The call for proposals for the 2024-2025 programme of Science and Conservation Events is now open!
Purpose
An essential part of ZSL’s work is facilitating communication and engagement between scientists, conservationists and the public through the Science and Conservation events programme. The programme aims to:
- Create opportunities for mutual learning and collaborative working
- Improve understanding of science and conservation as solutions to global challenges
- Raise ZSL’s profile as a world leading centre of excellence for conservation science
- Build trust in, and generate support for ZSL
- Embed a culture of public engagement with science across ZSL
Ultimately, we want to inform people about wildlife and conservation, and inspire them to care or take action that protects its future. We want to enable our science and conservation professionals to share insights that benefit wildlife, people and the environment.
This programme provides a platform for our researchers to highlight the contribution that ZSL makes to a range of topics through our science and conservation work. Ideally, each event would have at least one ZSL representative presenting a talk. This can be either the person submitting the proposal (the lead organiser) or another member of staff/student.
Format of Events
We will continue with a hybrid programme of online and in-person events, tailoring each to their appropriate format. A variety of event formats will allow us to build on connections with local communities and scientific institutions, and strengthen accessibility for online audiences. The events will generally be held on the second Tuesday of the month between October – May, from 6-7:30pm. They are open to all at no charge.
Online
Online events provide an opportunity to collaborate with researchers or partners globally who might not be able to travel to London. They can be a huge success both through live engagement (average live viewership of 226 people per event) and views of event recordings published on our Science and Conservation YouTube channel (average views of 1.42k per event). Online engagement allows for increased accessibility, with the potential reach to geographically diverse audiences.
In-person
In-person events provide an opportunity for face-to-face engagement and discussion, and create an exciting atmosphere of a live audience. In-person events are held in ZSL’s Meeting Rooms, Regent’s Park, London, and ZSL will cover the costs of travel and accommodation for all invited speakers, but we are unable to cover other subsistence costs (e.g. food and drink). There is also potential for in-person events to be livestreamed and recorded to increase longevity and audience accessibility, however all speakers should be able to present in-person.
Formats could include (but are not limited to):
| Type of event | Format | Target audience |
| 3 or 4 short talks (10-15 minutes) and a panel discussion | Online OR In-person | General public with an interest in science and conservation (science-engaged) and researchers engaged with event topic |
| Facilitated discussion/panel | Online OR In-person | General public with an interest in science and conservation (science-engaged) and researchers engaged with event topic |
| Careers event | Online OR In-person | Students, early-career researchers or career switchers |
| Debate/forum | In-person only | General public with an interest in science and conservation (science-engaged) and policymakers |
| Specialised topic/keynote with networking component | In-person only | Researchers engaged with event topic, potential funders |
What’s required?
All logistical elements of the events are organised by the Science Communications and Events Manager, but input required from the organiser(s) in the lead up to each event involves: finding and contacting speakers, promoting the event within own networks, and, if taking part as a speaker, writing a short biography, abstract and talk. High quality science engagement and communication takes time to ensure that it’s meaningful and impactful, and all support and comprehensive training will be provided as required.
Following the event, you may be asked to participate in an episode of the ZSL Wild Science Podcast to discuss the topic further and reach a wider audience. You will also have the opportunity to write a blog post on the topic.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
We aim to promote equality and diversity in science through inclusive, accessible and equitable programming. We therefore ask the organiser to ensure the opportunity for speaking at their event is open to those from all backgrounds, roles, and levels of seniority. We strive for our panels of speakers to have a diverse representation of gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, national origin, disability, religion, and other characteristics of personal identity, and to amplify the voices and experiences of those from underrepresented backgrounds. Please take this into account when preparing your proposal and identifying potential speakers.
Please email your proposal by 1st July 2024 to Harriet McAra at harriet.mcara@ioz.ac.uk
Proposals will be reviewed by a selection panel, and the final decision will be made in July 2024. If you have any queries or would like to discuss an event prior to submitting, please get in touch.