From data to action: connecting science and activism
Science on the climate and biodiversity crises is essential. But data alone doesn't create change. Young activists are driving action and pushing for solutions. Should scientists and young activists collaborate more? Should places like museums and zoos be creating those connections? To shape a new programme on the planetary emergency, the Natural History Museum created an Advisory Board convening young activists and scientists. In 2021 Chester Zoo held its first annual youth symposium after creating a Youth Board to work collaboratively with its Board of Trustees.
Programme leads will share learnings and will be joined remotely by a climate activist from the Philippines on the NHM Advisory Board, and a members of Chester Zoo’s youth board. They will share their experiences participating on these boards, and their views on the potential role of museums and zoos in catalysing action.
This session is part of the Biodiversity and climate crisis conference track.
Outcomes: what will participants get from this session? Skills, knowledge, experience etc.
Participants will gain:
- Insights on how to convene scientists and activists and create programmes that integrate science and young people’s voices
- Opportunity to openly discuss how they view activism and to hear from activists
- Opportunity to discuss and reflect on the role of their organisation when it comes to catalysing change and motivating their audiences – what do they feel is within their remit, and what sits beyond those parameters?
Session speakers
International Partnerships Manager
Camilla has been co-leading a new public programme for young people called ‘Generation Hope: Act for the Planet’ which will run in March 2023. To help guide the programme she established an Advisory Board comprised of NHM scientists and young climate activists from 7 countries across the world. She will discuss the dynamics of the Museum’s scientists collaborating with young activists, with hugely diverse backgrounds and expertise, and what the future might hold for this collaborative working.
Natural History Museum London
Camilla will be joined virtually by Mitzi Jonelle Tan, a climate justice activist from the Philippines, who will share her experience as an activist as well as her experience as a member of the Advisory Board for a recent youth-led programme at the NHM.
Holly has been working as part of the Conservation, Education and Engagement team at Chester Zoo for the last 4 years and works with the informal education team delivering the zoo's messages to up to 2 million visitors annually. Holly leads on education events representing the zoo's science at high profile festivals and conferences as well as training young people in the zoo. She will discuss how the zoo is a unique environment for young activists and scientists to work together to achieve the zoo's mission of preventing extinction.
Chester Zoo’s Youth Board
Holly will be joined virtually by Chester Zoo’s Youth Board member, Fariha Agha. Fariha has worked on projects like the annual Youth Symposium, youth board recruitment and the development of new working materials. She is also a student of Public Health, with an interest in the important and fragile relationship between the climate crisis and health. Fariha will discuss what it means to hold a voice as a young activist within an organisation, and discuss the impact young people can have on creating change within the climate crisis space.
Chester Zoo’s Youth Board
Holly will be joined virtually by Chester Zoo’s Youth Board member, Matthew Taylor. Matt is one of two Vice Chairs and currently sits within Chester Zoo’s Public Affairs working group to ensure a youth input to the zoo's vital PA strategy and event planning. Outside of the Youth Board, he is a Senior Policy Advisor in the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs and is the Events Team Leader for the UK Civil Service Climate and Environment Network where he coordinates monthly talks and events to improve environmental knowledge and policy capability amongst UK civil servants. Matt will discuss what it means to hold a voice as a young activist within an organisation, and discuss the impact young people can have on creating change within the climate crisis space.
