The 2026 Science Writers and Communicators of Canada Conference will take place June 15 - 16 in Montréal, Québec.Theme: Discovery. Dialogue. Decision.Location: Plaza Centre-Ville June 14, 2026: Opening Reception June 15, 2026: Full-day Conference Sessions June 16, 2026: Full-day Conference Sessions featuring the final competition of the SSHRC Storytellers Challenge
Are you interested in presenting at the 2026 SWCC conference in Montréal? If so, we invite you to submit your presentation idea today. The call for abstracts is open until January 20, 2026. Is your organization interested in supporting the Canadian science journalism and communication community? Our conference is made possible thanks to our sponsors and partners. If you have questions about the conference, email conference@sciencewriters.ca.
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. Discovery – Frontiers of Science and Innovation. Exploring how scientific and technological advances are reshaping our world.Example topics include:
Dialogue – Communicating Complexity and Building Understanding. Examining how we translate, interpret, and communicate complex or polarizing science for public audiences.Example topics include:
Decision – Science, Policy, and Public Engagement. How communication influences the decisions that shape our collective future.Example topics include:
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