11 November 2025
On 29 October, Taizhou became a hub for science communication in Asia as the second “PCST and Asia” forum gathered leading experts from across the continent.
Chaired by Sook-Kyoung Cho, former president of the PCST Network, the forum examined innovative strategies to embed science communication within Asia’s diverse cultural contexts. Delegates from China, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines exchanged insights into national practices and forward-looking strategies, stimulating dialogue on policy, regional cooperation, and shared development.
A central theme of the forum was the balance between cultivating culturally distinctive approaches and fostering regional cohesion. This was illustrated through a series of national case studies. Wang Zhongmin, Vice President of the Zhejiang Association for Science and Technology, presented the province’s “Six Transformations” framework—an integrated model linking science popularisation, research, and innovation. Professor Noriko Noguchi of Doshisha University described a collaboration between Japanese universities and museums designed to bridge communication divides created by early specialisation in the arts and sciences.
Other speakers explored the philosophical and practical foundations of an Asian-centred approach. Professor Wang Guoyan of Soochow University demonstrated how advanced technology can be effectively integrated with traditional culture. Professor Kei Kano of Shiga University discussed how Eastern notions of “nature” can engage in dialogue with Western scientific perspectives. Professor Song Jin-woong of Seoul National University argued that Asia’s emerging hybrid models of communication are actively reshaping and challenging Western-centric theories. Contributions from Southeast Asia highlighted Malaysia’s national STIE plan, Thailand’s expanding science communication network, and the Philippines’ cross-disciplinary initiatives, reflecting the region’s growing dynamism and diversity.
In a major contribution to cross-cultural exchange, Professor Sook-Kyoung Cho not only underscored South Korea’s achievements in developing a national science communication infrastructure through a top-down model but also launched the Chinese edition of her book, Science Classics and Extraordinary Classrooms: 12 Big Questions Asked by Science During the 20th Century. The work, a culmination of her four-decade academic journey, interlaces scientific history, philosophy, and personal reflection.
“Science is, to some extent, global,” said PCST Network President Fabien Medvecky during the main conference, “but what truth means to people is always embedded in the local.” He emphasised the importance of contextualisation, concluding, “Local adaptation is not merely an addition; it is essential. A universal system must be reshaped to fit local realities.”
The “PCST and Asia” forum was held alongside the 2025 Sci2U (Science to You) Science Communication Conference, the third annual event organised by the Zhejiang Association for Science and Technology. Drawing participants from 22 countries, the conference centred on the theme “Ordinary People Mastering AI, Envisioning the Future.” PCST Scientific Committee members joined global experts to discuss how lay audiences can use AI to expand their understanding and creativity. Building on the momentum of its inaugural session at the 2025 PCST Conference in Aberdeen, the second “PCST and Asia” forum is establishing itself as more than a space for exchange—it is becoming a guiding force in shaping a cohesive Asian science communication community.
