With institutions and scientists facing unprecedented scrutiny, it's imperative to explore new ways to rebuild trust and credibility in science before it’s too late.
This event is presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas, UNSW Medicine & Health and UNSW Science as a part of National Science Week.
LIVE EVENT & VENUE INFORMATION
The Colombo Theatre A is located at UNSW Sydney's Kensington Campus. Please note this is a live event only, and will not be available via livestream.
TICKETS
ACCESS
Wheelchair Access
The closest accessible drop off point to the Colombo Theatre A is the north entrance via High Street, Gate 4 and Fig Tree Lane. More information on getting there can be found via our interactive accessibility map available here.
Assisted Listening
The Colombo Theatre A has a hearing loop. Patrons wishing to utilise this need to simply switch their hearing aid to the T (Telecoil) setting to pick up on the wireless signal.
Auslan & Captioning
Auslan interpreting services and/or live captioning can be provided for selected talks upon request.
Contact
To book and discuss access services, please call the Centre for Ideas on 02 9065 0485 or email centreforideas@unsw.edu.au.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT & PARKING
The Colombo Theatre A is easily accessible via public transport. The closest light rail stop is UNSW High Street (L2 line). The closest bus stop is UNSW Gate 8, High Street (348, 370). For more information, call the Transport infoline on 131 500 or visit transportnsw.info.
Paid casual and visitor parking is offered via the CellOPark App and ‘pay by plate meters’ in all other UNSW car parks. The Morven Brown Car Park (Gate 8) is the closest to the venue, and is located here. The Botany St Car Park (Gate 11) also has additional parking on offe and is a short walk to the venue.
Paid casual and visitor parking is offered via the CellOPark App and ‘pay by plate meters’ in all other UNSW car parks. For more information head here.
CONTACT
For all the other enquiries, please email centreforideas@unsw.edu.au or call the Centre for Ideas on 02 9065 0485.
The Centre for Ideas is happy to receive phone calls via the National Relay Service. TTY users, phone 133 677, then ask for 02 9065 0485. Speak and Listen users, phone 1300 555 727 then ask for 02 9065 0485. For more information on all other relay calls visit here.
Jennifer Gunter
Dr Jen Gunter, originally from Winnipeg, is an internationally renowned OB/GYN. In addition to her most recent book, Blood: The Science, Medicine, and Mythology of Menstruation, she is the author of the two New York Times bestsellers, The Vagina Bible and The Menopause Manifesto. She is the host of the CBC docuseries Jensplaining and her TED Talk on menstruation was the third most viewed TED Talk of 2020. She’s been called the internet’s OB/GYN, and one of the fiercest advocates for women’s health. Her mission is to build a better medical internet because to be empowered about health, one must have accurate information. Her writing has appeared in various publications, including The New York Times, Dame, The New Republic, and The Guardian. She runs a blog called The Vajenda, and her medical practice is in San Francisco, California.
Darren Saunders
Darren is a Eureka Prize winning scientist and communicator, with over 20 years of academic and industrial experience in cancer biology and neuroscience in Australia and North America. Darren is a public advocate for gender equality in STEM. He has worked with former Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick and Co as a senior advisor and data expert on numerous workplace cultural reviews, examining the nature and prevalence of sexual harm, bullying, racism and other forms of systemic discrimination in a range of organisations in the mining, aviation, education, arts and law enforcement sectors.
Darren is a regular commentator on television and radio, and resident scientist on ABC TV’s The Drum and Channel 7’s Daily Edition. He is currently NSW Deputy Chief Scientist & Engineer and Executive Director of the Office of the NSW Deputy Chief Scientist & Engineer, and Adjunct Associate Professor in Medical Sciences at the University of Sydney.
Caroline Ford (Introduction)
Professor Caroline Ford is passionate about science communication and enhancing the health literacy of the wider community. In 2017 she was named as an inaugural ‘Superstar of STEM’ by Science & Technology Australia and in 2018 she founded the STEMMinist Book Club, a now global network that reads and discusses books on feminism, leadership and STEMM. She is a cancer researcher and leads the Gynaecological Cancer Research Group at UNSW with a focus on ovarian and endometrial cancer, as well as benign gynaecological diseases including endometriosis.
