ID:
S_139
Reflections on Public Outreach and Science Communication in Human Origins Research and Quaternary Palaeosciences
Lead Convener
Prachi Joshi Sharma Centre for Heritage Education, No. 4, School Road, Sholinganallore, Chennai 600119, Tamil Nadu, India. prachinjo@gmail.com
Co Convener(s)
K. K. Basa, National Monuments Authority, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, 24, Tilak Marg, New Delhi- 110001, India. kishorkbasa58@gmail.com Kumar Akhilesh Sharma Centre for Heritage Education, No. 4, School Road, Sholinganallore, Chennai 600119, Tamil Nadu, India. akhilarchaeo@gmail.com Sutonuka Bhattacharya Institute of Archaeology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Mt. Scopus, Jerusalem, 9190501, Israel. sutonukab@sharmaheritage.in Razika Chelli Cheheb, Centre National de Recherches Préhistoriques, Anthropologiques et Historiques (CNRPAH), Algeria. razika.chelli@gmail.com Stefanie Kanoth-Bahr, Department of Paleontology, Malteserstrasse 74-100, Building D, Room D.022, 12249 Berlin. stefanie.kaboth-bahr@fu-berlin.de Shanti Pappu Sharma Centre for Heritage Education, No. 4, School Road, Sholinganallore, Chennai 600119, Tamil Nadu, India. pappu.shanti@gmail.com
Session Keywords
Down Ancient Trails, Quaternary Science Communication, Public engagement, Ethics, Digital technologies, Immersive learning
Commission
HABCOM
Abstract Category
Outreach
Session Description
We invite papers dealing with the crucial goals of Quaternary science communication strategies with a focus on the Human Origins research, geochronology and paleoenvironmental studies. In much of the Global South, these significant topics are often ignored, overshadowed by later cultural phases. Here, we draw on issues related to public outreach, engagement and science communication for children, educators, local stakeholders, media, corporate worlds and policy makers. Traditional strategies of science communication through lectures, exhibitions and newspaper articles have radically changed after the advent of social media and widespread proliferation of digital technologies, in particular during and post the COVID-19 pandemic. To what extent have these drastic changes influenced the efficacy and accuracy of information transfer and its impact on the wider community in terms of awareness creation and policy changes for sustainable conservation? We encourage discussion on how traditional modes of public engagement via laboratory visits, science days/nights, museums, exhibitions, festivals, geoheritage and archaeological trails/tours and workshops are engaging with new digital technologies to create immersive experiences. We seek to establish global networks to carry these ideas into the future.
