Show Notes
“I was always interested in the storytelling element. I was really interested in how people create a place where people can just be themselves and talk.” – Crystal Ngo
Welcome to the final episode of our Winter Shorts series 2026! In this special wrap-up, Camila and Heather chat with UWA Master of Science Communication alumnus Crystal Ngo, whose journey has taken her from nutrition, public health, and being a model to science communication in the disability sector. She reflects on navigating career uncertainty, discovering science communication as a creative home for art and science, and conducting research on the motivations of Australian science podcasters as part of her Masters degree. She shares what she learned about the identity of science podcasters, the persisting deficit-model thinking, and the importance (and absence!) of strategic audience engagement.
Crystal also shares how her current role at Kiind supporting families raising children with disabilities has deepened her passion for community, equity, and inclusion. Joined by Camila and Heather, together they break down what inclusive science communication looks like in practice and explore how individual positionality shapes the way we communicate.
“I just really appreciate community and the strength and power of community, and how that makes such a big difference in people’s lives.” – Crystal Ngo
Episode Links UWA Master of Science Communication Read Crystal’s article (Open Access) here: “It's having conversations that I like with people I like": Exploring the motivations of Australian science podcasters Learn more about Kiind and their podcast, Kiind Conversations Find out what motivates The SciComm Collective Catch our previous episode about how we approach podcasting Listen to our student roundtable discussion about the deficit model Revisit Camila’s reflection about positionality and community Read Dr Ann Grand’s reflection about inclusive science communication Further Reading: Amarasekara & Grant, (2019). Exploring the YouTube science communication gender gap: A sentiment analysis. Marjadi et al., (2023). Twelve Tips for Inclusive Practice in Healthcare Settings.
Episode Credits Episode Hosts: Camila Pardo Uribe, Dr Heather Bray Special Guest: Crystal Ngo Producers: Camila Pardo Uribe, Dr Heather Bray Editing: Ke Yuan Audio Engineering: Matthew Gill Show notes: Ke Yuan Audiogram: Adobe Podcast
More from The SciComm Collective
“You’ve got to get your research to the people who are going to use it… You’ve got to go to where the community is.” – Sarah Brooker
“My favourite thing about nature conservation and science is sharing it with people and connecting with people about it.” – Owen Cumming
“It’s about empowering the kids to feel like they can step in and help in an emergency.” – Suchi Kalia
“A really important part of inclusion is understanding your audience, understanding their needs, but also understanding their assets… What knowledge do they already have? … Science capital is about recognising what people already bring to the table.” – Shanii Phillips
“It’s being able to create experienceswhere young people feel like they belong.” – Lisa Bailey, MOD.