Communicate 2024 Programme

Celebrating 20 years of Communicate conference!

New Connections for Nature 26th, 27th and 28th November 2024 Online Manchester London Bristol

Communicate 2024 Conference Programme

#Communicate2024

communicateconference.org.uk

#communicate2024

@nat_his_con

New Connections for Nature 26th - 28th November 2024 | Online Manchester London Bristol

Welcome to Communicate 2024 We’re looking forward to welcoming you to this year’s conference! Our annual conference for environmental communicators continues to grow each year and we’re delighted to feature 45 sessions this year taking place online, livestreamed and in person in Manchester, London and Bristol.

It’s also our 20th anniversary – celebrating progress and changes in the sector, and the longstanding collaboration of our Natural History Consortium partnership. When we created the first conference in Communicate 2004: Awareness to Action, we never could have predicted the changes in communication techniques (hello social media!) or the trends for people and nature’s recovery.

As we prepare to launch this year’s programme we also have a new UK Government, with a range of new and emerging policies and initiatives. Communicate is a place to gather, discuss, and share ideas about the year ahead. As a charity we’ve worked hard to keep tickets as accessible as possible, and we couldn’t do it without the support of our funders and partners – thank you. This is one not to miss – book now!

Made possible with support from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

The Natural History Consortium in partnership with ESRC is proud to present a special strand of sessions running across all three days of the conference showcasing cutting-edge social science research.

Click here to book your tickets for the conference

About us Communicate Conference has been running since 2004, and is produced by The Natural History Consortium, a charitable collaboration between Avon Wildlife Trust, Bath & Northeast Somerset Council, BBC, Bristol City Council, Bristol Zoological Society, Defra, Forestry England, National Trust, Natural England, University of Bath, University of Bristol, University of the West of England, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, and Woodland Trust.

Registered Charity: 1123432

What can I attend?

This year’s Communicate runs across 3 days on Tuesday 26th, Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th November 2024.

The Online conference is taking place on all three days, with access to online sessions and content livestreamed from the in-person venues.

Tickets for the digital conference cost £25 +VAT. Click here to book a ticket.

The Manchester conference is taking place on Tuesday 26th November, with access to a full day of in-person talks, workshops, and networking opportunities at the Friends’ Meeting House.

Find accessibility information about the venue here. Tickets for the Manchester conference cost £75 +VAT. Click here to book a ticket.

The London conference is taking place on Wednesday 27th November, with access to a full day of in-person talks, workshops, and networking opportunities at Woburn House.

Find accessibility information about the venue here. Tickets for the London conference cost £75 +VAT. Click here to book a ticket. [SOLD OUT] The Bristol conference is taking place on Thursday 28th November, with access to a full day of in-person talks, workshops, and networking opportunities at We the Curious.

Find accessibility information about the venue here. Tickets for the Bristol conference cost £75 +VAT. Click here to book a ticket. [SOLD OUT] Digital content will be recorded and, where permission is given by the speaker to share, will be available to watch back via the Natural History Consortium YouTube channel and Communicate Archive following the conference. In-person workshops and masterclasses will not be recorded.

Conference strands New for 2024 - Educators / Education Staff Strand

We’re delighted to announce a new strand of 5 sessions in this year’s programme designed for anyone working in environmental education / learning.

The sessions have been designed and programmed with the Education teams at WWF-UK and Chester Zoo, to ensure we’re touching on the key issues for this important cohort of the sector. Join us live in Manchester for two discussion-based sessions, or online from anywhere in the UK. Returning in 2024 - ESRC Strand The Natural History Consortium in partnership with the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is proud to present a special strand of sessions running across all three days of the conference showcasing cutting-edge social science research.

Day 1 - Tuesday 26 November 2024

Manchester and Online

New Connections for Nature

If you have an online ticket, you can access and choose from the online only and livestream sessions on this day. If you have a Manchester ticket, you can access and choose from the in-person sessions on this day. Livestream sessions will take place at the in-person venue and be streamed live for our online audience.

