I really enjoy science communication

...also known as "scicomm"

I always appreciated teachers and university lecturers who took the time to tell a story or broke down hard concepts into smaller parts......

For example, can you recall a time when someone was trying to explain something to you and you didn’t understand? And then someone else explained it in a completely different way and it clicked? Well this is why I love science communication because explaining hard concepts shouldn’t always be difficult but rather told in a way that you can relate too. Teachers and lecturers that are memorable to me are those who just did that! I want to try and do the same through my science communication.

Science communication
is action

I have been fortunate to share my research via television, including live in studio appearances, radio, print and online.

One of my most fun science communication examples is the web series called the Breach. Here are some episodes for you:

Whale-come to The Breach, where every day is a hump day. This is your one-stop shop for all things whale watching in the great state of NSW, Australia, brought to you by our hosts Vanessa Pirotta (Ph.D. Student, Cetaceans Conservation) and Mansoor Noor (Cetacean enthusiast) Whale watching is the hottest new spectator sport in 'New South Whales'.

The Breach Episode 2 - Facts and Stats Whale-come to The Breach, where every day is a hump day. This is your one-stop shop for all things whale watching in the great state of NSW, Australia, brought to you by our hosts Vanessa Pirotta (Ph.D.

It's time to get a little sexu-whale in this episode of The Breach, as Vanessa Pirotta (Ph.D. Student, Cetaceans Conservation) and Mansoor Noor (Cetacean enthusiast) put the 'hump' in humpback and explore the ins and outs of whale love. Delving into the humpback whale mating rituals of the NSW coast, The Breach is your one-stop shop for all things whale.

The Breach Migaloo Special Whale-come to The Breach, where every day is a hump day. This is your one-stop shop for all things whale watching in the great state of NSW, Australia, brought to you by our hosts Vanessa Pirotta (Ph.D.

FameLab.

FameLab is a wonderful science communication competition where competitors have just three minutes to explain their research. Competitors are only allowed props and are judged on the three C's: content, clarity and charisma.

FameLab 2018 Australian National Winner

I was very fortunate to have won the 2018 Australian FameLab National final in Perth, Western Australia. This was a great experience and allowed me to discuss PhD research via a fun and educational platform. As the Australian winner, I was flown over to the United Kingdom to represent Australia in the international finals.

FameLab 2018 International runner up

I had a wonderful time over in the UK at the annual Cheltenham Science Festival, home of the international FameLab finals. There were speakers from nearly 30 countries. I was succesful in the semi finals and progressed into the final where I was very fortunate to have won international runner up. I learnt so much and made some wonderful friends along the way.

Watch my 2018 FameLab Australia final talk

Winner of the Australian National FameLab final, Perth, Western Australia.

International runner up at FameLab, Cheltenham, United Kingdom. — International runner up at FameLab, Cheltenham, United Kingdom.

Watch my 2018 Famelab talk here

Putting the POD
in Podcast.

How to get a PhD in Whale Watching!

Have a listen to the podcast below!

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Or get it on iTunes

Meet one hardworking Sydney Uni student, Vanessa Pirotta. She works with a boat and a drone. Off Sydney (and in Antarctic waters) she has developed a health profile of migrating whales without touching them. Whales have a 12 month gestation cycle. They synchronise with the seasons. From the tropics to the roaring 40's marine mammals have a story we must listen to.

Not just whales.

Although my PhD research is primarily marine based, many of the skills I have acquired during my studies are transferable. In fact, I used to work in a zoo where I learnt all about some of the most threatened animals on earth.

A terrestrial animal we should all know about - The pangolin. Some very wonderful friends of mine in Singapore told me all about this interesting animal. Did you know they have scales? Well they do! Unfortunately, I also learnt that they are the world’s most trafficked mammal.