Last year (2024), the Japan Science Communication (SciCom) Forum (JSF) was held in October according to my August 13, 2024 posting. This year’s joint event with the Public Communication of Science and Technology (PCST) Network will be in November 2025,
Here’s more from a May 27, 2025 Japan SciCom Forum (JSF) press release on EurekAlert,
The Japan SciCom Forum (JSF) will host its 7th annual conference as a special joint event, the PCST Symposium Japan 2025, from November 11 to 13 [2025] at the Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI), Institute of Science Tokyo.
Organised in collaboration with the Public Communication of Science and Technology (PCST) Network—the world’s largest science communication network—this symposium marks the first time a PCST event will be held in Japan. Themed “Strategic Development of Science Communication and Public Engagement in Asia,” the symposium will highlight innovative practices and global solutions for engaging diverse publics in non-Western contexts, aiming to foster a sustainable science communication ecosystem in the region [emphasis mine].
Building on the momentum of six successful JSF conferences since 2018, the 2025 symposium will bring together researchers, practitioners, educators, and institutional leaders from around the world to exchange ideas, form collaborations, and inspire new directions in science communication.
This year’s programme will centre on two key themes:
- Education and Training – Exploring models to formalise and professionalise science communication education and training across Asia.
- Science and Society – Bridging the gap between research and practice to strengthen public engagement and communication impact.
A unique feature of the symposium will be its Working Groups, each led by prominent science communicators. These groups will engage participants in meaningful dialogue and co-creation, with the outcomes consolidated into white papers to guide strategic development in the region.
“As a ‘working-symposium’, it’s exciting to have every participant play an active role in shaping the future of science communication in Asia. Through hands-on working groups, we’re creating space for real dialogue, co-creation, and shared ownership of the strategies that will emerge from this event,” said Thilina Heenatigala, Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI), co-chair of the symposium.
Ayumi Koso, National Institute of Genetics (NIG), co-chair of the symposium added, “hosting this international symposium in Japan offers a unique opportunity to bring together science communicators from around the world—global, regional, and local—to collaboratively focus on the specific strategies we need in Asia. It’s about building connections, learning from each other, and charting a path forward that is inclusive and rooted in our context.”
“One of the core missions of PCST is to support the growth of science communication not only globally, but also regionally and locally. By collaborating on this symposium in Japan, we’re helping to strengthen science communication ecosystems in Asia and ensure that local voices and practices are part of the global conversation,” said Anne Dijkstra, University of Twente, advisory committee member of the symposium.
Registration and abstract submissions are now open. Registration fee (5,000JPY) waiver grants are available for those who need support (until June 30 [2025]).
For registration and more information, visit the official symposium website: https://www.japansci.com/conference/jsf25
The reference to ‘non-Western contexts’ gets a little more pointed on the 2025 symposium homepage, Note: The emphasis is not mine,
The PCST Symposium 2025 Tokyo, Japan, will bring together researchers, practitioners, lecturers, and other scholars in and around science communication to discuss the strategic development of science communication and public engagement across Asia. With a focus on non-Western contexts, this symposium aims to highlight innovative research and practices that address the region’s unique challenges and opportunities in fostering sustainable science communication ecosystems. The discussions will centre on how to professionalise science communication, enhance education and training, and bridge the gap between research and society. While the symposium focuses on Japan and the wider Asia region, it welcomes participants from the West and other regions to share their work and engage in discussions about making it relevant to non-Western contexts.
The symposium will engage in two key thematic areas: Education and Training, with a focus on formalising and expanding science communication programmes across Asia, including collaborations with industry and cultural institutions and integrating AI and digital skills; and Science and Society, which will explore how to effectively connect research with public needs through co-creation, policy development, and impact measurement. Special attention will be given to addressing multilingual communication, cultural contexts, and regional media landscapes, ensuring that science communication is inclusive and relevant to diverse publics across Japan and the Asia region.
There’s still a little time left to submit your abstract should you wish to present at the symposium, from the 2025 symposium homepage,
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Important dates:
- Abstract submission deadline: June 8, 2025 17:00 JST
- Abstract acceptance notification: July 8, 2025 17:00 JST
- Registration deadline: September 1, 2025 17:00 JST [or you can Register and submit your abstracts: https://forms.gle/HbmCbEHemT2fBWzG9]
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You can also do this “For any enquiries, please contact the organising team: info (AT) japansci.com.”
There’s more information about the Public Communication of Science and Technology (PCST) Network from PCST’s History webpage,
Science communication network since 1989
The International Network on Public Communication of Science and Technology (known by the acronym of PCST) is one of the first, most general in scope and probably the widest of the international networks operating today for the public communication of science and technology.
It was born in 1989 after the first International Meeting on Public Scientific Communication that took place at Poitiers, France. The 130 participants from 14 countries decided to meet again to discuss the public’s growing need for more information about scientific and technological matters and all the problems and developments concerning science communication.
The aim of the network is to multiply opportunities for exchange and co-operation among both researchers of PCST and PCST professionals who work in the many diverse but complementary fields of public communication of science and technology. It especially intends to facilitate these interactions on an international basis to foster exchanges between different cultural approaches.
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As for the Japan SciCom Forum (JSF), here’s more from the About JSF webpage,
Japan SciCom Forum (JSF) is a community of science communicators. We aim to build a network to share knowledge, highlight best practices and new tools, and boost English-language science communication in Japan. The JSF organises an annual conference and regular online meetups called ‘socials’ to gather the community. These conferences gathered over 500 researchers, practitioners, lecturers, public information officers, and students across Japan. The community now meets bimonthly online for relevant presentations and shares job postings and events via a mailing list with over 300 members.
2018 hosted by Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI), Tokyo
2019 hosted by Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI), Tokyo
2020 – cancelled due to COVID-19
2021 hosted by Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI), Tokyo (virtual)
2022 hosted by Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST), Okinawa (hybrid)
2023 hosted by Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST), Okinawa
2024 hosted by Kyushu University, Fukuoka
2025 hosted by Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI), Tokyo – joint symposium PCST
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To sum it up, there’s still time to submit (1) an abstract (until June 8, 2025); (2) the registration deadline is September 1, 2025; and (3) the focus is on Japan and the wider Asian region and non-Western science communication contexts..