26 - 28 November 2024 Online Manchester London Bristol communicateconference.org.uk

At a glance 10:00 - 10:45 | News of the day - In-person (Manchester) and livestream

11:00 - 11:45 Membership: the power of participation - Online only

11:00 - 11:45 Communicating across the divide - In-person and livestream

11:00 - 11:45 Educating in a campaigning environment - In-person: workshops & masterclasses

11:00 - 11:45 Measuring holistic impact - In-person: workshops & masterclasses

12:00 - 12:45 Lunch and networking - If you’re booked for a live event, please join us for a vegetarian / vegan lunch and a chance to connect with other delegates.

13:00 - 13:45 Activating our messages through mainstream channels (Panel 1) - Online only

15:00 - 15:45 Deep dive into nature connectedness and schools - Online only

13:00 - 13:45 What are teachers really thinking and how do we know? - In-person and livestream

13:00 - 13:45 Activating community environmental action (Panel 1) - In-person: workshops & masterclasses

14:00 - 14:45 Virtual and remote engagement with nature - In-person and livestream

14:00 - 14:45 Engaging secondary schools: citizen science case studies - In-person: workshops & masterclasses

14:00 - 14:45 Empowering young voices to cut through the social media noise - In-person: workshops & masterclasses

15:00 - 15:45 Pedagogical choices: communicating our stories - In-person and livestream

15:00 - 15:45 What does anti-racism actually mean in the environment movement? - In-person: workshops & masterclasses

15:00 - 15:45 Learning from the culture sector - In-person: workshops & masterclasses

16:00 - 16:30 | Keynote 1: Miles Richardson - on the importance of connections for people and nature - In-person (Manchester) and livestream

Day 2 - Wednesday 27 November 2024

London and Online

If you have an online ticket, you can access and choose from the online only and livestream sessions on this day. If you have a London ticket, you can access and choose from the in-person sessions on this day. Livestream sessions will take place at the in-person venue and be streamed live for our online audience.

New Connections for Nature 26 - 28 November 2024 Online Manchester London Bristol communicateconference.org.uk

At a glance 10:00 - 10:45 | News of the day - In-person (London) and livestream

11:00 - 11:45 Communicating complexity - Online only

11:00 - 11:45 Journalist spotlight: In Conversation - In-person and livestream

11:00 - 11:45 Communicating the value of nature - In-person: workshops and masterclasses

11:00 - 11:45 Workshop: Enabling green choices - In-person: workshops and masterclasses

12:00 - 12:45 Lunch and networking - If you’re booked for a live event, please join us for a vegetarian / vegan lunch and a chance to connect with other delegates.

13:00 - 13:45 Defra policy and communications: Focus on green finance - Online only

13:00 - 13:45 What if Nature had an advertising agency?- In-person and livestream

13:00 - 13:45 Skills session: presentations and public speaking - In-person: workshops and masterclasses

14:00 - 14:45 Skills session: digital fundraising - Online only

14:00 - 14:45 Soundscapes: The power of nature engagement through sound - In-person and livestream

14:00 - 14:45 Exploring media justice - In-person: workshops & masterclasses

15:00 - 15:45 Activating nature messages through mainstream channels (Panel 2) - In-person and livestream

15:00 - 15:45 BBC Earth: Learnings from our digital journey - In-person: workshops & masterclasses

16:00 - 16:30 | Keynote 2: In Conversation with Hafsah Hafeji - In-person (London) and livestream

Day 3 - Thursday 28 November 2024

Bristol and Online

New Connections for Nature

If you have an online ticket, you can access and choose from the online only and livestream sessions on this day. If you have a Bristol ticket, you can access and choose from the in-person sessions on this day. Livestream sessions will take place at the in-person venue and be streamed live for our online audience.

26 - 28 November 2024 Online Manchester London Bristol communicateconference.org.uk

At a glance 10:00 - 10:45 | News of the day - In-person (Bristol) and livestream

11:00 - 11:45 Disability inclusive nature engagement - Online only

11:00 - 11:45 Communications challenges: misinformation, cynicism, and greenwashing (Panel 2) - In-person and livestream

11:00 - 11:45 Effective content and storytelling - In-person: workshops & masterclasses

12:00 - 12:45 Lunch and networking - If you’re booked for a live event, please join us for a vegetarian / vegan lunch and a chance to connect with other delegates.

