2026 Conference

THEME

Discovery. Dialogue. Decision.

The 2026 Science Writers and Communicators of Canada Conference will take place June 15–16 in Montréal, Québec, at Plaza Centre-Ville.

Registration

Registration closes June 3, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET. Not a member? Save money by becoming a member before registering.

MEMBERS*

$525

MEMBERS*

$525

MEMBERS*

$525

*For 2026 we are extending our SWCC member rate to members of the Association des communicateurs scientifiques du Québec.

**The discounted rate is available via an honour system to students, freelancers, and representatives of Indigenous organizations, to improve financial accessibility. If the standard rate is within your budget, we kindly invite you to register at full cost to support the success of SWCC 2026.

Missed the deadline? Email office@sciencewriters.ca and we’ll try to help with late registration.

The Inclusion Fund

Science communication is stronger when more voices are at the table. The SWCC 2026 Inclusion Fund exists to make that possible.

Made possible through the generosity of our conference sponsors, the Inclusion Fund helps reduce financial barriers for participants who might not otherwise be able to attend SWCC 2026 in Montréal. We are grateful to the sponsors whose contributions make this fund a reality and who share our commitment to a conference that reflects the full breadth of Canada’s science communication community.

Applying does not guarantee funding. All information shared will be treated in confidence.

Applications to the Inclusion Fund for SWCC 2026 are now CLOSED.

THEME

Discovery. Dialogue. Decision.

NAVIGATING COMPLEXITY TO MAKE SENSE OF SCIENCE.

From quantum computing to the technologies driving decarbonization and climate adaptation, from mRNA therapies to artificial intelligence, the pace of innovation is staggering, and the implications touch every aspect of our lives. In an age when scientific progress often outpaces public understanding, the work of science journalists, communicators, educators, and policy makers has never mattered more. Yet in the current landscape of political polarization, public mistrust, and the decline of traditional science media, this work comes with significant challenges.

SWCC 2026 Montréal explores how science journalists and communicators bridge this growing gulf: turning technical language into meaning, uncertainty into dialogue, and understanding into informed decision-making — and in particular, how our success depends on new frameworks, inclusive practices, and creative means of connection. Together, we will consider how to keep human judgment, reconciliation, and ethics at the heart of progress, and ensure that scientific knowledge remains understandable, transparent, and inclusive.

Through impactful presentations, engaging workshops, practical skill sessions, and meaningful conversations, the conference will explore how science communication helps society keep pace with progress, providing ideas and tools to ensure that discovery continues to serve people, communities, and our shared future.