Dr Graham Walker
Areas of expertise
- Educational Psychology 170103
- Drama, Theatre And Performance Studies 190404
- Environmental Communication 470103
- International And Development Communication 470104
- Climate Change Impacts And Adaptation 4101
Research interests
- Science communication capacity building, training, international development and cross-cultural codesign - especially in Africa, the Pacific and Asia.
- 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
Biography
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.
Researcher's projects
Science Circus International Capacity Building
https://cpas.anu.edu.au/research/research-projects/science-circus-international-capacity-building
Available student projects
Graham welcomes research proposals related to his areas of interest/expertise. Current prioitiy areas are:
- informal STEM learning, capacity building and codesign re climate change
- science engagement and capacity building, especially for science centres and outreach programs in low- and middle-income countries
- studies of emotion and motivation in science communication and informal learning settings
- science shows, hands-on workshops, tinkering and other informal science learning methods
Current student projects
Ms Emily Standen, PhD project - Codesigning Culturally/Contextually Relevant Teacher Professional Learning Workshops in the Pacific
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.
Projects and Grants
Grants information is drawn from ARIES. To add or update Projects or Grants information please contact your College Research Office.
- Powering into Canberra's Future (Winter Innovation Festival) (Primary Investigator)
- ASPIRE - Science Circus Pacific (Primary Investigator)
- Hands-on Online Science (Primary Investigator)
- ACT Government Emissions Exhibit (Primary Investigator)
- Science Circus Pacific 2018 (Primary Investigator)
- ANU Science Circus Africa: Disability Initiative (Primary Investigator)
- Science Circus India 2017 (Primary Investigator)
- Science Centre Impact Research Project (Primary Investigator)
- Australia - Thailand science centre education network (Secondary Investigator)
- Science circus Africa 2015-Part 1 Pretoria (Primary Investigator)
- Science Circus Africa 2015 Part 2: Harare (Primary Investigator)
- Science Circus Africa - Staffing (Primary Investigator)