13:00 - 13:45 Audience insights: what do the UK public think about the environment and climate change? - Online only

13:00 - 13:45 Decolonising conservation & environmental sectors in UK using a social justice framework - In-person and livestream

13:00 - 13:45 Communicating the health value of nature - In-person: workshops & masterclasses

13:00 - 13:45 Skills session: Building a communications campaign from scratch - In-person: workshops & masterclasses

14:00 - 14:45 Skills session: pitching audio content - Online only

14:00 - 14:45 Culture change for nature - In-person and livestream

14:00 - 14:45 Activating community environmental action (Panel 2) - In-person: workshops & masterclasses

14:00 - 14:45 Skills session: Harnessing AI for communications - In-person: workshops & masterclasses

15:00 - 15:45 Business and brands: collaborators (and competitors?)

- In-person and livestream

15:00 - 15:45 Ethics and communication - In-person: workshops & masterclasses

15:00 - 15:45 Skills session: Why our approach to email is all wrong and how to get it right - In-person: workshops & masterclasses

16:00 - 16:30 | Keynote 3: Mitch Turnbull - enhancing engagement with nature through immersive technologies - In-person (Bristol) and livestream

Day 1 - Tuesday 26 November 2024

Manchester and Online

Day 1 - Tuesday 26 November 2024

Manchester and Online

New Connections for Nature

If you have an online ticket, you can access and choose from the online only and livestream sessions on this day. If you have a Manchester ticket, you can access and choose from the in-person sessions on this day. Livestream sessions will take place at the in-person venue and be streamed live for our online audience.

26 - 28 November 2024 Online Manchester London Bristol communicateconference.org.uk

In-person and livestream News of the day 10:00 - 10:45

Welcome to Communicate 2024 and our 20th Anniversary! Savita Willmott, Chief Executive of The Natural History Consortium, will welcome our delegates joining us from every corner of the UK. Join us in Manchester or online as we dive straight into the day’s news with our panel of commentators to ground our conference day in the most up-to-date context.

Chair: Savita Willmott, The Natural History Consortium | Speakers: Chris Dessent, Creative Concern | Sophie Yeo, Environmental Journalist | Pete Abel, Manchester Friends of the Earth This is the only session running online and in person at 10:00 - 10:45. The session will be livestreamed to our online audience from Manchester.

ONLINE

11:00 - 11:45

ONLINE

ONLINE

In-person and livestream

In-person: workshops & masterclasses

In-person: workshops & masterclasses

Membership: The power of participation

Communicating across the divide

Educating in a campaigning environment

Measuring holistic impact

This session challenges transactional membership models and explores the transformative impact of participation: doing good things with your members, not just for them, driving meaningful participation around a shared mission, tapping into your members’ ideas, skills, passions and talents.

How do we connect, listen to, learn from and share messages with audiences outside our comfort zone, and beyond our current base? We’ll look at some practical techniques, inspiring projects and current research to help us bridge the divide.

What challenges arise when education staff or departments sit within a wider organisational context?

We'll explore how and when we are educating, campaigning for change, and behaviour change and the role of education programmes in environmental communication. (Educators Strand)

Are we capturing the full value of our work? Join experts from the Centre for Thriving Places in this workshop to explore a holistic approach to understanding impact.

Learn strategies to identify and demonstrate benefits for the wellbeing of people, places and the planet.

Oliver Holtaway, New Citizenship Project Anna Maria Hosford, New Citizenship Project

Rosie Gordon Lennox, Hubbub | Paul Hinds, Natural England | Mike Innerdale, National Trust Chair: Anna Jameson, BBC Radio Manchester

Charlotte Smith, Chester Zoo | Rosalind Mist, WWF-UK

Lunch and networking 12:00 - 12:45

ONLINE

Online only

If you’re booked for a live event, please join us for a vegetarian / vegan lunch and a chance to connect with other delegates. Our conference delegate list will be shared in advance, and the Communicate team will be on hand to help with introductions.

Lisa Groves, Centre for Thriving Places Fraser Bell, Centre for Thriving Places

Day 1 - Tuesday 26 November 2024

Manchester and Online ONLINE

13:00 - 13:45

14:00 - 14:45

New Connections for Nature

If you have an online ticket, you can access and choose from the online only and livestream sessions on this day. If you have a Manchester ticket, you can access and choose from the in-person sessions on this day. Livestream sessions will take place at the in-person venue and be streamed live for our online audience.

