Science centre Chief Executive exports expertise to China

Having set up and run one of the UK’s leading science centres for the past 16 years, Linda Conlon is heading to China to share her knowledge with the country’s growing science centre industry.   Linda Conlon, MBE, Chief Executive of Newcastle’s International Centre for Life and Chair of the Association of Science and Technology Centres, ASTC, the global body representing science centres and museums, is heading to China to advise the country’s science centre industry on how to establish and maintain audiences through engaging science communication. During her two-week visit, Linda will join a line-up of industry experts who have been invited to address the annual conference of the Asia Pacific Network of Science and Technology Centres, ASPAC 2016. The conference, which will take place at China Science and Technology Museum (CSTM) in Beijing from 17-20 May, will be attended by senior science centre representatives from across the Asia-Pacific region. Linda, whose address to the conference will focus on the theme of “Science Centres for All”, said: “Science Centres across the world are the same - but different. We are united in our quest to make science accessible, relevant and inspiring for people of all ages and backgrounds. But we are different in size and scale, in how we are funded and the challenges and opportunities facing each one of us in our respective communities are quite distinct and unique. In China, the sector is still in its infancy with those running the newly built venues keen to learn about the different ways of engaging people in science. Listening to and learning from each other, therefore, is critical.” She added: “The Chinese government is to be commended for building science centres throughout china and for placing such importance on scientific education and literacy.” Linda will meet with senior science centre mangers from across China to discuss how western science centres have evolved to adapt to changes in an increasingly competitive marketplace. She will also be talking about how to retain visitor numbers, a key element to the success of any visitor centre. As Chair of the ASTC, Linda’s role is to promote excellence and innovation in learning outside of the formal environment of schools and academic institutions, an area in which the Centre for Life has achieved particular success, not least as the home of the UK’s annual Maker Faire – a gathering of people who make and invent and who share their skills and experience with the public. The concept of making and the maker culture is gaining popularity in China, in both the country’s science education and its science centres.  During her time in China, Linda will meet with the head of the Chinese Society of Education and members of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (SCLF) to look at ways they can work together and draw on Life’s experiences to introduce making activities in both formal and informal science education settings across China. She added: “This visit is particularly timely as the sector makes preparations for the first ever International Science Centre Day in November and for the World Summit next year in Tokyo.” Linda has previously travelled to China with the British Council in 2004 and 2006 advising on the setting up of science centres and their sustainability.