Abstract. We present a study aimed at evaluating how experiment-driven communication, in particular in the field of volcanology, seismology and tsunami sciences, is effective in conveying quantitative concepts and increasing the understanding of natural phenomena. We conducted two dissemination initiatives dedicated to creating the general public's awareness and appreciation of geoscience, each targeting a different type of audience. The first initiative was a lesson delivered to high-school students with a humanistic background as part of the European Researchers' Night. The second was an interactive experiment/activity carried out in a booth hosted by the Italian Civil Protection Department, focused on best practices for risk mitigation. It was presented during an international event dedicated to fandom culture (Lucca Comics and Games), which was entirely unrelated to geoscience. The core of both initiatives – focused on volcanic conduit dynamics, earthquake localization and magnitude calculation, and volcanic landslide-induced tsunami – consisted of hands-on experiments, corroborated by the determination of parameter values, adding a quantitative dimension to the phenomenological experience. We also delivered questionnaires to all participants aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of the conveyed messages. One questionnaire was delivered to the 62 high-school students during the European Researchers' Night and two questionnaires (pre- and post-experiment) were delivered to 26 participants during Lucca Comics and Games. The results of the survey show that our experiments were well-received and, as a general conclusion, underline that geophysical hands-on experiences can successfully foster the engagement of people, even when providing quantitative evidence. However, it is also important to adapt the dissemination initiative to the target audience, by considering the amount of time available and the background of the attendee. For external instructors who present experiments to high school classes, we once again assessed the importance of the synergy between school teachers and external communicators before and after the events, in order to avoid contradictory messages delivered to students. We finally underline the importance of finding new ways to promote a modern and interactive way to communicate geoscience.

Abstract. A gender difference exists in access to resources and decision-making in issues of drought as women are overwhelmingly denied a “voice” (Clarke, 2014). This is particularly prevalent in irrigation and farming communities, which carry on a legacy of patriarchal stewardship over farming and agricultural matters. This exploratory study considers the role of women in farming practice in the Mallee region and how they view their position as decision-makers in drought and water management. This study presents three key findings from interviews of women within the region: women are increasingly adopting the label “farmer” so that they can be “counted” and given decision-making power regarding drought and water. Interviewees also stated a distinct difference in gender relations within horticultural dryland farming compared to irrigation farming. That is, many found that gender dynamics were more progressive and equal within dryland. Some stated that this was due to many irrigation farmers being recent migrants and more likely to have traditional gender roles in their own family unit. The dynamic between white settler farming women and those who had recently settled in the area (first-generation migrants) was wholly unexpected and highlights a potential “us-and-them” distinction in farming. Despite the psychological distance of drought during the time of the interviews (many had recently experienced flooding), there was nevertheless a strong sense of the danger of drought and the foreboding sense that it was coming. Interviewees stated that women were pivotal during times of drought as they were the ones to draw on community networks for help, to apply for grants, and also to supplement family income from off-farm work. This research should be noted for its limitations, particularly regarding the low sample size. As an exploratory study, it cannot be said to be representative and, as such, can only present potential areas for future research.

Abstract. With the onset of climate change, adaptive action must occur at all scales, including locally, placing increasing responsibility on the public. Effective communication strategies are essential, and adaptation games have shown potential in fostering social learning and bridging the knowledge–action gap. However, few research efforts so far give voice to participants that engage with collaborative games in organisational and community settings. This paper presents a novel approach to studying designer–participant interactions in adaptation games, diverging from traditional learning-focused frameworks. Specifically, it examines Minions of Disruptions™ (MoD), a collaborative tabletop board game, through the lens of how participant perception aligns with the game's design intentions as described by the game designers and facilitators. Through focus group interviews with designers and facilitators, 10 core design intentions were identified and compared with responses from post-game surveys of participants from 2019–2022. Key insights reveal that collaboration and team building are highly effective frames for climate adaptation. However, some design elements, such as time pressure, can hinder discussion, suggesting a need to balance objectives. The method adopted manages to avoid traditional expert-to-public analysis structures and places emphasis on the importance of iterative design based on participant insights. This approach provides valuable guidance for future adaptation game designs, demonstrating that games can effectively engage diverse groups and support local adaptation efforts by creating a sense of belonging and collective purpose.

Abstract. Directly linking greenhouse gas emissions or global warming to experiences of local climatic changes is a potentially important communication tool. Using observations, we develop a physically plausible “causal chain” visualisation to demonstrate the connections between global carbon dioxide emissions and local climate events. We highlight how increased flood risk in one river basin in the UK could be discussed with people directly affected by recent floods.