ONLINE

26 - 28 November 2024 Online Manchester London Bristol communicateconference.org.uk

ONLINE

Online only

In-person and livestream

In-person: workshops & masterclasses

Activating our messages through mainstream channels - Panel 1

What are teachers really thinking and how do we know?

Activating community environmental action

From gaming to film, sport to fashion, we'll explore partnerships, the roles of celebrities and fresh approaches. How can we harness the power of popular culture to inspire action?

We'll explore how teachers use environmental education resources, take part in environmental programmes and visit outdoor settings - what do they need and how can we work better together? (Educators Strand)

Lewis Alcott, Can Games Teach, University of Bristol Sophie Kinsella, Forster Communications Lira Valencia, @outsidewithlira Chair: Helen Meech, Climate Coalition

Emily Reid, St Bernard’s Primary School Jessica Tipton – National Education Nature Park Richard Dunne, The Harmony Project Janet Lord, Manchester Metropolitan University

Online only ONLINE

In-person ONLINE and livestream

In-person: ONLINE workshops & masterclasses

In-person: ONLINE workshops & masterclasses

There is no online only session taking place at this time. Online ticket holders can tune into the livestream session.

Virtual and remote engagement with nature

Engaging secondary schools: citizen science case studies

Empowering young voices to cut through the social media noise

How can we connect with, engage and support secondary schools? Using citizen science as a case study we’ll explore the practicalities of making environmental projects accessible to and useful for students & teachers. (Educators Strand)

Are young people utilising social media to cut through the noise and provide an authentic unbiased voice on nature? We'll hear from a range of people to build our confidence in centring youth voices. Chair: Alan Wright, Lancashire Wildlife Trust.

Fiona Day, Mammal Society | Lyndon Howson, Hedgehog Friendly Campus | Alejandra Vergara-Peña & Rod Downie, WWF-UK | Chair: Nicholas Brown

A panel with youth representatives from The Ernest Cook Trust, Lancashire Wildlife Trust and the Manchester Nature Consortium Youth Panel.

How can we connect with our audiences virtually, when we or they can't be in nature? We'll look at a range of research, innovative practice and inspirational examples.

(This session is part of the Economic and Social Research Council [ESRC] Strand) Jillian Donnachie, Woodland Trust Caitlin Hafferty, University of Oxford Jesse Hildebrand, Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants Chair: Ellie Turner-Wallace, Natural History Consortium

Communities are essential for designing locally appropriate responses to the nature crisis in the UK. We'll explore exemplar practice and community-led projects to restore nature, and how projects can be designed to include the voices of the most marginalised and unheard voices.

Nick Gardner, The National Lottery Community Fund John Rose, The National Lottery Community Fund Ellie Sherlock, Manchester Climate Change Agency

Day 1 - Tuesday 26 November 2024

Manchester and Online ONLINE

15:00 - 15:45

New Connections for Nature

If you have an online ticket, you can access and choose from the online only and livestream sessions on this day. If you have a Manchester ticket, you can access and choose from the in-person sessions on this day. Livestream sessions will take place at the in-person venue and be streamed live for our online audience.

ONLINE

26 - 28 November 2024 Online Manchester London Bristol communicateconference.org.uk

ONLINE

ONLINE

Online only

In-person and livestream

In-person: workshops & masterclasses

In-person: workshops & masterclasses

Deep dive into nature connectedness and schools

Pedagogical choices: communicating our stories

What does anti-racism actually mean in the environment movement?

Learning from the culture sector

Join us for a deep dive into a new report exploring nature connectedness and schools, and have your say on how the sector and educators can collaborate to support young people. (Educators Strand)

Jon Turner, WWF-UK

In-person and livestream

Education in our sector is often a mixture of hearts and minds: skills, knowledge, storytelling and emotional connection. Together we'll move beyond chalk and talk and knowledge deficit models of environmental education, and explore other frameworks used by educators to inform programme development.

(Educators Strand) Debra Kidd, Author of A Curriculum of Hope Lauren Walker, Chester Zoo Chair: Charlotte Derry, Playful Places

A panel discussion on how or even if anti-racism can be realised in the environmental movement.

Curated and hosted by the Civic Power Fund.

