Science Writers and Communicators of Canada upcoming events

The Shifting Landscape of Science Communication Ethics (02 Jun 2026)

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 17:00:00 GMT

A virtual event presented by the Science Writers and Communicators of Canada (SWCC) and the National Association of Science Writers (NASW)

Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026

Start time: 1 p.m. Eastern / 10 a.m. Pacific

SWCC members: Register for free. The link will be sent to all members via email.

Non-members: Register for $15

We are excited to collaborate with our colleagues in America for a joint virtual event, coming Tuesday, June 2.

Science writers and editors are facing a rapidly shifting professional landscape, shaped by political pressures, evolving industry norms, and the growing influence of artificial intelligence. In this one-hour webinar, panelists representing freelance writing, academia, and journalism will discuss how science communicators can approach their work ethically in a time of change. Topics will include maintaining clear boundaries and editorial independence; using case studies and ethical frameworks to think through questions of accuracy, transparency, and professional responsibility; and developing individualized conflict-of-interest statements. The goal is to help science writing professionals make thoughtful, responsible choices in their day-to-day work.

Registration is free and open to all SWCC and NASW members; a $15 fee is required for non-members. A recording will be available to members.

Moderating for Impact (14 Jun 2026)

Sun, 14 Jun 2026 12:30:00 GMT

In-Person Workshop

With Lesley Evans Ogden and Niki Wilson

Science writers and communicators are often asked to drive discussions by moderating or sitting on panels in a variety of professional and public venues. How they perform these roles has a big impact on how audiences contextualize important issues and these are roles of increasing importance given the current geopolitical climate. Additionally, acting in these roles can be an important source of income and professional experience. Despite this, there is little training for journalists and science communicators on how to maximize the impacts of these experiences for audiences and moderators. Consequently, panel events often fall into predictable patterns: a mic passed up and down a role of panelists, a lack of on-stage chemistry, awkward and sometimes uncomfortable inequity of air time, and a missed opportunity for everyone.

But it doesn’t have to be this way! Dynamic, inclusive, entertaining experiences can help tell meaningful, memorable stories. Effective hosting is a performance that requires artful preparation, creativity and engagement, augmenting and managing a well-chosen format and structure. In addition to teaching basic moderation and facilitation skills, this workshop will help science communications and media professionals hone their hosting skills by tackling pre-event preparation, dynamic event formats, stage-presence, on-stage and virtual interviewing, participant management and audience engagement. Participants will by guided through improvisational techniques to create and experiment with a variety of panel and other moderated formats in a safe, innovation-friendly environment. We’ll develop a vocabulary for managing on stage conversations and use role playing scenarios to try out different styles and techniques in a low-stakes collaborative and supportive environment.

Date: Sunday, June 14, 2026 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Location: To be determined

Ticket Price: $135

Please note that we are still working to confirm lunch options. A separate email will be sent to registered participants with meal choices. Lunch will be optional and have an additional cost.

Hosted by: Niki Wilson and Lesley Evans Ogden

Lesley Evans Ogden and Niki Wilson were thrilled to develop and co-lead this moderating workshop launched at the World Conference of Science Journalists in Pretoria, South Africa, in December 2025, where it earned rave reviews.

Niki Wilson

Niki Wilson is a multimedia science journalist with a past life as a biologist. She grew up dodging bears in Jasper National Park, Canada, and has studied everything from mammoths to mountain pine beetle. She now writes about health, nature and the environment for publications like BBC Earth, PBSNature, Nature, and Canadian Geographic. Niki was associate producer for the Audible top five podcast Wild Sounds of Canada, and co-host of the Apple top ten science podcast Anthropomania with Jay Ingram. She is thrilled this year to celebrate 12 orbits around the sun as a science advisor and host for the Jasper Dark Sky Festival, where she appears on stage with astronauts, science celebrities and talented researchers. Niki has taught science communications since 2010 with the Banff Science Communications School, now Global Partners in Science Communications. Niki also teaches independently, hosting workshops on journalism, science communication and nature writing to a cross-section of organizations, universities and public.

Find Niki at: LinkedIn, BlueSky

Lesley Evans Ogden

Lesley Evans Ogden crossed a career bridge from nerdy bird scientist to multimedia freelance journalist after a PhD (Simon Fraser University) and postdoctoral research (UBC) in wildlife ecology. She now writes internationally for outlets including New York Times, BBC, Knowable, Nature, National Geographic, and Natural History, also contributing to science documentaries for broadcasters like CBC’s The Nature of Things and ARTE. Lesley loves teaching and mentoring as a guest expert leading workshops on pitching, publishing and science writing across Canada and the US. When not writing, producing, teaching or speaking, she can often be found in her happy place – running, biking, swimming or hiking in nature -- or during gloomy Vancouver winters, studying improv comedy. Combining her award-winning writing with her love of teaching and the outdoors, Lesley is launching Nature Writing in the Great Bear Rainforest, an immersive small group workshop at Great Bear Lodge in British Columbia in May 2027 (registration now open).

