Draft:Sci Burst
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Submission declined on 23 March 2026 by Bonadea (talk).
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Comment: What is missing here is substantial coverage of the podcast itself, published in outlets that are wholly unrelated to the podcast itself. Interviews with the founders, other publications by the founders, and podcast episodes are not independent (and, in the case of articles published by Richards and McCarthy, generally not relevant to the topic). bonadea contributions talk 12:42, 23 March 2026 (UTC)
Sci_Burst
Sci_Burst is an Australian science communication start-up and podcast that explores science through the lens of popular culture, entertainment, and speculative futures. Founded in 2022 by science communicators Isabel Richards and Ella McCarthy, the project produces podcasts, workshops, public talks, and other media content aimed at making science accessible for a general audience.
Overview
Sci_Burst links scientific concepts to elements of popular culture – including movies, TV shows, books, music, and video games – to engage non-expert audiences in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The project is informed by a solarpunk ethos, emphasising sustainable and optimistic futures, and promotes interdisciplinary thinking and creative storytelling.
History and Activities
Sci_Burst was founded in 2022 by Isabel Richards and Ella McCarthy, who were science communication students at the Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science at The Australian National University (ANU).[1] Richards authored an honours thesis on science communication in speculative fiction, demonstrating her academic background in interdisciplinary STEM communication,[2] while McCarthy has conducted research on the facets and dynamics of different science audiences and inclusive science communication.[3][4] Richards has also published works on the history of women in science popularization and contributed to projects on the history of technology in Australia and studying science in pop culture through textual analysis.[5][6][7]
Originally conceived as a podcast, the project has developed into a multifaceted start-up, with activities including workshops, public events, freelance writing, live presentations, consultation, and more. The founders remain affiliated with different schools at ANU and with Popsicule, the Science in Pop Culture and Entertainment Hub of ANU, while expanding Sci_Burst’s reach across Canberra and nationally.[8][9]
In 2023, they conducted presentations as part of the Canberra Innovation Festival[10] and the Science. Art. Film. series at the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.[11] Sci_Burst participated in the Popsicule stall at the 2024 Canberra Comic-Con.[12][13] Richards was a 2025 recipient of YWCA Canberra’s Great Ydeas, Small Grants program for Sci_Burst.[14] In 2025, Richards and McCarthy also appeared on ABC Radio Canberra.[15]
Additional activities include:
- Educational outreach for students and young STEAM learners, including those participating in the National Youth Science Forum and Curious Minds – Girls in STEM program
- Live presentations and panels on topics such as science in street art, narrative communication, and the parallels between the scientific method and crime fiction
- Collaborative speaking engagements at symposiums discussing climate narratives, science fables, and media[16]
Podcast Format and Content
The Sci_Burst podcast is released monthly and blends scientific insights with discussion of pop culture phenomena. Episodes have explored topics such as ecology in Pokémon, multiverse theories in film, STEM representation in 2000s teen media, and speculative solarpunk futures.[17][18][19][20] The show includes interviews with experts, thematic deep dives, and creative interpretations of scientific concepts in fiction.
Mission
Sci_Burst aims to make scientific thinking and critical inquiry accessible to people from diverse backgrounds, regardless of prior scientific expertise. The project emphasises inclusive communication, creativity, and community engagement while challenging traditional stereotypes in STEM fields. They also have a focus on inspiring hopeful, sustainable futures to combat dystopian narratives and climate doomerism.
- provide significant coverage: discuss the subject in detail, not just brief mentions or routine announcements;
- are reliable: from reputable outlets with editorial oversight;
- are independent: not connected to the subject, such as interviews, press releases, the subject's own website, or sponsored content.
Please add references that meet all three of these criteria. If none exist, the subject is not yet suitable for Wikipedia.