Jess Mally, AWETHU School of Organising Fatima Ibrahim, Green New Deal Rising Enna Uwaifo, Intersectional Environmentalist Collective UK Chair: Zamzam Ibrahim, IYADA

What are some of the inspiring lessons and cautionary tales the environmental sector can learn from the UK's culture sector about audience engagement, measuring impact, resilience and creative fundraising approaches?

This roundtable session will be a lively and off-the-record opportunity for two sectors to connect.

Feimatta Conteh, Arts Council England Ruth Murray, Manchester Science and Industry Museum Robin Lyons, Ergon Theatre Kerenza McClarnan, National Landscapes

ONLINE

Keynote 1: Miles Richardson - on the importance of connections for people and nature 16:00 - 16:30

Our Manchester keynote speaker will be Miles Richardson, Professor of Human Factors and Nature Connectedness at the University of Derby.

Miles is a Chartered Psychologist, Chartered Ergonomist, and lead for the Nature Connectedness Research Group at the University of Derby. He has worked with a number of high profile nature conservation organisations including the National Trust and RSPB to develop engagement pathways and frameworks for nature connection. Miles is the author of Reconnection: Fixing our Broken Relationship with Nature (2023), exploring our hidden links with nature through the science of nature connectedness, setting out a way to revivify the relationship across society.

For those attending the in-person day at Friends’ Meeting House in Manchester, we invite you to continue networking over drinks provided at a nearby venue.

Day 2 - Wednesday 27 November 2024

London and Online

Day 2 - Wednesday 27 November 2024

London and Online

New Connections for Nature

If you have an online ticket, you can access and choose from the online only and livestream sessions on this day. If you have a London ticket, you can access and choose from the in-person sessions on this day. Livestream sessions will take place at the in-person venue and be streamed live for our online audience.

26 - 28 November 2024 Online Manchester London Bristol communicateconference.org.uk

In-person and livestream

News of the day 10:00 - 10:45

Join us in London or online as we dive straight into the day’s news with our panel of commentators to ground our conference day in the most up-to-date context.

Speakers: Peter Gilheany, Forster Communications | Nicky O'Malley, Global Action Plan | Birgitta Gatersleben, ACCESS | Tom Gray, BBC | Chair: Dhruti Shah, Have You Thought About This is the only session running online and in-person at 10:00 - 10:45. The session will be livestreamed to our online audience from London.

ONLINE

11:00 - 11:45

ONLINE

ONLINE

ONLINE

Online only

In-person and livestream

In-person: workshops & masterclasses

In-person: workshops & masterclasses

Communicating complexity

Journalist spotlight: In Conversation with Steph Spyro, Daily Express

Communicating the value of nature

Workshop: Enabling green choices

What have we learned about communicating the economic value of nature? We’ll explore TNFD reporting, green finance and social value from a communications and engagement perspective, and how we can learn new language and connect with new industries.

How can communications help government present a vision of a nature friendly, sustainable society? How can we build public acceptability for change? Join government officials to co-develop ideas on how best to use communications to empower the public to make nature-friendly choices. Maximum 20 attendees sign-up details will be circulated the week before.

Using chemical pollution and nutrient neutrality as case studies, we’ll look at the opportunities for clear, impactful communication around complex topics.

Adelle Rowe, Natural England Ellen Bradley, UK Youth for Nature Heather McFarlane, Fidra Chaired by Lily Morris, University of Bristol

We’re delighted to welcome Steph Spyro, Senior Political Correspondent and Environment Editor at the Daily Express, to join us for our Journalist Spotlight conversation.

Steph Spyro, Daily Express Host: Mark Funnell, National Trust

Aïsha Butera, AtkinsRéalis | Helen Avery, Green Finance Institute | Richard Benwell, Wildlife and Countryside Link Chair: Chloe Lawson, Natural England

Led by policy and communication representatives of Defra and DESNZ.

Lunch and networking 12:00 - 12:45

If you’re booked for a live event, please join us for a vegetarian / vegan lunch and a chance to connect with other delegates. Our conference delegate list will be shared in advance, and the Communicate team will be on hand to help with introductions.

Day 2 - Wednesday 27 November 2024

London and Online

If you have an online ticket, you can access and choose from the online only and livestream sessions on this day. If you have a London ticket, you can access and choose from the in-person sessions on this day. Livestream sessions will take place at the in-person venue and be streamed live for our online audience.

