This colloquium, organised by SU's Postgraduate and International Office, starts at 8.30am at the Wallenberg Research Centre at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS).
The researchers, who are all finalists of a science communication programme at the university, have only five minutes each to present their research in an understandable way to the audience. The researchers will also have to answer questions from the floor. Prizes are up for grabs for the best presentation, best article and best photo.
Ronel Steyn, co-ordinator of the Postgraduate Skills Development Programme in the Postgraduate and International Office at SU, said that the New Voices in Science event is an opportunity to celebrate the contribution of science to society and to keep the public informed about the latest scientific research.
"Through the New Voices programme, the university teaches its young scientists to share their research with the public and the media in a responsible way," she said.
"The general public is often not aware of the role of science and how science affects them on a daily basis. Science communication has, therefore, become very important and this is exactly what the New Voices programme does," commented Professor Eugene Cloete, vice-rector: research and innovation of SU.
He added that stakeholders, including the public and funding agencies, get the opportunity to see and hear how science is creating a better world for all of us.
In addition to the individual speeches, a writing and photo competition will also form part of this year's event.
Presentations will be published in the New Voices in Science magazine, which will be available at the Postgraduate and International Office.
For more information about the colloquium, contact Ronel Steyn at az.ca.nus@slenor or +27 (0)21 808 9157.
