Key Points
- Emma Hamasaki is a member of the That's What I Call Science podcast team, who won this year's Eureka Prize in the STEM Inclusion category.
- Ms Hamasaki says science is often taught in a ‘clinical’ way that is inaccessible.
- She hopes to increase the representation of diverse voices in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Emma Hamasaki has always had a fundamental interest in the environment.
Her passion burgeoned even further during her global travels after high school, igniting a deep concern for climate change.
Upon returning to Tasmania, she said she asked herself, "How can I help people feel more positive about heavy topics such as climate change? What can I do?"
Travelling the world increased Emma's concern for the environment. Credit: That's What I Call Science
"Science in a more traditional way really did not suit my learning style," Ms Hamasaki told SBS Japanese.
"Although I did OK, I felt like there were so many other fun ways to teach science. People really do want to connect with all these things."
Science can really be fun.Emma Hamasaki
Born and raised in Japan, Ms Hamasaki moved to Tasmania when she was 12 years old.
She said her Japanese father and Australian mother, both artists, profoundly influenced how she sees and understands things, including science.
While science is often stereotyped as something heavy and complex, Ms Hamasaki said that barrier can be broken by communicating it creatively, like integrating it with music and art, areas she is passionate about.
That’s the barrier I want to break, I really want science to be available to people.Emma Hamasaki
Her recent work includes a science-artist collaboration that looks at the migration of eels in Tasmania.
"We tried to communicate the stories of eels through music and instrument made of eel skin, as well as storytelling by the scientist."
"It is a new way to dive into communicating science in different ways,” Ms Hamasaki said.
From left: Emma Hamasaki with Malcom Johnson, Yyan Ng and Emily Sheppard at TED x Hobart Credit: TED x Hobart
'Big science from the small island'
Ms Hamasaki is involved with many other projects which revolve around her interest in science communication, including the radio show and podcast.
Run by a group of volunteers in Tasmania since 2019, the podcast reaches over 10,000 people a week with programming designed to increase the representation of diverse voices in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
From bushfires to mental health, Indigenous knowledge to brewing beer, the team aims to shine a light on diverse and topical issues in fun and engaging ways - all under the slogan "big science from the small island".
It is a place where people can have friendly conversations about niche stories which may have been previously limited to universities, laboratories and journals, she said.
The podcast targets a broad audiences and aims to "make science fun and enjoyable".
Podcasts that involve children are always received well, Ms Hamasaki said.
The team facilitated a workshop about birds during the school holidays, helping participants understand about the journey of penguins in Australia by creating a song together.
"The children really enjoyed this," she said.
The 'That's What I Call Science' podcast targets a broad audience, including children. Credit: Emma Hamasaki
"Increasing pathways into STEM, particularly for diverse populations, will help ensure Australia maximises our potential in STEM, which is why we commissioned the Diversity in STEM Review," Minister for Industry and Science, Ed Husic said on 9 August, leading up to National Science Week.
The review was announced last year following the Australian government’s Jobs and Skills Summit, with the final reports planned for later in the year.
"Inspiring young people to see themselves in a STEM career also contributes to achieving the government’s goal of 1.2 million technology-related jobs by 2030," Mr Husic said.
Eureka Prize winner
The That's What I Call Science podcast team took home this year's in the STEM Inclusion category.
This national award honours excellence in research and innovation, leadership, science engagement, and school science.
"Knowledge loses its worth when restrictions are placed upon in, as to who's allowed access. That's What I Call Science want to keep breaking those barriers and let everyone into the STEM conversation," Olly Dove said in an acceptance speech on behalf of the podcasting team.
Anna Abela and Olly Dove from 'That's What I Call Science' accept the Department of Industry, Science and Resources Eureka Prize for STEM Inclusion. Credit: Tim Levy/Australian Museum
"The most important thing is for people to understand and to feel OK and positive about it, and from there, things can happen, change can happen," she said.
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"Breaking the barriers of science": Podcast team making science more accessible
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