ONLINE

13:00 - 13:45

26 - 28 November 2024 Online Manchester London Bristol communicateconference.org.uk

Online only

In-person and livestream

In-person: workshops & masterclasses

Defra policy and communications: Focus on green finance

What if Nature had an advertising agency?

Skills session: Presentations and public speaking

Join Lisa Merrick Lawless, Co-founder of Purpose Disruptors, to explore an advertising agency in service of all life on Earth.

Discover ground-breaking campaigns from their first-of-its-kind Agency for Nature initiative, a pop-up agency promoting a natureconnected life. Prepare to be inspired by this “game changer in climate communications”.

Chair: Emily Boxall, Royal College of Art Lisa Merrick Lawless, Purpose Disruptors

Face-to-face presenting is a key skill for environmental communicators: Whether it's speaking at conferences, sharing project updates with stakeholders, or showing off an amazing venue.

In this interactive workshop, professional presentation coach Barney Speed-Grenfell will give you some top tips to help you unleash your passion for presenting!

Online only

In-person and livestream

In-person: workshops & masterclasses

Skills session: Digital fundraising

Soundscapes: The power of nature engagement through sound

Exploring media justice

An update from policy and strategic communications colleagues at Defra on emerging priorities, current programmes, and opportunities for collaboration, with a focus on green finance.

ONLINE

14:00 - 14:45

New Connections for Nature

Learn how to develop effective growth strategies, create impactful campaigns, and discover the five tried and tested techniques to drive income that digital campaign expert Reece Jackson used to raise millions through innovative digital fundraising techniques and drive successful fundraising initiatives for top brands, non-profits, and charities alike.

Reece Jackson, Moral Media | Chair: Valerie Leisten, Media Trust

How can the sounds of nature engage and inspire audiences in new, accessible and unexpected ways? We'll explore innovative research, inspiring projects and practical techniques.

(ESRC Strand). Chaired by Birgitta Gatersleben, ACCESS. Sarah Payne, University of Surrey | Jessica Wardlaw, Natural History Museum | Bridget Appleby, Secret Life of Sounds

Barney Speed-Grenfell, Ignited Presenting Host: Michelle Mangal, Natural England

Join us for this interactive session where we will present provocations and discuss solutions to issues in media justice, focusing on representation, and barriers like class and race for access to communication platforms.

Samia Dumbuya, Facilitator, Consultant and Researcher Sofie Jenkinson, Round Our Way Chair: Kalpana Arias, Nowadays on Earth

Day 2 - Wednesday 27 November 2024

London and Online

New Connections for Nature

If you have an online ticket, you can access and choose from the online only and livestream sessions on this day. If you have a London ticket, you can access and choose from the in-person sessions on this day. Livestream sessions will take place at the in-person venue and be streamed live for our online audience.

ONLINE

26 - 28 November 2024 Online Manchester London Bristol communicateconference.org.uk

Online only

In-person and livestream

In-person: workshops & masterclasses

There is no online only session taking place at this time. Online ticket holders can tune into the livestream session.

Activating nature messages through mainstream channels

BBC Earth: Learnings from our digital journey

What are the opportunities for bringing our messages and programmes into mainstream and popular culture? From gaming to film, sport to fashion, we'll explore partnerships, the role of celebrities and fresh approaches.

15:00 - 15:45

Siobhan Bailey Turner, WWF-UK | Dave Lockwood, BBC Sport Rob Slade, On the Edge | Chair: Genevieve Margrett, Count Us In

Insights, pitfalls and examples from a decade of BBC Earth on social media. The team will share what they’ve learnt about public interest in the natural world and invite delegates to workshop some of the insights. This session is curated by the BBC Earth Digital Team.

Matt Butler, BBC Studios Katherine Duff, BBC Studios

In-person and livestream Keynote 2: In Conversation with Hafsah Hafeji Our London keynote speaker will be Hafsah Hafeji, Horticulturalist, Nature Educator & Wildlife Gardening Advocate.

16:00 - 16:30

Hafsah is a horticulturalist that advocates for community gardens and nature education. She has worked as a nature educator in schools and community groups for organisations such as Learning Through Landscapes and Kew Gardens. Hafsah currently works as Volunteer and Community Outreach Coordinator for Spitalfields City Farm in London. She is also on the board of trustees for the Wildlife Gardening Forum helping to make their work more accessible and engaging for a diverse range of communities.

