Post-Symposium Events

Post-symposium events will be held at the same venue on Thursday, November 13, in the afternoon. Participation is free of charge, and non-symposium participants are also welcome to attend. Registration for post-events will be open in late September.

EurekAlert! Japan User Meeting (14:00 – 15:30)
The EurekAlert! Japan Portal User Meeting for International Information Dissemination will be held as part of the PCST Japan Symposium in Tokyo. AAAS/EurekAlert! Representative Brian Lin, Director of Editorial Content Strategy, will chair the meeting and allow participants to exchange views. EurekAlert! PIO members, press officers, and other interested parties can attend.

JSF Practitioner Workshops (15:30 – 17:00)

• • Workshop 1: Preparing Impactful Press Releases and the Responsible Use of AI in Science Communication 

  • Workshop 2: Unlocking the Power of Branding for Universities 

  • Workshop 3: The Cost of Hype: Lessons from Misleading Science Stories 

  • Workshop 4: SciComm-AI Masterclass: GenAI to Communicate Science through Outreach 

EurekAlert! Japan User Meeting (14:00 – 15:30)

The EurekAlert! Japan Portal User Meeting for International Information Dissemination will be held as part of the PCST Japan Symposium. This special session will provide a unique opportunity for Japanese press officers, public information officers (PIOs), and communication professionals to engage directly with AAAS/EurekAlert! Representative Brian Lin, Director of Editorial Content Strategy at EurekAlert!.

Brian Lin will chair the meeting, facilitating an open exchange of views and experiences on international science communication, best practices for media engagement, and effective use of the EurekAlert! platform. The meeting is open not only to EurekAlert! PIO members, but also to press officers, science communicators, and other interested participants who wish to strengthen their capacity for global information dissemination and connect with peers across institutions.

By situating the meeting within the broader PCST Japan Symposium, the event highlights the growing importance of international collaboration in science communication and provides a valuable forum for dialogue between Japanese institutions and the global EurekAlert! community.

JSF Practitioner Workshops (15:30 – 17:00)

• • Workshop 1: Preparing Impactful Press Releases and the Responsible Use of AI in Science Communication by Jeffrey Robens, Head of Community Engagement, Springer Nature

    • Abstract: This interactive seminar aims to strengthen your science communication strategy with two timely topics: crafting impactful press releases and using AI responsibly. First, we will discuss strategies to effectively collaborate with researchers, structure compelling narratives, and convey complex science clearly to non-specialists. Then, we will explore how generative AI can enhance your communication efforts, along with practical tips for effective prompting and identifying potential risks and biases. Designed for science communication professionals, this session blends practical insights with hands-on activities to help you communicate science more clearly, creatively, and responsibly.

    • Speaker’s Bio: Dr. Jeffrey Robens is Head of Community Engagement at Nature Portfolio and is the Lead Trainer for the Expert Trainer-led Nature Masterclasses—training workshops to improve publication output worldwide. He has strong scientific qualifications with 20 years of academic experience and numerous publications and awards. He received his PhD from the University of Pennsylvania and then worked at premier research institutes in Singapore and Japan. Since leaving academia in 2012, he has conducted over 650 days academic training workshops worldwide to help institutions improve their publication output and research impact.

    • Pre-requisites for participants: We recommend that participants to bring their laptops for the hands-on activities. Further, we encourage participants to bring a recent press release to work on during the session.

• • Workshop 2: Unlocking the Power of Branding for Universities by Professor Shirley Chong, Director of Communications and Institutional Research, City University of Hong Kong. Facilitated by Kasuhiro Sekiguchi, Project Professor, Headquarters for Co-Creation Strategy, National Institutes of Natural Sciences. Supported by Research University Consortium (RUC)

    • Abstract: Join us for an engaging workshop titled "Unlocking the Power of Branding for Universities," designed for communications practitioners. This session will provide essential insights into effective branding strategies that can attract international students, faculty, and funding. Participants will engage in small group discussions about their universities, learning how to craft a compelling brand narrative and maintain consistency across all communications. We’ll also explore innovative engagement techniques and methods for measuring brand effectiveness. By the end of the workshop, attendees will be equipped with actionable strategies to elevate their institution's brand in a competitive educational landscape.

    • Speaker’s Bio: Professor (Ms.) Shirley Chong joined City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) in 2016 and is currently Director of Communications and Institutional Research (DCIRO). She leads the university’s communications and ranking strategies, with expertise in internationalisation, marketing, and reputation management. In 2024, she was elected Visiting Fellow at Lucy Cavendish College, University of Cambridge, recognising her leadership in higher education communications. She also serves as an Adjunct Professor in Media and Communication at CityUHK. Active in the Times Higher Education W100 Reputation Network, she contributes to global reputation initiatives and training, particularly in branding and reputation.

    • Pre-requisites for participants: TBC.

• • Workshop 3: The Cost of Hype: Lessons from Misleading Science Stories by Motoko Kakubayashi, International Officer, Science Media Centre of Japan

    • Abstract: Power up your science communication skills in this hands-on workshop. Learn to identify what an exaggerated headline looks like, and practice transforming hyped text into accurate, clear writing for a press release. Through interactive exercises and talks, participants will learn about common "hype traps" and what the consequences can be when scientific discoveries are sensationalised. In discussions, there will be a chance to share experiences with misinformation and preserve the public's excitement about research. This workshop is recommended for science communicators who are looking for ways to keep a balance in accuracy but also make an impact in today's media landscape.

    • Speaker’s Bio: Motoko Kakubayashi is the International Officer at the Science Media Centre of Japan, and a press officer at the University of Tokyo Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU, WPI). After completing an MSc in Physics from Massey University in her native New Zealand, she trained as a newspaper and radio journalist. After relocating to Japan in 2010, she has held positions at Waseda University, Radio New Zealand, and the Japan Science and Technology Agency to help scientists communicate with the media.

    • Pre-requisites for participants:  This workshop involves writing exercises, and it is recommended that participants bring a laptop.

• • Workshop 4: SciComm-AI Masterclass: GenAI to Communicate Science through Outreach by Mohamed Elsonbaty Ramadan, Founder, SciComm-AI, Co-Founder, Arab Forum of Science Media and Communication (AFSMC). Facilitated by David Kornhauser, Director, Global Communications, Kyoto University. Supported by Research University Consortium (RUC)

    • Abstract: This masterclass is designed for science communicators, scientists and researchers interested in communicating science through face-to-face outreach activities. This training offers practical guidance on using Generative AI tools, as ChatGPT, to develop and deliver various science outreach activities including exhibitions, school visits, university events and public lectures. Participants will master prompt engineering and techniques for tailored GenAI outputs, while critically addressing issues of accuracy, bias, and ethics. Combining theoretical and practical insights with hands-on exercises, the masterclass equips participants with actionable skills to apply immediately in their science outreach activities, fostering effective public engagement with science.

    • Speaker’s Bio: Mohamed Elsonbaty is an Award-winning Science Journalist and Communicator and AI Trainer and Lecturer. With 15 years of experience, he has published more than 750 scientific pieces in reputable outlets; developed and managed science communication projects and events to engage the public with science around the globe; delivered lectures and workshops at universities and media organisations for hundreds of science communicators, journalists, media professionals, researchers and scientists on AI and science journalism and communication. He is the Founder of SciComm-AI, Co-founder of the Arab Forum of Science Media and Communication (AFSMC), and the former Vice-President of the Public Communication of Science and Technology (PCST) network.

    • Pre-requisites for participants: Participants should bring their laptops/tablets with access to the internet.