Webinar 6 Topic: Rising Voices: Preparing Africa’s Next Science Communicators
African Genetic Biocontrol Consortium Webinar Series
Dates: Thursday September 10 – 1500hours to 1700 hours EAT/ 12noon GMT
Truth Under the Microscope: Webinar 6 Topic: Rising Voices: Preparing Africa’s Next Science Communicators:
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”
Rising Voices: Preparing Africa’s Next Science Communicators is a two-hour webinar designed to spotlight the growing role of African science communicators in shaping public understanding, trust, and engagement with science. Organized by AGBC, the session brings together two moderators and a panel of practitioners, researchers, media professionals, innovators, and youth voices to discuss how Africa can build a stronger pipeline of science storytellers who translate research into accessible, credible, and locally relevant narratives.
Webinar 6 Objectives: The objectives aim to help participants:
- Set a shared context for the webinar by clarifying AGBC’s purpose, the importance of responsible science communication, and the relevance of genetic biocontrol to Africa’s development agenda.
- Frame the theme of “Rising Voices” by highlighting why African-led science narratives, public trust, and locally relevant storytelling matter.
- Introduce the panelists’ diverse perspectives and platforms to show multiple pathways into science communication, including public engagement, research, journalism, media training, policy, ethics, and community engagement.
- Examine the current state of science communication in Africa by identifying opportunities, gaps, misconceptions, language barriers, misinformation challenges, and examples of effective practice.
- Identify the skills and competencies needed by the next generation of science communicators, including evidence translation, storytelling, digital content creation, media literacy, ethical communication, audience segmentation, and community listening.
- Create space for audience questions and peer learning on practical entry points, mentorship, credibility, collaboration with scientists, and responsible communication of genetic biocontrol.
- Explore pathways, platforms, and partnerships that AGBC, universities, media, industry, development partners, science institutions, and youth networks can use to support emerging African science communicators.
- Generate practical recommendations and individual action commitments that participants, panelists, moderators, AGBC, and partners can take forward after the webinar.
Overall Outcome
Participants gain a clear understanding of why science communication matters for Africa’s development and competitiveness.
The webinar will be held online via Zoom, with French and English interpretation on Thursday, September 10 from 1500 to 1700 hours EAT/ 12 NOON GMT.
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.