For those attending the in-person day at Woburn House in London, we invite you to continue networking over drinks provided at a nearby venue.

Day 3 - Thursday 28 November 2024

Bristol and Online

Day 3 - Thursday 28 November 2024

Bristol and Online

New Connections for Nature

If you have an online ticket, you can access and choose from the online only and livestream sessions on this day. If you have a Bristol ticket, you can access and choose from the in-person sessions on this day. Livestream sessions will take place at the in-person venue and be streamed live for our online audience.

26 - 28 November 2024 Online Manchester London Bristol communicateconference.org.uk

In-person and livestream News of the day 10:00 - 10:45

Join us in Bristol or online as we dive straight into the day’s news with our panel of commentators to ground our conference day in the most up-to-date context.

Chair: Ali Vowles, Freelance Journalist | Speakers: Jenny Hatchard, BBC News | Chantal Lyons, Naturalist & Author | Adam Royle, National Trust This is the only session running online and in person at 10:00 - 10:45. The session will be livestreamed to our online audience from Bristol.

ONLINE

11:00 - 11:45

ONLINE

ONLINE

Online only

In-person and livestream

In-person: workshops & masterclasses

Disability inclusive nature engagement

Communications challenges: misinformation & cynicism

Effective content and storytelling

Everyone needs nature. How can we ensure our programmes are disability inclusive, centring the voices of Disabled people, and are fair, accessible and inspiring?

Hear about some of the key work being done to make the great outdoors more accessible. (ESRC Strand) Andy Shipley, Sensing Nature Sarah Bell, University of Exeter George Rhodes, All Able

How can we effectively communicate in complex, challenging or hostile contexts? Our panel will explore current work, thinking and potential approaches for the sector.

Mike Harris, 89Up Jamie Clarke, Engaging Climate Chaired by Olivia Sweeney, Clean Air Fund

Are you looking for some fresh inspiration to create engaging content and programmes using the very latest thinking about storytelling? Join us for a session with BBC and breathe fresh life into your communications.

Elizabeth White, BBC Studios Natural History Unit Host: Tim Scoons, Consultant in conservation media

Lunch and networking 12:00 - 12:45

If you’re booked for a live event, please join us for a vegetarian / vegan lunch and a chance to connect with other delegates. Our conference delegate list will be shared in advance, and the Communicate team will be on hand to help with introductions.

Day 3 - Thursday 28 November 2024

Bristol and Online ONLINE

13:00 - 13:45

14:00 - 14:45

New Connections for Nature

If you have an online ticket, you can access and choose from the online only and livestream sessions on this day. If you have a Bristol ticket, you can access and choose from the in-person sessions on this day. Livestream sessions will take place at the in-person venue and be streamed live for our online audience.

ONLINE

26 - 28 November 2024 Online Manchester London Bristol communicateconference.org.uk

ONLINE

ONLINE

Online only

In-person and livestream

In-person: workshops & masterclasses

In-person: workshops & masterclasses

Audience insights: what do the UK public think about the environment and climate change?

Decolonising conservation and environmental sectors in the UK using a social justice framework

Communicating the health value of nature

Skills session: Building a communications campaign from scratch

How are public attitudes towards the environment changing? Mike Clemence from Ipsos Trends & Foresight will share the latest data and insight from Ipsos to reveal the latest developments in UK views of Net Zero, climate change, green behaviours and more.

Featuring research using a decolonisation lens to incorporate BIPOC perspectives on reimagining the environmental and conservation sector, aiming to create equitable, inclusive, & sustainable conservation practices while addressing historical and ongoing colonial impacts.

Mike Clemence, Ipsos Trends & Foresight

Jaya Gajparia, London South Bank University Megha Kashyap, London South Bank University Chair: Laura Fogg-Rogers, UWE

Ellen Devine, Forestry England Jonathan Reeves, WWT Chair: Simon Martin, Nature Collective

Will Spragg & Nina Whitby, Greenhouse Communications Host: Rachel Topley, Bristol Zoological Society

Online only ONLINE

In-person ONLINE and livestream

In-person: ONLINE workshops & masterclasses

In-person: ONLINE workshops & masterclasses

Skills session: Pitching audio content

Culture change for nature

Activating community environmental action

How can we share our nature stories effectively through audio content? Our panel of producers will share tips and advice for pitching your projects, people and places to audio channels for greater reach with new audiences.

