June 12: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

The tectonic plates of science and research – the great funders and doers – appear to be shifting. What does this mean for the global community of science journalists and communicators? In the face of a changing landscape, this panel will discuss evolving relations among Canada, Mexico, and the U.S., the role of the World Federation of Science Journalists, and how we keep Elbows Up when required.

Panelist: Tinsley Davis, Executive Director, National Association of Science Writers

Tinsley Davis has led the National Association of Science Writers as executive director since 2008. Tinsley represents NASW’s interest in a variety of collaborative efforts, including the Authors Coalition, where she was Finance Committee chair from 2018-2020, and the Societies Consortium on Sexual Harassment in STEMM. She brokered the development of the first ScienceWriters meeting in 2006. Under her leadership, this annual joint conference with the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing has grown steadily, bringing together 500 to 800 science writers together each year for professional development sessions, science briefings, and field trips. Tinsley leads NASW’s presence in the international community and co-organized the 10th World Conference of Science Journalists in San Francisco, which attracted 1,200 international science journalists and communicators. She was elected as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in 2020. Previously, Tinsley worked at the Gordon Current Science & Technology Center at the Museum of Science in Boston on novel methods to engage adult audiences with science news. A former microbiologist, she holds an M.S. in Bacteriology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Panelist: TBC

Panelist: TBC

Moderator: Rhonda Moore, President, Science Writers and Communicators of Canada

Rhonda Moore is the President of the Science Writers and Communicators of Canada, a part-time lecturer at Carleton University, and the Executive Director, Science and Innovation, at the Institute on Governance (IOG). For 20 years, Rhonda worked at the intersection of research and policy analysis, governance, and science and research communications and stakeholder engagement in the public, private, and non-profit sectors.

At the IOG Rhonda is responsible for leading the science and innovation practice area. The S&I practice area focuses on the governance of science and innovation: how they are created, by whom, how they inform public policy decision making, and how public policy decision making informs the governance of science and innovation. This work is translated into independent research, adult learning opportunities, and applied governance advice.

Rhonda has worked for a variety of public, private, and not-for-profit organizations, including the University of Ottawa, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (now Universities Canada), and the Public Policy Forum. In 2023 Rhonda was seconded to Health Canada to support the Federal Review of Pandemic Science Advice and Research Coordination (aka the Walport Report).

Rhonda has a Bachelor of Public Relations from Mount Saint Vincent University and a Master’s degree in Science, Technology and Innovation studies from the University of Edinburgh, with distinction. In 2024 Rhonda was received the King Charles lll Coronation Medal for contributions to science culture in Canada.