Editorial
This edition brings together stories from across the global science communication community, exploring trust, AI, public engagement and new ways of connecting science with society.
We also celebrate the contribution of former PCST President Brian Trench and introduce PCST Insights, our new series exploring ideas and issues shaping science communication today. We hope you enjoy this month’s selection.
If you have news of upcoming events, recent achievements, publications, or initiatives that may be of interest to the community, please send your contributions to 2271883684@qq.com or gywang@suda.edu.cn.
PCST Insights
Slow AI: knowing when to trust the machine
What can the Chernobyl fallout in Cumbria teach us about artificial intelligence today?
In the first edition of PCST Insights, Sam Illingworth explores the emerging Slow AI movement and argues for a more deliberate approach to how we develop, use and communicate about AI. Drawing on lessons from science communication, he considers why trust cannot simply be built by providing more information, and why human judgement, lived experience and critical AI literacy matter.
Celebrating Brian Trench’s contribution to science communication
Brian Trench has played an important role in shaping science communication as a field of research, teaching and practice, and in building the international community around it.
In this tribute, Declan Fahy reflects on Brian’s remarkable contribution, from developing university programmes and influential publications to strengthening international networks and mentoring generations of science communication researchers and practitioners. A former president of the PCST Network, Brian’s influence can be seen throughout the field today.
Global insights
South Africa launches its first National Science Month
South Africa has expanded its annual National Science Week into a month-long celebration of science, technology and innovation.
Launched in July under the theme “Science, Technology and Innovation Are for Everyone”, the inaugural National Science Month brought activities to communities across all nine provinces. Exhibitions, public lectures, school outreach, astronomy events and innovation showcases were among the activities designed to make science more accessible and strengthen public engagement with science.
The initiative marks a significant expansion of South Africa’s national science engagement programme, with a strong emphasis on inclusion, public trust and the role of science and innovation in society.
British Science Festival 2026 heads to Southampton
The British Science Festival returns from 16 to 20 September 2026, with this year’s five-day programme taking place across Southampton in partnership with the University of Southampton.
More than 80 free events will bring science into venues across the city through talks, workshops, exhibitions, performances and interactive experiences. The programme explores everything from AI, health and sustainability to marine science, climate action and the connections between science and the arts.
The Festival aims to bring researchers, artists and the public together to explore new ideas, debate contemporary issues and experience science in unexpected ways.
Shaping the AI systems that speak for science
As researchers increasingly use AI platforms to discover and access scientific knowledge, these systems are becoming important intermediaries in how science is communicated.
An editorial in Nature Sensors asks what role scientific publishers and editors should play in shaping the AI systems that mediate science. It considers opportunities for AI to support researchers, alongside concerns around accuracy, transparency, privacy and overreliance on automated systems.
The authors argue that publishers should be actively involved in developing how these technologies are governed, with human oversight remaining central to maintaining trust and integrity in scientific communication.
Exploring the universe through public engagement at UCL
From lunar meteorites and Mars rovers to dark matter and the search for life beyond Earth, UCL brought planetary science to the public as part of its bicentenary celebrations.
The UCL200 Your Universe Festival, held on 19 and 20 June, welcomed around 350 visitors for two days of hands-on demonstrations, talks and interactive experiences. Visitors could explore meteorites, navigate a model Mars rover and learn about lunar exploration, exoplanets and future space missions.
The festival demonstrated how hands-on experiences and conversations with researchers can bring complex areas of science to life for audiences of all ages.
Building skills in popular science writing in India
How can researchers communicate their work clearly and engagingly to audiences beyond academia?
A two-day training programme organised by CSIR-NIScPR in New Delhi brought together researchers, academics, students and professionals to develop practical skills in popular science writing and communication.
Through expert talks and hands-on sessions, participants explored science storytelling, writing research for general audiences, digital media, AI-assisted content creation, press releases and the ethical dimensions of science communication. The programme also considered career opportunities in popular science writing and the importance of making scientific research accessible to wider audiences.
Truth under the Microscope: tackling misinformation in science
How can science communicators respond effectively to misinformation and disinformation while building public trust?
Truth under the Microscope is a six-part webinar series exploring these challenges in emerging technologies and the life sciences. Organised by the BioTRUST Institute and the African Genetic Biocontrol Consortium, in collaboration with the Elizabeth R. Griffin Program at Johns Hopkins University, the series brings together scientists, communicators and other experts to examine information integrity and evidence-based communication.
Topics across the series include communicating emerging technologies, checking scientific claims, responsible reporting, communicating science for policy impact and preparing the next generation of African science communicators.
Rice University launches new science communication centre
Rice University in the United States has launched the Center for Science Communication and Public Engagement (SCOPE), a new initiative dedicated to strengthening connections between scientists and the public.
Based in the university’s Wiess School of Natural Sciences, SCOPE will provide science communication education and training for students, faculty and staff, alongside public engagement activities. Its plans include undergraduate courses and a certificate in public science communication, online learning opportunities, Science Cafés and community outreach.
