image: The PCST Symposium 2025 Tokyo, Japan, will be held on November 11 to 13 at the Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI), Institute of Science Tokyo.
Credit: JSF
The Japan SciCom Forum (JSF) will host its 7th annual conference as a special joint event, the PCST Symposium Japan 2025, from November 11 to 13 at the Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI), Institute of Science Tokyo.
Organised in collaboration with the Public Communication of Science and Technology (PCST) Network—the world’s largest science communication network—this symposium marks the first time a PCST event will be held in Japan. Themed “Strategic Development of Science Communication and Public Engagement in Asia,” the symposium will highlight innovative practices and global solutions for engaging diverse publics in non-Western contexts, aiming to foster a sustainable science communication ecosystem in the region.
Building on the momentum of six successful JSF conferences since 2018, the 2025 symposium will bring together researchers, practitioners, educators, and institutional leaders from around the world to exchange ideas, form collaborations, and inspire new directions in science communication.
This year’s programme will centre on two key themes:
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Education and Training – Exploring models to formalise and professionalise science communication education and training across Asia.
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Science and Society – Bridging the gap between research and practice to strengthen public engagement and communication impact.
A unique feature of the symposium will be its Working Groups, each led by prominent science communicators. These groups will engage participants in meaningful dialogue and co-creation, with the outcomes consolidated into white papers to guide strategic development in the region.
“As a ‘working-symposium’, it’s exciting to have every participant play an active role in shaping the future of science communication in Asia. Through hands-on working groups, we’re creating space for real dialogue, co-creation, and shared ownership of the strategies that will emerge from this event,” said Thilina Heenatigala, Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI), co-chair of the symposium.
Ayumi Koso, National Institute of Genetics (NIG), co-chair of the symposium added, “hosting this international symposium in Japan offers a unique opportunity to bring together science communicators from around the world—global, regional, and local—to collaboratively focus on the specific strategies we need in Asia. It’s about building connections, learning from each other, and charting a path forward that is inclusive and rooted in our context.”
"One of the core missions of PCST is to support the growth of science communication not only globally, but also regionally and locally. By collaborating on this symposium in Japan, we’re helping to strengthen science communication ecosystems in Asia and ensure that local voices and practices are part of the global conversation," said Anne Dijkstra, University of Twente, advisory committee member of the symposium.
Registration and abstract submissions are now open. Registration fee (5,000JPY) waiver grants are available for those who need support (until June 30).
For registration and more information, visit the official symposium website: https://www.japansci.com/conference/jsf25
Contacts:
Thilina Heenatigala
Assistant Professor,
Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI)
E-mail: info@japansci.com
Tel: +81-3-5734-3163
Dani Ellenby
Science Communicator, Public Relations Initiative
Kyushu University
E-mail: sysintlkh@jimu.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Tel: +81-92-802-2138
Motoko Kakubayashi
Press officer
Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU, WPI)
The University of Tokyo
E-mail: motoko.kakubayashi@ipmu.jp
Tel: +81-80-4052-2767 (work mobile)