Follow on LinkedIn, BlueSky, X, and Instagram

SWCC Annual Conference 2026 (14 Jun 2026)

Sun, 14 Jun 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Version française de la page web de la conférence / Formulaire d'inscription en français / Code de conduite en français

SWCC Annual Conference 2026

Theme: Discovery. Dialogue. Decision.

Location: Plaza Centre-Ville in Montréal, Québec

June 14, 2026: Opening Reception, Optional Workshop

June 15, 2026: Full-day Conference Sessions

June 16, 2026: Full-day Conference Sessions featuring the final competition of the SSHRC Storytellers Challenge

June 17, 2026: Optional Tours

Conference Programme

(Not a member? Save money by becoming a member before registering!)

Early Bird Registration (Ending May 1, 2026):

Member*: $425

Non-member: $620

Discounted rate**: $250

Full Registration (Starting May 2, 2026 - Closing June 3, 2026 at 11:59 pm ET):

Member*: $525

Non-member: $720

Discounted Rate**: $300

*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. We provide this option to improve the financial accessibility of our conference. However, if the standard rate is within your budget, we kindly invite you to register at the full registration cost to support the success of SWCC 2026.

Registration closes June 3, 2026 at 11:59 pm ET. If you happen to miss the deadline and still want to attend, email office@sciencewriters.ca and we can try to help you with your late registration.

All rates include the opening reception on June 14 and two full conference days on June 15 and 16. Breakfasts, lunches, and snacks are provided as part of the conference fee.

Pre and post conference events are not included in the conference ticket price. If you would like to attend these events, you can add them as they become available on our website.

Where to Stay

Conference accommodations will be the Marriott Chateau Champlain. We have negotiated a room block at a discounted rate but availability is limited so please book as soon as possible.

Unfortunately this rate is now closed as of April 13, 2026.

Theme: Discovery. Dialogue. Decision.

Navigating complexity to make sense of science.

Discovery – Frontiers of Science and Innovation. Exploring how scientific and technological advances are reshaping our world.

Dialogue – Communicating Complexity and Building Understanding. Examining how we translate, interpret, and communicate complex or polarizing science for public audiences.

Decision – Science, Policy, and Public Engagement. How communication influences the decisions that shape our collective future.

Read more on the 2026 theme and other conference details here.

SWCC Gratefully Acknowledges the Support of Our Sponsors

Exhibitor Level

Supporter Level

Inclusion Fund

Is your organization interested in supporting the Canadian science journalism and communication community? Our conference is made possible thanks to our sponsors and partners.

View Our Sponsorship Package

Montréal Science Tour (17 Jun 2026)

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Montréal Science Tour

Wednesday, June 17 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Discover a taste of the exciting science happening in the Montréal area with a day of post-conference tours! Includes a day of tours at: Canadian Space Agency, McGill Faculty of Science Labs, and The Neuro.

We can have a maximum of 20 people, so sign up quickly before the spots fill up!

Ticket Price: $75 (This ticket includes transportation. Lunch is not included).

Ticket sales close June 3rd at 12:00 pm ET.

Location: Montréal - The bus will pick up attendees in the morning at the Marriott Chateau Champlain.

The Canadian Space Agency

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA)’s headquarters - the John H. Chapman Space Centre – is located in Longueuil, QC. Through this visit, you will discover the fascinating history of the Canadian space program, including the CSA’s key role in Earth observation and protection, developing cutting-edge technologies, and space exploration.

Please note: Photo ID will be required at entry. If you're not a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident, please bring your passport.

Website: https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/

The Faculty of Science at McGill University

The Faculty of Science at McGill University aims to be a leader in finding solutions critical to economic and human development, including key questions in the environmental sciences, new materials, and new technologies. This tour will include The McGill Radio Lab with Dr. Cynthia Chiang and the McGill Neutrino Group with Dr. Thomas Brunner.

Website: https://www.mcgill.ca/science/

The Neuro

The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital) is a unique academic medical centre dedicated to accelerating the discovery of new treatments and cures through Open Science to help patients with neurological disorders.

Website: https://www.mcgill.ca/neuro/