The centre will launch its public programme with a science communication symposium on 11 September, followed by a free community open house on 12 September as part of the Houston Science Festival.
Science communicators should listen to the people in the middle
Public trust in scientists remains strong in Australia, but a growing number of people are uncertain about major scientific issues, according to a new survey from the Australian National University.
The survey of 1,255 Australians found that rather than becoming more opposed to science, many people are increasingly choosing not to take a position on issues such as climate change, genetically modified food and emerging technologies. At the same time, the proportion of people who feel well informed about science has declined.
For science communicators, the findings point to the importance of listening and genuine conversation, particularly with those who are uncertain, rather than relying on one-way communication to provide more information.
Scientifica 2026 brings science to 40,000 visitors
Around 40,000 people took part in Scientifica 2026, the science festival organised by ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich, making this year’s edition the largest yet.
Under the theme “How we create knowledge”, more than 1,500 researchers, students and start-ups shared their work with the public over nine days. Exhibitions, laboratory visits, demonstrations, workshops, shows and discussions gave visitors opportunities to explore research and engage directly with the people behind it.
Activities took place across university campuses, the Zurich Innovation Park and locations throughout the city, bringing research out of the laboratory and creating opportunities for people of all ages to experience science first-hand.
Public health and AI conference comes to Macao
The 2026 International Conference on Public Health and AI (PHAICOM Macau 2026) will take place on 22 September at the Macau University of Science and Technology.
The one-day programme brings together researchers working across public health, infectious diseases, environmental exposure, medical AI, health data and trusted research environments. Sessions will explore topics including the role of AI in healthcare and public health, infectious disease intelligence and international collaboration around health data.
The scientific programme will be followed by the TREMAC International Science Outreach Briefing, connecting research with international cooperation and science outreach.
Registration is free.
SCIENCE TALK ’27 calls for session proposals
The Association of Science Communicators is inviting session proposals for SCIENCE TALK ’27, taking place in Chicago, USA, on 8 and 9 April 2027.
Organisers are looking for practical strategies, new research, case studies, tools and lessons that can advance the practice of science and technology communication. Proposals should offer insights that participants can apply to their own work, including lessons from approaches that did not go as planned.
Five conference tracks cover content creation and public engagement, science policy and civic science, institutional and industry communication, the science of science communication, and creative approaches to science storytelling.
Deadline for proposals: 30 September 2026
World Conference of Science Journalists 2027 calls for session proposals
The 14th World Conference of Science Journalists (WCSJ2027) will take place in London, UK, from 6 to 9 September 2027, bringing together science journalists, editors, researchers and communicators from around the world.
Under the theme “Strengthening science journalism through global networks”, the conference will explore the challenges and opportunities facing science journalism through workshops, discussions, keynotes and networking.
Organisers are currently inviting proposals for conference sessions, offering an opportunity to help shape conversations around the future of science journalism and communication.
Deadline for session proposals: 30 November 2026
China’s science museums draw more than 30 million summer visitors
Science and technology museums across China welcomed more than 30 million visitors during the 2026 summer period, with more than 100,000 educational activities and interactive exhibit experiences taking place nationwide.
Museums are increasingly moving beyond traditional displays to create more immersive and participatory forms of science engagement. Visitors encountered everything from AR-guided experiences and immersive space exhibitions to hands-on engineering activities, science theatre and programmes combining science with traditional cultural practices.
The summer programme reflects a broader shift towards encouraging visitors not simply to observe science, but to explore, experiment and participate.
CAST forum explores AI ethics and governance
Experts from academia, research institutes and industry came together in Beijing for a forum examining the ethical challenges surrounding artificial intelligence and how its development should be governed.
Held as part of the 28th Annual Meeting of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), discussions explored AI ethics and safety, value alignment, ethical review and the governance challenges posed by rapidly developing AI technologies.
Participants called for AI governance to move beyond responding to problems after they arise, towards earlier ethical intervention and greater collaboration between government, industry, academia and the public.
Beijing launches National Science Popularisation Month
Beijing is marking 2026 National Science Popularisation Month throughout September with a citywide programme designed to bring science and research closer to the public.
Activities include the 16th Beijing Science Carnival, youth science programmes, aerospace and emergency science activities, public lectures, exhibitions, films and science reading events. Universities, laboratories and other scientific facilities will also open their doors, giving the public opportunities to encounter research, major scientific infrastructure and emerging technologies.
The programme extends beyond Beijing through cooperation with Tianjin and Hebei, including plans for a new regional science popularisation initiative covering 2026 to 2028.
Buried underpants and a new definition of kissing win 2026 Ig Nobel Prizes
From burying underwear to investigate soil health to exploring what exactly counts as a kiss, this year’s Ig Nobel Prizes once again celebrated research that is unusual, entertaining and thought-provoking.
The annual awards recognise scientific studies that first make people laugh and then make them think, drawing attention to research questions and findings that might otherwise escape the public spotlight.
The 2026 winners span a characteristically eclectic range of subjects, demonstrating how curiosity, humour and the unexpected can provide engaging ways into scientific research.
© Brian Trench. Reproduced with permission.