On 6th July 2021, colleagues from across the informal science learning and engagement community gathered online to celebrate and share the learning from the Science Capital in Practice programme a nationwide collaboration between the Science Museum Group Academy and the UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres (ASDC).
The aim of the programme was to create and foster a community of good practice, to help increase diversity and inclusion in science through applying the science capital approach in a variety of UK museums and science centres.
The seminar brought together ideas and practical advice from the 15 organisations involved in the programme. The speakers drew from their powerful experiences and reflections of delivering a diverse range of projects, many of which were impacted by the challenges of COVID-19.
Themes included top tips for internal training, reaching new audiences, embedding science capital into everyday practice, and how we can measure success.
By sharing this good practice with our wider community, they helped reveal the positive potential – and challenges – of using the science capital approach and lay the foundations for future work and ambitions to become more open and welcoming to a broader range of people.
Everyone attending the event was asked to make a pledge for what they want to do in in the future work.
Further information about the programme including the Science Capital in Practice: Foundations for the Future summary report can be found on our Science Capital in Practice webpage.
Watch the full seminar:
Seminar Key Moments
09.12 – 15.45 Introduction from the Science Museum Group
17.44 – 22.39 Science Capital in Practice programme overview
23.06 – 33.20 Top tips for internal training (Amy Boothroyd, National Coal Mining Museum and Andrew Farrer, Cambridge Science centre)
34.02 – 46.39 Reaching new audiences (Kat Kelly and Emily Fisk, Science Oxford)
59.54 – 1.17.09 Embedding science capital in everyday practice: (Kostas Minas, Aberdeen Science Centre; Alison Mclachlan, Glasgow Science Centre and Sarah Lloyd, Oxford University Museum Of Natural History)
1.17.55 – 1.30.20 Measuring success (Karen Davies, Christopher Whitby, Science Museum Group and Shaaron Leverment, ASDC):
1.31.04 – 1.59.00 Q&A
You can read more about the experiences and progress of partner organisations involved in the programme in the ‘Science Capital in Practice’ blog series.