Webinar-3 Concept notes
African Genetic Biocontrol Consortium Webinar Series
Dates: Thursday August 20 – 1500hours to 1700 hours EAT/ 12noon GMT
Truth Under the Microscope: Checking Claims and Clarifying Science for Various Audiences
ABOUT THE WEBINAR SERIES
Biotechnology is increasingly being applied in health, agriculture, and industry across Africa and globally, yet reporting on these developments remains complex. Journalists, scientists and communicators must navigate technical subject matter, uneven regulatory systems across countries, limited access to specialized scientific sources, and public debates shaped by misinformation, political narratives, ethical concerns, cultural values, and low public familiarity with emerging technologies. Although global adoption is growing, uptake across Africa remains relatively low, making clear, accurate, and trusted communication essential to public and stakeholder acceptance of emerging biotechnologies such as engineered gene drives, gene editing, and synthetic biology. Despite important progress, misinformation about the value, safety, and effectiveness of these technologies persists, and communication in Africa continues to be shaped by diverse political, social and cultural contexts.
In this regard, the BioTRUST Institute and African Genetic Biocontrol Consortium (AGBC), in collaboration with the Elizabeth R. Griffin Program at Johns Hopkins University, are running a webinar series : “Truth Under the Microscope”
Webinar 3 Topic: Checking Claims and Clarifying Science for Various Audiences: Thur, Aug, 20
This webinar is designed to strengthen participants’ ability to check claims, interpret scientific evidence and communicate science clearly to different audiences, including the public, media, policymakers, educators, community leaders and professional stakeholders. The session combines practical guidance, examples, discussion, and audience engagement to help participants distinguish evidence-based information from opinion, misinformation, uncertainty and oversimplification.
Webinar 3 Overview: The webinar provides a practical foundation for assessing scientific claims and tailoring explanations for different audience needs. It focuses on identifying credible sources, understanding uncertainty, avoiding jargon, addressing misconceptions respectfully, and presenting evidence in accessible formats. The webinar also includes presentations and a panel discussion where experts and practitioners explore real-world challenges in communicating science accurately and responsibly.
Webinar 3 Objectives: The objectives aim to help participants:
- Understand why verifying scientific claims is essential for trustworthy communication.
- Recognize misleading, exaggerated, or unsupported claims.
- Evaluate sources, evidence, methods, context, and uncertainty.
- Communicate scientific information clearly and accurately to different audiences.
- Respond constructively to misinformation and audience questions.
- Apply practical claim-checking and science communication practices.
Overall Outcome
Participants will be better equipped to question, verify, interpret and communicate scientific claims responsibly, helping them make informed decisions and contribute to more accurate and trustworthy public communication of science.
The webinar will be held online via Zoom, with French and English interpretation on Thursday, August 20, from 1500 to 1700 hours EAT/ 12 NOON GMT.
This series is ideal for professionals seeking practical tools to make complex science more accessible, credible, and relevant in today’s fast-changing information environment.
About BioTRUST Institute
The BioTRUST Institute, also known as the BioTrust Hub, is an EHS Consultancy initiative that promotes trust, transparency, and ethical innovation in biotechnology and the life sciences. As a training institute, BioTRUST offers CPD-certified courses leading to certificates and diplomas in science communication for scientists and journalists. Through workshops, educational resources, policy advocacy, and collaborative engagement, the Hub supports responsible biotechnology development and helps build an inclusive ecosystem that strengthens public confidence and benefits society. It brings together researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, and the public to share knowledge, develop standards, and address key issues such as data privacy, bioethics, and regulatory compliance.
About the African Genetic Biocontrol Consortium
The African Genetic Biocontrol Consortium (AGBC) is a leading African platform that translates genetic biocontrol science into safe, ethical, and impactful solutions for agriculture and public health.
AGBC provides a platform for African experts and institutions to interact, strengthen technical capacity, exchange knowledge, and deliberate on the challenges and opportunities associated with genetic biocontrol technologies.
