Communication

SCIENCE AND NATURE COMMUNICATION

I believe that part of our mission as scientists is to share our knowledge and to make science and nature accessible to everyone.

After my PhD, I decided to explore my science communication skills outside of academia, working simultaneously for about two years (2018 to 2020) with two different companies in Portugal.

I worked as a nature guide in the breathtaking Peneda-Gerês National Park, spending my day engaging with visitors, driving off-road in Defenders, kayaking, hiking in the mountains, and swimming in waterfalls. I was fortunate to work for Oporto Adventure Tours, a company dedicated to promoting responsible tourism, cultural traditions, and nature conservation.

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I also worked as a science instructor at the Fábrica Centro Ciência Viva (University of Aveiro), where I engaged people of all ages - particularly school groups - in science-based activities. These activities ranged from guiding groups through a live spider exhibition to teaching the science behind cooking (and creating food with visitors), and even building and programming robots. I have learned that if you can explain complex scientific concepts to five-year-olds, you can explain them to anyone.

Both of these positions were incredibly rewarding, and I learned a great deal about science communication, teaching across all age groups, managing people, and problem-solving. I acquired valuable skills that continue to inform my work in my postdoctoral research.