On the first day of the new academic year, an ambitious new blog hit the ground running. ScIU: Conversations in Science @ Indiana University is a brand-new tool for connecting with life in the lab at the IU College of Arts and Sciences.
Spearheaded by the assistant dean for research and director of science outreach in the College Jo Anne Tracy, the project had instant buyin from a remarkably dedicated group of graduate students, several from PBS, ready on cue to convey their passion for the research and ideas behind what they, their mentors and collaborators do as scientists. The hope is to spark a genuinely two-way conversation, which will enable those on both sides of the computer screen to learn more about the other’s views.
As Tracy sees it, its purpose is “not just to ‘talk about’ science but to actively solicit from those outside of the scientific arena what they would like to know from scientists and how scientists can help them make informed decisions in their lives.”
“One of the wonderful things I have learned from this project,” adds Tracy, “is that graduate students are very aware of the importance of engaging the public in science and of their role in creating a science-literate public. They want the opportunity to write about science for this purpose and I am really gratified that I stumbled on a means to help them do so.”