Tête-à-tête: Conversations about science engagement around the world
Around the globe, people dedicate their lives to the fascinating, weird, and powerful world of science. Falling Walls Engage works to deepen the impact of these individuals through meaningful conversations and actions. In that spirit, Falling Walls Engage Hub Canada is thrilled to present a new virtual series where you will hear directly from leading “science engagers” from every corner of the planet.
The first Tête-à-tête exchange will feature Kari Mugo, Hub Manager of Falling Walls Engage Hub Kenya and Public Engagement Lead at Mawazo Institute, a non-profit research institute in Nairobi that supports the next generation of female scholars and thought leaders in Africa through research funding and professional training. With Kari, will be Silvia Mwendia, Public Engagement and Policy Programme Associate at Mawazo. Brett Hooton, Manager of Falling Walls Engage Hub Canada, will moderate.
Please join us for a discussion about what it means to be a science engagement practitioner in East Africa today—and what engagers from around the world can learn from their work. The guests will briefly present on the current trends in the field from their country and region as well as recent Mawazo and Falling Walls projects. Kari and Silvia will then answer your questions.
Attending this virtual conversation is free, but registration is required. A Zoom link will be sent to registrants on the day before the event.
If you can’t take part this time, don’t worry, the recording will be available on the Engage Hub Canada website shortly after the event. Plus, there will be more Tête-à-têtes in the coming months. Stay tuned!
About the speakers
Kari Mugo is a media practitioner and creative writer from Nairobi, Kenya. She is also the Hub Manager of Falling Walls Engage Hub Kenya and the Public Engagement Lead at Mawazo Institute, a non-profit research institute in Nairobi that supports the next generation of female scholars and thought leaders in Africa through research funding and professional training. In her role at the Mawazo Institute, Kari creates platforms for policymakers and the general public to engage with the work of African experts and researchers, so they can contribute to public discourse and facilitate open discussions on the challenges and opportunities facing the African continent. She also supports the development of training materials, targeted at African researchers that introduce them to science engagement and science communication tools and practices.
Silvia Mwendia is a young professional with over five years of experience in the fields of international development, communications, and research. As the Public Engagement and Policy Programme Associate at Mawazo Institute, her work involves supporting research programs in order to develop and implement a public engagement and research policy uptake strategy. Her prior experience involves working in entrepreneurship start-ups, media organizations, and international organizations, including within the United Nations system. Silvia is passionate about creating visibility for African women working on solving the continent’s development issues.
About Tête-à-tête
The Tête-à-tête conversation series is a new initiative from and proudly hosted by Falling Walls Engage Hub Canada. Over the course of the coming year, Managers of Falling Walls Engage Hubs and their colleagues will sit down with Canadian colleagues for virtual discussions about what it means to be a science engager today. Together, they will explore current trends in the field from their countries and regions as well as challenges, new projects, and opportunities for international collaboration.
