Hội nghị ASPAC 2024
Bảo tàng Khoa học Quốc gia
Gwacheon, Hàn Quốc
Key Dates
June 25: Early Bird Registration Deadline
July 10: Abstract Submission Deadline
July 15: Notification of Awarded 2024 ASPAC Fellowships
July 26: Notification of Abstract Submission
August 15: Online Regular Registration Deadline
September 3: EXCO meeting/ CEO Forum and Pre-conference workshops on
1) Community engagement and place-making
2) Maker workshop
3) Sci-Pop Program
September 4-6: ASPAC 2024 Conference
September 7: Excursions
*Gwacheon National Science Museum is most accessible via direct train from Seoul (about 40 minutes). Recommended hotels in Seoul will be available when the ASPAC Conference 2024 homepage goes live on April 30.
Conference Fees
Registration fees
$ 260 (Early Bird registration for ASPAC members)
$ 300 (Regular registration for ASPAC members)
$ 360 (Early Bird registration for non-ASPAC members)
$ 400 (Regular registration for non-ASPAC members)
Marketplace fees
$600 (ASPAC Members - for booth)
TBD for non-ASPAC Members
Conference Theme
The theme for ASPAC 2024 is “LINK: Communicate with Empathy! [Empathy in Literacy, Inclusion, Networking and K-Science Culture]". Three sub-themes: “L” in (Science) Literacy, “I” in (Social) Inclusion, and “N” and “K” in Networking and K-Science Culture (LINK) will guide the three days. The write-up is below so you can start thinking about the presentations you want to propose in the parallel sessions.
LINK: Communicate with Empathy! [Empathy in Literacy, Inclusion, Networking and K-Science Culture]
The theme of ASPAC 2024 is “LINK: Communicate with Empathy! [Empathy in Literacy, Inclusion, Networking and K-Science Culture]". Three sub-themes: “L” in (Science) Literacy, “I” in (Social) Inclusion, and “N” and “K” in Network & K-Science Culture (LINK) will guide the three days.
ASPAC 2024 will highlight on the role of science museums/centers as science communicator or mediator, connecting individuals, communities or societies with science & technology. The public is composed of diverse personal, social or environmental backgrounds, with widely varying degrees in scientific knowledge, understanding or perspectives. Empathy is the ability to recognize others’ backgrounds, emotions, thinking, perspective etc. Empathy in science communication is a crucial skill to engage the public to understand science topics, interpret science issues without fear or misconception, evaluate them, and make informed valuable decisions. In sum, how can we communicate science with empathy?
This conference will be a chance for participants to explore how empathetic science engagement can affect “LINK” - the three subthemes - science literacy, social inclusion, and networking & K-Science Culture through exhibitions, educations, activities etc.
September 4 , Day 1: The public and Science Literacy
How communicating with empathy is related to science literacy
Science literacy is the ability to interpret scientific facts or issues, analyze and evaluate them, and then make decisions based on scientific evidence. In a rapidly changing society dependent on technology, science literacy is essential for better life and future.
Communicating with empathy is related to science literacy in that it allows for access and a deeper understanding of scientific concepts or issues. The use of appropriate empathetic languages, expressions or behaviors, and storytelling, help the public to understand or interpret science more easily, stimulate questions or discussions, and facilitate making informed valued decisions. Examples of empathetic skill in science communications(or for improving science literacy) as follows; ① understanding people’s backgrounds or environmental conditions, recognizing or respecting their emotion or concerns, respect their feelings and concerns, ② providing scientific fact or information focusing on daily lives, interests, or concerns with the usage of empathetic languages, inclusive, respective, or empathetic, not technical terms or appropriate stories and examples, ③ listening to their perspectives and experiences, responding with empathy, and inspiring curiosity and questions ④ encouraging engagement with meaningful connection etc.
Presenters will share their experiences or attempts of exhibitions, educations, or activities with empathetic communication skills, which have influenced the enhancement of science literacy, related to but NOT LIMITED to the following scientific issues; ① climate crisis and biodiversity, ② artificial intelligence (AI) and humanity, ③ earth Resources and eco-friendly Technology, ④ space exploration and aviation, ⑤ life science (biotechnology), ⑥ another pandemic.
September 5, Day 2: Social Inclusion
How communicating with empathy is related to social inclusion
Social inclusion in science communication aims for the public to have equal opportunities to understand science, enjoy its benefits, and take participate in science activities, regardless of backgrounds or conditions such as age, disabilities, races, social or economic positions etc.
Empathetic communications could play a crucial role in promoting to understand, respect, advocate for or foster connections between/among individuals and/or communities, including within our own teams, create more inclusive and equitable environments in science popularization. Then, everyone will feel valued, respected, and empowered to better life. Some strategies for empathetic communication in enhancing social inclusion are as follows; ① listening to experiences, feelings or perspectives and presenting inclusive interactions with respect and kindness ② building equal access to science exhibitions, educations or activities, with consideration of specific abilities or backgrounds ③ challenging discrimination and prejudice with the usage of empathetic languages, expressions, behavior or stories ④ stressing on meaningful connections and relationships between/among individuals and/or communities and providing equal services.
Presenters will share their experiences with exhibitions, educations, or activities or other programs and projects with an empathetic approach which spoke of social inclusion. Six sessions are prepared as follows; ① science programs for generations / ② science programs for disabled people / ③ science programs for multicultural people / ④ science programs for science gifted children / ⑤ outreach programs / ⑥ metaverse-based programs
September 6, Day 3 - 01: Networking
How communicating with empathy is related to how we work within our organizations and with networks
Empathetic Communication strengthens connections or relationship between and among individuals, within our teams, with communities, science museums, and/or governments, donors and other partners. Networking plays a significant role in facilitating connections, promoting understanding, and encouraging collaboration between/among individuals, communities, and/or societies. The examples of empathetic communication for effective networks are as follows; ① Listening to diverse opinions, ② sharing goals and values, experiences and ideas with empathetic languages, attitudes, or behaviors, ③ encouraging collaboration and cooperation, ④ providing support and resources, and ⑤ acquiring positive outcomes for all etc.
Presenters will share their experiences or attempts of Sci-Art programs and how effective empathetic communication has been effective to strengthen networking between/among individuals, communities, museums as well as the collaboration of science and art, including within the museum team.
September 6, Day 3 - 02: Special Session, K-Science Culture
This session will be a place to discuss about presence and future of K-Science Culture, driven by the collaborations of science and art and innovation in science and technology: Talk-show, performance, and exhibition etc. Talk show focuses on K-Digital, changing daily life and future of AI.