Panel C

Session C, April 26, 2022, 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. ET
Communicating in Turbulent Times

Session Chairs: Kristin Hanson, M.Sc., P.Geo.(Non-practising), FGC and Kristina Small, P.Geo.
A moderated Q & A will follow after the panel presentations.

Presentation 1: What’s gone wrong with geoscience’s public image and what needs to change?

Speaker: Haydon Mort, CEO and Founder, Geologize Ltd. - SEE SPEAKER'S BIO

SUMMARY
Geologist, Haydon Mort takes us through a brief overview of his acclaimed course, Practical Geocommunication, and highlights the key take away messages. How can we use empathy and powerful communication to genuinely impact the public’s perception of our subject?

Presentation 2: Misinformation and De-escalation on Social Media

Speaker: Veronica Klassen, Master's in Science Communication, Manager of "Beneath Your Feet: a Geoscience Blog", a part of the APGO Education Foundation - SEE SPEAKER'S BIO

SUMMARY
Ms.Klassen will be speaking on how to communicate with audiences on social media in a time of misinformation, division, and inflammation. What makes misinformation so easily spread? And what can we do to preemptively protect our audiences against false statements? What is the best way to approach inflammatory comments online and gain respect and trust from our followers? Ms. Klassen will help explain how we, as geoscientists, can best use social media to spread truthful and scientific messages and why it is important that we engage honestly with our audiences online.

Presentation 3: Reasonably "Grounding" Off-Duty Communications for Professionals

Speaker: Omar Ha-Redeye, Fleet Street Law- SEE SPEAKER'S BIO

SUMMARY
Regulated professionals, including Geoscientists, are subject to additional restrictions and limitations in their private conduct, including their communications online. However, Section 2(b) expression rights under the Charter are not to be interfered with lightly, and there is even a strong public interest in ensuring that professionals can weigh in on matters being discussed in the public sphere. Social media has complicated all of these issues significantly, especially where some of this commentary may occur on a private account. This session will provide a brief overview of the law in this area, including some recent discipline decisions, to highlight the important considerations for Geoscientists communicating on matters of public interest outside of their work..

Presentation 4: The Importance of Values and Immediacy in Crisis Communications

Speaker: Joanne Kearney, Managing Partner, Smithcom - SEE SPEAKER'S BIO

SUMMARY
A professional can build their reputation over many years, but can ruin it in five minutes if they don’t communicate effectively in a crisis. In our 21st century world, communication is constant. And immediate. Within the first minutes of a crisis breaking media will be calling, social media will be tweeting, investors will be reacting, stakeholders will want answers and your employees will be looking for action. Effective communications will be critical.

A crisis can take many forms – a community protest, a blockade, an operational emergency. During this time, you are not only an professional Geoscientist, you become a crisis manager. Are you prepared? How and where you communicate, when you communicate and to whom you communicate are essential components of an effective communications strategy during times of challenge. The goal from this talk? Discuss helpful tips to build, protect and enhance your corporate reputation while you navigate the most intense moment in your professional life.