How can we build leadership, skills and increase diversity of thoughts and practitioners in the environmental sector? Our panel shares a range of projects and approaches and poses their provocations to our Communicate audience.

Can action for nature reduce inequality? 18 community organisations in Bristol are engaging with some of those hardest hit by the cost-of-living crisis on just this question. Join us for an interactive discussion to explore their new approach to community-led action plans.

Skills session: Harnessing AI for communications

Hannah Windross, Bristol Zoological Society Navroza Ladha, Natural England Gnisha Bevan, Nature Rising Chair: Chris Dunford, We The Curious

Chair: Mark Leach, Bristol City Council Donna Sealey, Ambition Lawrence Weston Amy Harrison, Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership Eric Swithinbank, Avon Wildlife Trust Eleanor Fairbraida, Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust

Fergus Collins, BBC Countryfile Magazine Plodcast Penny Southgate, Community Radio Environment Network David De La Haye, Underwater Sound Recordist Chair: Connor Davies, Presenter & Podcast Host

As the evidence base for nature's impact on our health continues to grow, what has research and practice revealed are effective and engaging ways to communicate the health value - and impact - of nature?

Back to basics! Join the expert campaigns team from Greenhouse Communications to deep dive into the building blocks of successful communications campaigns to improve your strategy, impact and success.

The communications landscape continues to change with AI an increasing factor in content creation, chat functions with audiences and data analysis. We'll dive into the opportunities and challenges for communicators - no experience necessary!

Jocelyn Burnham, AI for Culture Host: Kit Beaumont, Bristol City Council

Day 3 - Thursday 28 November 2024

Bristol and Online ONLINE

New Connections for Nature

If you have an online ticket, you can access and choose from the online only and livestream sessions on this day. If you have a Bristol ticket, you can access and choose from the in-person sessions on this day. Livestream sessions will take place at the in-person venue and be streamed live for our online audience.

ONLINE

26 - 28 November 2024 Online Manchester London Bristol communicateconference.org.uk

ONLINE

ONLINE

Online only

In-person and livestream

In-person: workshops & masterclasses

In-person: workshops & masterclasses

There is no online only session taking place at this time. Online ticket holders can tune into the livestream session.

Business and brands: Collaborators (and competitors?)

Ethics and communication

Skills session: Why our approach to email is all wrong — and how to get it right

15:00 - 15:45

In-person and livestream

The role, position and expertise of business in the nature sector is changing: how can we work most effectively together to engage new and diverse audiences? If we're not collaborating, are we competing for audience attention and engagement?

Alex Robinson, CEO, Hubbub Wendy Darke, True To Nature Clare Freshwater-Turner, Lloyds Banking Group Chair: David Cope, John Lewis Partnership Nature Fund

This workshop focuses on outcomes from a project that is seeking to identify the ethical dimensions that researchers and practitioners consider when communicating. Help to explore some of the ethical ramifications of communication and engagement, including questions it raises about power, access, purpose, autonomy, privacy and values.

Clare Wilkinson, UWE Bristol Chair: Stuart McCarthy Thompson, Avon Wildlife Trust

The sector has fallen into a monthly generic newsletter trap, and it’s doing us more harm than good. Join this session if you want to inject new email marketing energy into your organisation, improve performance, discover how you can be more creative and ultimately how to build emails that inspire your community to act.

Alex Fearon, Maybe Later Host: Ed Drewitt, Naturalist, Author & Speaker

ONLINE

Keynote 3: Mitch Turnbull - enhancing engagement with nature through immersive technologies 16:00 - 16:30

Host: Steve Simpson, University of Bristol

Mitch is an award-winning producer/director with 30+ years experience making nature, conservation and arts documentaries. Founder and Director of Bramble Media, she has worked in film, broadcast and digital media, and is currently researching the superpowers of immersive technologies to engage humanity with nature. She is an Industry Immersion Fellow with the South West Creative Technology Network and a Senior Research Associate in Immersive Natural History Experiences with the University of Bristol.

For those attending the in-person day at We the Curious in Bristol, we invite you to continue networking over drinks provided at a nearby venue.

communicateconference.org.uk Programme design by Isabelle Pulletz