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On October 22-23, Kyushu University hosted the sixth annual , bringing together 73 science communicators, researchers and students from Japan and abroad.

Held in Fukuoka—a city renowned for its rich history of cultural exchange and inclusivity as Japan's gateway to Asia—the forum was designed to facilitate meaningful dialogue and collaboration.

The conference began with welcome addresses from President Tatsuro Ishibashi and Senior Vice President Johan Lauwereyns. Reflecting on the significance of this year’s Japan SciCom Forum at Kyushu University, President Ishibashi noted, “Over the next two days you will engage in numerous discussions and workshops related to many topics including AI, DEI, crisis communications, and science education. It is my hope that through your time here you will boost your skills and take them back to your respective institutions, where you will expand the communications infrastructure.”

The conference featured two keynote talks from Kiki Bowman, Head of Communications at the Tokyo-based United Nations University, and Tetsukazu Yahara, Director of the Fukuoka City Science Museum and Professor Emeritus at Kyushu University. Bowman explained the power of thoughtful design as a vital tool for conveying complex information in ways that resonate with people from all backgrounds. She also highlighted that good design should go beyond aesthetics.

Yahara shared his experiences with initiatives that encourage both children and adults to learn about local biodiversity. He showcased examples of citizen science projects, where the public directly helps with scientific studies, allowing them to collect valuable research data and be active contributors to local conservation efforts.

The hands-on workshops covered diverse skills, from media engagement with Tomoko Otake from The Japan Times, to inclusive communication practices led by Akira Ohkubo of Miraikan, the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation. Participants learned about video production fundamentals with Andrew Robertson from Kyushu University and explored crisis communication strategies with Kaoru Natori from Médecins Sans Frontières Japan.

During a series of six contributed talks, presenters discussed their experiences on connecting with marginalized communities, sharing agricultural science with local farmers, and tackling public health issues like COVID-19 through accessible information. The speakers encouraged participants to explore culturally sensitive approaches and non-verbal communication to engage diverse audiences, and also covered how to use data-driven techniques to measure the impact of press releases.

Throughout the two days there were several networking sessions, including a networking dinner, allowed participants to establish new connections and share their experiences and insights.

This year, the JSF conference expanded to include two panel discussions. The first panel discussion on AI and science communication focused on the potential of AI-driven tools for reaching broader audiences and customizing content. The panelists also explored the ethical challenges associated with these technologies and emphasized the importance of using AI responsibly, ensuring it serves as an asset rather than a risk.

The second panel discussion wrapped up the conference by reflecting on this year's event and exploring potential directions for the future of JSF. The panel moderator, Johan Lauwereyns, highlighted the significance of two-way communication, mentioning, “For science to truly resonate, it’s essential that communication flows both ways—between the general public and scientists, and from scientists back to the society. This reciprocal dialogue is crucial for effective science dissemination.”

Looking ahead, Thilina Heenatigala, organizing committee member of JSF 2024, announced, “Next year, the JSF annual conference will return to its origin and will be hosted by the Earth-Life Sciences Institute at the Institute of Science Tokyo.”

(Written by Science Communicator Intern, Negar Khalili)