About JSF

Japan SciCom Forum (JSF) is a conference and community of practice for anyone working on globally targeted science communication and outreach from Japan. Our goal is to build a network and professional identity, share knowledge and highlight best practices and new tools, and boost the English-language and international initiatives of Japanese higher education and research institutions.


Three annual conferences hosted by the Earth-Life Science Institute in Tokyo have gathered over 400 press officers, researchers and students from across Japan. The community now meets bimonthly online for relevant presentations, and shares job postings and events via a mailing list with over 200 members. JSF was started in 2018 by two press officers and the conference organizing team has grown to six people. Volunteers and programming ideas are regularly solicited from the membership.

JSF logo concept:

The logo forms four human figures representing communication, network, and collaboration. The colours represent the diversity of experts and people of JSF. The design highlights JSF's vision: to build a diverse community from Japan and abroad to advance science communication in Japan through collaboration.

Designer:

The JSF logo is designed and conceptualised by a graphic design expert, Kaori Serakaki. As a designer, Serakaki has contributed research activities of many scientists at OIST through illustrations and design during her time at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST). Born and raised in Onna Village in Okinawa, Serakaki witnessed the growth of OIST and continues to support science through her design and illustration skills.

JSF TEAM

  • Ayumi Koso, NIG (2018-)

  • Thilina Heenatigala, ELSI (2019-)

  • Tomomi Okubo, OIST (2020-)

  • Lucy Dickie, OIST (2022-)

  • Danielle Ellenby, OIST (2022-)

  • Rei Takahashi, UTokyo (2021-)

  • Euan McKay, Kobe University (2022-)


Past members

  • Amanda Alvarez (2018-2021)

  • Taka Sasabe (2019-2021)

  • Kaoru Natori (2018-2019)

  • Elizabeth Tasker (2018)

  • Motoko Kakubayashi (2018)