On Tuesday, Oct. 14, C&IS hosted the Alabama Science Communication Initiative (ASCI) Summit, bringing together leading science communication experts from across the country for a day of discovery and collaboration. This summit reflects C&IS’s ongoing commitment to fostering innovation, advancing research and strengthening leadership in the communication field.
Held at the Byrant Conference Center, communication leaders from various institutions across the country examined key questions shaping the science field. Each topic was met with a round of discussion as the attendees gave unique insight on how the landscape of institutional communication is evolving and growing. The summit also offered networking opportunities for students and professionals interested in pursuing careers that bridge science and communication.
Panelists and speakers emphasized the critical role that science communicators play in taking complex research and translating it into more digestible language, especially in a time where science and public dialogue intersect more than ever. Topics like research storytelling, institutional messaging, and the future of science communication scholarship are just a few points that attendees spoke about.
Serving as the event’s faculty lead, Matthew VanDyke, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Advertising & Public Relations at UA, said he was excited to welcome such an impressive group of thought leaders to campus. As a researcher with an emphasis on public communication and how public relations intersect with science and environmental risk, VanDyke acted as a liaison for the attendees and speakers.
Hosting the summit at the Byrant Conference Center, underscored the college’s growing reputation as a hub for science communication leadership and innovation. The ASCI was founded to strengthen connections between scientists, communicators and communities, advancing how fact-based information is shared across the state and the nation.
By convening communication leaders from across academia and public institutions, C&IS continues to position The University of Alabama as a frontrunner in science communication education, research, and practice.
The success of the inaugural summit demonstrated the growing momentum behind science communication efforts in Alabama and beyond. With new ideas shared, partnerships sparked, and conversations continuing long after the final session, C&IS helped lay out the groundwork for future collaboration and innovation in this critical field.