Log in

2024 Conference - Saskatoon

The 2024 SWCC Conference will be from May 4th - 7th in Saskatoon, SK!

Theme: Expanding Horizons

Location: The Alt Hotel in Saskatoon

There are still rooms available at the Alt Hotel for May 4th and 5th, but not for May 6th. If you still need a room, you can get our group rate at the Sheraton Hotel if the Alt is unavailable. The Sheraton is about a 15 minute walk from the conference.

The Sheraton group rate ends April 8th 2024.

May 4, 2024: Pre-conference events + Evening Reception
May 5, 2024: Full-day Conference Sessions
May 6, 2024: Full-day Conference Sessions
May 7, 2024: Collaborative event with the Canadian Association of Science Centres

2024 Fees

Register for the SWCC 2024 Conference

View the Conference Program

Member Registration: $625

Non-member Registration: $775

Student Registration: $400

Three Conference Streams

Stream 1: Technology Meets Communication

What can we learn from futurists, neuroscientists, philosophers, and AI experts about the implications of technology on the world, and the stories we tell about it?

Stream 2: Widening the Circle

What happens when we consider diverse perspectives and priorities relating to science communication in Turtle Island? What about the way we do science and tell stories about science needs to change? How does diversity lead to wholeness?

Stream 3: Beyond Disciplines

How do interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary work, community work, and engaged scholarship challenge the very structures of our institutions? Why is that important? What can we learn when we blur the edges between disciplines—in journalism, in educational institutions, in policy?

Don't Miss Out on Our Other Conference Events

May 4th 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Plain Language Workshop

May 4th 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM

Canadian Light Source + VIDO Tour

May 6th 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Networking Event

May 7th 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

A Day at Wanuskewin Heritage Park

We’re currently building our conference planning committee, so whether you live in Saskatoon or elsewhere, we’d love to share the load of planning a conference.

Get in touch with us through the Contact Us page!

SWCC Gratefully Acknowledges the Support of Our Sponsors

Silver Level

Exhibitor Level

Supporter Level

Cancellation Policy

If you have registered for our conference and then are unable to attend, you can cancel up to 30 days prior to the start of the conference. You will receive a refund, less 30% of the conference fee to cover administrative costs.

There will be no refunds within 30 days of the start of the conference (no refunds after April 4, 2024). However, registration can be transferred to another attendee up to the start of the conference.

International Delegates:

International delegates who have registered but are unable to secure a visa to travel to Canada will receive a full refund up to one month prior to the start of the conference (cut-off is April 4, 2024).

What attendees say about the SWCC annual conference!

"My second week into my Masters of Science Communication program I was lucky enough to attend the 2017 SWCC Conference. It was a great experience to get a broad view of science writing and communicating in Canada as well as having a chance to listen to and meet some amazing presenters. When thinking about future career opportunities the SWCC Conference really got my wheels turning about where I can go and the different kinds of things I can do. Highly recommended!"

"The annual conference is a great place to meet your peers, strike up friendships, and to maintain relationships over the years -- important in such a lonely profession. As a writer, I've found stories and more than paid for the cost of a trip. As an editor, I've had the chance to get to know writers who have ended up freelancing for me, or have been offered jobs working with me."

"I look forward to this conference every year and there's nothing like it. SWCC keeps a community connected across Canada and these few days energize us for the rest of the year. The people you meet and the insights you gain are so important for all science writers and communicators' work."

"The SWCC conference 2017 offered me a perfect way to not only learn some good 'best practice' tips in science communications but more importantly offered me an opportunity to meet, network and benefit from learning from an incredibly friendly, smart and experienced group of science communicators. I have already recommended the conference to a number of my colleagues back in the UK."

"The SWCC conference is a chance to get out of your science silo and pick up new approaches to communicate science, learn about other exciting scientific fields and share ideas with your science writer colleagues from across Canada."

Previous Conferences

2023 - Ottawa, ON

2022 - No conference

2021 - Virtual Conference

2020 - Virtual Conference

2019 - Winnipeg, MB

2018 - Vancouver, BC

2017 - Ottawa, ON

2016 - Guelph, ON

2015 - Saskatoon, SK

2014 - Toronto, ON

2013 - Montreal, QB

2012 - Windsor, ON