Fresh Science helps researchers find voice

Two CDU early career researchers have taken part in the Fresh Science program in a national competition that helps early career researchers find and share their stories of discovery.

Fresh Science is a program that takes up-and-coming researchers with little or no media experience and turns them into spokespeople for science, giving them a taste of life in the limelight, with a day of media training and a public event.

Rebecca Rogers and Cara Penton took part in the Melbourne event recently, showcasing their unique Northern Australia research projects.

Ms Rogers has been researching the use of weather radar in improving understanding of the movements of bird species such as the Top End’s Magpie Geese. Ms Penton is investigating whether the decline of threatened tree-dwelling mammals could be linked to access to tree hollows in the Northern Territory. 

The competition involves young researchers presenting their work in the time it takes for a sparkler to burn out.

Ms Rogers said the event was a great experience.

“As a researcher we are always excited to share what we have learnt but catching people’s attention and then keeping it is always a challenge. Fresh Science has you hone our pitch,” she said.

Ms Penton said she enjoyed creating awareness and making her research accessible to the public.

“It’s important to continually practise communicating and engaging the public in the science we research. And it’s particularly rewarding when you see people coming back to you with questions that shows they are interested and motivated by your work,” she said.