Science communicators take Eco2Wine students in hand at South African training week

October 21, 2024, by Petro Kotze

How can you expand the reach of your research results beyond your scientific peer groups? The ten doctoral students participating in the Eco2Wine Project learned how in a recent workshop hosted at South Africa Wine in Paarl, a picturesque town in a South African wine-producing region. Science communication and community engagement are key components of the Eco2Wine Project, and this training aimed to teach the students advanced skills in these fields. 

The training was part of a five-day workshop on science communication, metagenomics and multivariate data analysis, presented by project beneficiary Stellenbosch University (SU) and project industry partner South Africa Wine. The sessions were presented by seasoned industry professionals, led by Professor Marina Joubert, science engagement researcher at the SU Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology (CREST).

Among the topics were factors influencing knowledge uptake in the wine industry, presented by South Africa Wine Knowledge Transfer Manager Dr Karien O’Kennedy. Jive Media Africa, an award-winning science communication training company, taught students how to develop their research brand and improve their presentation and speaking skills. Science journalist and photographer Petro Kotzé focused on writing skills and how students can use the tools of the trade (media) to become effective science communicators. One of the project doctoral candidates, Katherine Rabik, presented an overview of science communication principles and practice. The communication training was rounded off by a visit to Reyneke Wines, a prize-winning winery focusing on organic, biodynamic and holistic approaches to agriculture. 

Florian Bauer, South African Research Chair in Integrated Wine Science and Distinguished Professor in Wine Biotechnology at Stellenbosch University, CREST post-doctoral fellow Mpho Mafata and computational biologist Dr Kristien Nel Van Zyl of the SU African Microbiome Institute presented the sessions on metagenomics and multivariate data analysis. 

The students reported that the sessions helped them trust in their abilities to communicate in new and creative ways. “A personal highlight of the workshop for me was gaining confidence,” says Capucine Dentraygues. Elena Palencia Mulero adds that the skills from the workshop have improved her ability to make scientific information more relatable and accessible. Commenting on sessions that helped them simplify complex ideas and communicate these to broader audiences, María Vázquez Fernández says she found it difficult at first. Still, she improved with the help of the exercises the trainers provided her with.

The skills will be used throughout the Eco2Wine project and long after. Part of the project objective is to develop tools to communicate wine science to relevant public audiences, addressing topics such as the analysis and the safeguarding of biodiversity and consumer perceptions toward different winemaking approaches.

It is crucial to make wine science more approachable and share our knowledge with everyone regardless of their background, Dentraygues says. “By doing so, we can inspire people, creating a more inclusive community.” 

Eco2Wine GROUP PHOTO
The Eco2Wine Project PhD students spent time improving their science communication skills in South Africa. In the photo (back, from left to right): Shamin Bhandari, Aubrey Lee, Virgile Rose, María Vázquez Fernández, Elena Palencia Mulero, José Luis Padilla and Katherine Rabik; In front: Andrea Rukavina, Jeanne Laforge and Capucine Dentraygues. (Photo: Petro Kotze)

Eco2Wine VIDEO TRAINING
The communication training for Eco2Wine Project doctoral students included presentation skills and the opportunity to present their work on camera. (Photo: Petro Kotze)