AGBC seeks to build informed local leadership to support the development, decision-making, and responsible use of genetic biocontrol technologies for animal health, public health, wildlife conservation, and environmental protection in Africa.
About Elizabeth Griffin Foundation
The Elizabeth R. Griffin Foundation was established in memory of Elizabeth “Beth” Griffin, a young researcher who died in 1997 following a laboratory-acquired infection associated with a preventable occupational exposure. The Foundation’s work originated from her family’s commitment to preventing similar tragedies while promoting safe and responsible biomedical research. Today, this legacy is advanced through global health security initiatives focused on biosafety, biosecurity, occupational health, and practical biorisk management solutions that are locally appropriate, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of researchers, health workers and communities.
Potential Outcomes from webinar 3: By the end of the session, participants should be able to:
- Appreciate the importance of scientific verification in promoting accurate, credible, and trustworthy communication.
- Identify misinformation and misleading claims by recognizing exaggerated, unsupported, biased, or scientifically questionable statements.
- Critically evaluate scientific claims by examining the quality and credibility of sources, evidence, research methods, context and levels of uncertainty.
- Distinguish evidence from opinion or speculation, and understand the difference between strong, limited, emerging and insufficient evidence.
- Apply practical fact-checking skills to investigate and verify scientific information before sharing or communicating it.
- Communicate scientific findings accurately and clearly while adapting language, explanations and examples to different audiences.
- Explain uncertainty and limitations responsibly, avoiding overstatement or false certainty when presenting scientific evidence.
- Respond constructively to misinformation and questions by using evidence-based, respectful and non-confrontational approaches.
- Build confidence in evaluating scientific information encountered in traditional media, social media, online platforms and everyday conversations.
- Promote a culture of evidence-based communication in which scientific claims are checked, contextualized and communicated responsibly.
SERIES RUNDOWN
|
# |
Date |
Webinar Title |
SPEAKERS /Panelists |
Moderators |
|
1. |
06/08/2026 (Thursday) 1500-1700hrs. EAT |
Tackling Disinformation and Misinformation in emerging technologies and life sciences |
1. Erin Sorrell – Elizabeth R. Griffin Program 2. Peter Babigumira Ahabwe, Uganda-SIMBA 3. Justin Overcash-FNIH 4. Tara Kirk Sell- JHU |
Rosalia Omungo Gloria Ogbaki Arouna Ouedraogo |
|
2. |
13/08/2026 (Thursday) 1500-1700hrs. EAT |
Trust by Design: Communicating emerging technologies with Confidence
|
1. Aishwarya Nagar 2. Joseph Odongo 3. Zibusiso Masuku, Africa CDC 4. Jean Kabere- NEPAD |
Mary Ama Kudom & Momar Dieng |
|
3. |
20/08/2026 (Thursday) 1500-1700hrs EAT |
Checking Claims and Clarifying Science for various Audiences
|
1. Givemore Munhenga 2. Moussa Savadogo 3. John Komen 4. Amelie Wamba |
Michael Simire & Alanna Fogarty |
|
4. |
27/08/2026 (Thursday) 1500-1700hrs EAT |
Reporting the Science Right: Covering Emerging technologies responsibly
|
1. Bakara Dicko 2. Alex Atuhaire 3. Lina Finda 4. Etienne Bilgo |
Koffi Bonney & Florida Maritim |
|
5. |
03/09/2026 (Thursday) 1500-1700hrs EAT |
Evidence to Influence: Communicating Science for Policy Impact
|
1. Sandra Lombe 2. Agnes Yemisi Asagbra 3. Deodatus Balile 4. Abraham Isah |
Kane Lamine & Engela Duvenage |
|
6. |
10/09/2026 (Thursday) 1500-1700hrs. EAT |
Rising Voices: Preparing Africa’s Next Science Communicators
|
1. Tidiane Hamadou 2. Antonio Nkodjo 3. Bridget Onochie 4. Lydia Radoli |
Bernard Mwinzi & Kadiatou Sanogo |
