How playing with science turned into playing with words describing science...
This is a short reflection on how this transformation played out and what lessons it has taught me.
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It all started with a fellowship...
Every scientist strives to get a fellowship. It certainly looks good on the resume, but far more importantly, it grands the freedom to travel intellectually in directions entirely chosen by you. My science writing fellowship at Current Science - the best known journal published by the Indian Academy of Sciences - offered me just that. I explored a variety of written communication - short news, featured news, interviews (one with a Noble laureate), book reviews, and opinions. You can find and read some of them under Work Snapshots. Using words to build stories about science and the people who do science was the most rewarding life experience I have had so far. I also saw myself standing on a cliff at the beginning of a journey that would take a life time of learning and improving. Storytelling in an art, but it is also a skill...
..but how about all other forms of print and online content...
I became the communications officer for one of the largest public-private IT projects in the Netherlands, led by a research group at the University of Groningen. For 4 years, I have had a leading role in building the short and long-term communication plans for the project. I produced and/or edited all printed & online communications material and publications of the project incuding website content, news, press releases, featured stories and more. I organized mnumerous public engagement activities and I coordinated our press relations. My job was a bit like the Dutch skies - dynamic, ever changing, inspiring and occasionally completely unpredictable... I truly appreciated the fact that I interacted with different communities from professors to administrators to journalists to teachers. I have slowly come to the conclusion that understanding the social culture within these communities is as valuable and important as my technical and creative skills.
I learned a lot at the University of Groningen, I learned enough to get catapulted to the position of a communications manager at University College London where I had the opportunity and privilege to work with national and global media from The Telegraph to the BBC World Service. As my knowledge and experience grew, so did my professional dreams. And I took them all with me when I joined Caltech, where I currently work as the communications & program coordinator for the GROWTH project, and writer & web content producer as part of the IPAC Communications and Education Team.
...there is more...
In terms of science communication, I've been lucky to dip my toes in script writing, radio, social media and scientific visualization for planetariums. By now, I have solid experience in planning and organizing everything from scientific conferences, workshops and seminars, to public lectures and outreach events like open days and school visits. Additionally, I regularly participate in the preparation of funding proposals, presentations, executive, technical and evaluation reports and multiple other aspects of project management. I enjoy to continually develop crucial skills that allow me to contribute in a wide variety of ways to the giant institutional machine running backstage while scientists perform their dance with the unknown.