Abstract. Climate scientists and others are urged to communicate climate science in a way that non-scientific audiences can understand, that makes it more relevant to their lives and experiences, and that inspires them to act. To achieve this, climate scientists undertake a range of climate communication activities to engage people with climate change. With the effort and time spent on climate communication activities comes the need to evaluate the outcomes, impact, and effectiveness of such efforts. Here, we aimed to gain insight into the impact and effectiveness of climate communication efforts by scientists by conducting a systematic literature review. However, our most important finding is that there are hardly any studies in which climate communication activities by scientists are evaluated: we found only seven articles over the past 10 years. We analyze these articles for the role of the scientists, the audiences reached, and the reported outcomes and impact of the activities. We end our study with several recommendations that should be considered when setting up studies on evaluating the impact of climate communication activities by scientists.

Abstract. Spatial thinking represents an ongoing challenge in geoscience education, but concrete manipulatives can bridge this gap by illustrating abstract concepts. In an undergraduate optical mineralogy lab session, TotBlocks were used to illustrate how crystal structures influence properties such as cleavage and pleochroism. More abstracted properties, e.g., extinction angles, were increasingly difficult to illustrate using this tool.

Abstract. The first part of this article gives an overview of influential comics and graphic novels on paleontological themes from the last 12 decades. Through different forms of representation and narration, both clichés and the latest findings from paleontological research are presented in comics in an entertaining way for a broad audience. As a result, comics are often chroniclers of 20th century scientific history and contemporary paleoart. The second part of this article deals with the development of the bilingual graphic novel EUROPASAURUS – Life on Jurassic Islands, which communicates knowledge from universities and museums to the public. This non-verbal comic presents the results of a paleontological research project on a Late Jurassic terrestrial biota from northern Germany in both a scientifically accurate and an easily understandable way, based on the way of life of various organisms and their habitats. Insights into the creative process, the perception of the book by the public, and ideas on how to raise public awareness of such a project are discussed.

Abstract. Video games now comprise the largest sector of the media entertainment industry. Hundreds of video games, spanning a huge variety of genres and platforms, use extinct animals and/or palaeontological themes as a basis for their gameplay. Because of this, many players, especially children, spend long periods of time engaging with and being immersed in palaeontological concepts and themes. Video games may be the first medium of implicit or tangential science communication they engage with, especially with regards to palaeontology. However, commercial off-the-shelf video games are not primarily designed to be educational tools, and the proliferation of some common tropes can disseminate harmful and/or unethical (mis)information regarding palaeontology. This paper introduces the major types of palaeontological video games and discusses their educational potential. We highlight the most common palaeontological tropes, both positive and negative, observed in video games to better equip science communicators regarding the perception of palaeontology (and ancient animals) in this massively influential medium that they may encounter when undertaking scientific engagement. Furthermore, by highlighting common misconceptions and harmful tropes, we aim to bring awareness to game developers, who may be unaware that they could be propagating negative tropes about palaeontological science.

Abstract. How weather hazards are communicated by the media is important. Which risks are understood, prioritized and acted upon can be influenced by the level of attention they receive. The presented work investigates whether or not the number of weather hazard news articles has increased since 2017, which weather hazards received the most attention in the news articles, and how often climate change was discussed in relation to weather hazards in these news articles. The methods used are advanced searches of Google and the Emergency Disaster Database (EM-DAT) for media articles considering weather hazards – specifically floods, heat waves, wildfires, storms and droughts – between 2017 and 2022. Results suggest that storms are more likely to be reported than any other climate risk, though wildfires generate more news articles per event. Bias in reporting needs to be addressed and is important, because it can exacerbate un-preparedness.

Abstract. W.A.T.E.R. stands for Workshop on Advanced measurement Techniques and Experimental Research. It is an initiative started in 2016 in association with the Experimental Methods and Instrumentation (EMI) committee of the International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research (IAHR) aimed at advancing the use of experimental techniques in hydraulics and fluid mechanics research. It provides a structured approach for the learning and training workshop series to postgraduate students (aiming specifically at doctoral students), young researchers, and professionals with an experimental background in fluid mechanics. It offers an opportunity to learn about state-of-the-art instrumentation and measurement techniques and the latest developments in the field by partnering with manufacturers. W.A.T.E.R. brings together academics, instrumentation manufacturers and public sectors in a structured setting to share knowledge and to learn from good practices. It is about training people who already have a certain knowledge and skill level but who need to go deeper and/or wider in the field of measurement and experimental research.