Dr Graham Walker
Content navigation
About
Dr Graham Walker is a science communication teacher, researcher and practitioner based at the National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science (CPAS) at the Australian National University, where he convenes Postgraduate Coursework. He works at the interface of science communication and informal STEM learning, capacity building and co-development, emotion and motivation, and communication of social and environmental issues, particularly in informal learning contexts like science centres, science shows and hands-on workshops. Graham has been involved in science communication capacity building throughout the Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East since 2003. He founded Science Circus Africa which, through dynamic partnerships with African organisations, has trained more than 500 staff and reached 73,000 people in 10 African countries, and more recently the DFAT-supported Science Circus Pacific. He is an avid aficionado of science shows and has performed shows and delivered training globally.
Affiliations
Research interests
- Science centres and informal science learning methods, e.g. science shows, hands-on workshops, interactive exhibits, making and tinkering, etc.
- Application of informal science learning methods to socioscientific issues such as climate, environment and health.
- Emotion and motivation in science communication and informal science learning
- Science communication capacity building, training, international development and cross-cultural codesign - especially in Africa, the Pacific and Asia.
Research projects
Science Circus International Capacity Building
https://cpas.anu.edu.au/research/research-projects/science-circus-international-capacity-building
Projects
- Science Circus international capacity building, Principal investigator
- Science Circus Pacific, Principal investigator
- Science shows and theatre, Principal investigator
- Culturally-appropriate science communication in the South Pacific, Supervisor
- Scientists Taking Astronomy to Regional Schools – Impact and Outcomes, Supervisor
- Zoo design: connecting zoo visitors with conservation messages, Supervisor
- Mapping citizen science in Australia, Researcher
Location
Peter Baume Building #42A
Publications
- Duan, RJ, Walker, GJ & Orthia, LA 2021, 'Interest, emotions, relevance: viewing science centre interactive exhibit design through the lens of situational interest', International Journal of Science Education. Part B: Communication and Public Engagement, 11(3): 191-209.
- Orthia LA, McKinnon M, Viana JN & Walker GJ 2021, 'Reorienting science communication towards communities', Journal of Science Communication, 20(3): A12. DOI: 10.22323/2.20030212
- Walker, G, Bantsi, L, Bukhosini, S et al. 2020, 'Models to build capacity for African science centres and science communication: needs and assets', Journal of Science Communication, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 1-23.
- Walker, G 2014, 'Science Communicators as Commercial and Social Entrepreneurs', in Leo Tan Wee Hin and R. Subramaniam (ed.), Communicating Science to the Public: Opportunities and Challenges for the Asia-Pacific Region, Springer Netherlands, New York London, pp. 105-118.
- Walker, G, Stocklmayer, S & Grant, W 2013, 'Science Theatre: Changing South African Students' Intended Behaviour Towards HIV AIDS', International Journal of Science Education. Part B: Communication and Public Engagement, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 101-120.
- Walker, G 2013, Motivational features of science shows.
- Walker, G 2010, 'Science Theatre: A Novel Tool for HIV Interventions in South Africa', International Conference on Public Communication of Science and Technology 2010, Science Communication Without Frontiers, Unknown.