Back to Basics
It’s been more than two years since we met in person… How many cultural norms have we forgotten? How many skills have become dusty and rusty? SWCC 2023 is about getting on a plane or train again, catching up with old friends, and remembering what it's like to be a part of events in person. The 2023 SWCC Conference will cover all your basics: journalism, communications, science, socializing, fun, and more! Join us in Ottawa!The 2023 SWCC Annual Conference will take place on 5-6 June, 2023 at Canada's National Science and Technology Museum. The regular conference will be followed by optional tours of cool local science around the National Capital Region. Stay tuned for more details on the programme! Do you want to be a presenter at SWCC 2023?Our call for abstracts is now closed. The conference committee are hard at work reviewing your submissions. All applicants will be notified by the conference committee by 18 March, 2023. Calling all students: submit a poster in our competition
Are you a student with an interest in science writing or communication? The SWCC 2023 Student Poster Competition is designed with you in mind! Submit an abstract by Friday, March 24 at 11:59pm EDT for an opportunity to share your work, practice your science communication skills, receive expert feedback, and—potentially—win a cash prize! Please note: Students are not required to register for the entire conference to participate in the poster competition and can be present for that portion of the conference with no extra costs to them. Taking place at the SWCC Annual Conference, the poster competition is open to all graduate and undergraduate students. Students are invited to submit an abstract describing your work in any of the following categories:
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"The conference was my first exposure to SWCC. What a breath of fresh air. As a mid-to-later stage professional, I don't often get the opportunity to interact with other communicators and writers. I came back with information and contacts that are beneficial for me and my organization. I feel reinvigorated in my practice. Follow up and responsiveness on the part of the organizers after-the-fact has also been excellent." |
"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!" | ![]() |
"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." |
"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." |
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