Dr Graham Walker
Areas of expertise
- Specialist Studies In Education Not Elsewhere Classified 130399
- Educational Psychology 170103
- Drama, Theatre And Performance Studies 190404
Research interests
- Science communication capacity building, training, international development and cross-cultural codesign
- Science shows, hands-on workshops, making and tinkering, and other informal science learning methods
- Emotion and motivation in science communication and informal science learning
- The potential of science shows and hands-on workshops to tackle socioscientific issues
Biography
Graham convenes the Masters of Science Communication Outreach program. His research, teaching and engagement focusses on science communication and informal science learning. His current research and engagement investigates international capacity building and co-design in science communication. To this end, Graham founded the Science Circus Africa project which has trained 499 staff and reached 73,000 people in 10 African countries. He is currently widening his focus to the Asia-Pacific, primarily through the DFAT supported Science Circus Pacific project. Graham also researches emotional and motivational aspects of science communication, particularly in settings like science centres, science shows and hands-on workshops, and using these methods to engage with social and environmental issues, along with teaching in these areas. 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:
- science centres in the Asia-Pacific region ($8000 p.a. top-up scholarship available for students who are successful in winning an AGRTP base scholarship)
- science engagement, capacity building and codesign in the Pacific, particularly related to climate change
- science engagement and capacity building, especially for science centres and outreach programs in developing countries
- equity and inclusion in science centres
- Shell Questacon Science Circus
Current student projects
Ms Emily Standen, PhD project - Codesigning Culturally/Contextually Relevant Teacher Professional Learning Workshops in the Pacific
Ms Ruoyu Duan, Masters project - Children’s interest and design characteristics of interactive science exhibits
Ms Rhedyn Ollerenshaw - Zoo design: connecting zoo visitors with conservation messages
Publications
- 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.
- Science Circus Pacific 2018 (Primary Investigator)
- Science Centre Impact Research Project (Primary Investigator)
