Following the success of Scimex’s Indigenous Media Mentoring program in February 2020, the science media organisation will re-run the program during 2021 – and is now inviting Indigenous STEM researchers from around Australia to register their interest.

The two-day intensive media training program is being conducted in collaboration with National Indigenous Television (NITV-SBS) on 8 and 9 April 2021, at the SBS studios in Sydney.

Expressions of interest are open to all active researchers who identify as Indigenous and work in any area of STEM:

• With at least two years postdoctoral experience (or similar experience)
• Who have an interesting research story to tell
• Want to learn how to communicate their research to the public

Indigenous researchers wanting to benefit from this opportunity should send a current CV and short paragraph about themselves and their research interests to immp@smc.org.au. The closing date for expressions of interest is Monday 21 December 2020. 

This video gives an insight to the 2020 participants’ experience, which provided training to develop practical skills in TV, radio and print media. The program also guided discussions on the challenges and opportunities of being an Indigenous research voice in the media and on how best to navigate the media landscape.

The program provides ongoing opportunities to build a media profile through avenues such as the Science Media Exchange (Scimex.org), the Australian Academy of Science and our network of science journalists. We also offer optional media placements with media partners. In the past these have included The Conversation, The Sydney Morning Herald and NITV/SBS.

The small group of participants in the program will be mentored by Indigenous journalists and (where appropriate) Indigenous experts with media experience.

This program is proudly supported by CSL and some funding will be available to assist with travel and/or accommodation, should it be required. A flyer about the program and details are available online at https://www.smc.org.au/immp.

Scimex is also keen to develop a wider list of Indigenous research experts available to talk to the media and invite all Indigenous researchers to sign up to the Scimex database.