The Popsicule: ANU Science in Pop Culture and Entertainment Hub
Recipient, Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Programs that Enhance Learning
The Popsicule, ANU Science in Pop Culture and Entertainment Hub, explores the cultural meanings of science with the aim to better understand how pop cultural narratives about science have affected the public discourse and understanding of science, and thus our science-society relationship.
The Popsicule is a university-based hub – a dynamic laboratory and community-driven platform – where students are invited to broaden their horizons, explore their creative potential and develop their own professional portfolios through interdisciplinary engagement in innovative courses, collaborative publication projects and creative public conversations with diverse audiences.
Together with PhD candidates, Honours students, MA, BA and PhB students, Research Project students, student interns and ANU alumni, Popsiculists create and promote research-based public events and inclusive experiential community-focused, research-driven knowledge adventures. They run engaging seminars and public workshop all fostering collaborations across students, scientists, artists and other co-conspirators in Canberra and beyond.
They develop and share rigorous learnings and resources about the (pop) cultural work and aesthetic achievements of science through international research publications, in-person and virtual experiences. In sum, the Popsicule develops opportunities for co-learning, co-leadership and co-creation across research-led teaching, research and engagement activities.
Pop culture is rocket fuel for science communication, and the Popsicule is where ignition meets imagination and creative engagement.
