Jenni Metcalfe, Director of Econnect Communication

Jenni Metcalfe

I love nothing better than being outdoors. I’m studying for my inshore skipper certificate, so I’m on Moreton Bay most weekends sailing. I don’t think many people understand how beautiful the bay is. Or that only 5% of it is protected.

One of the highlights of my life, in August this year, was watching a humpback whale give birth while I sailed in a race near Hamilton Island.

At heart I still feel like I’m 18 most of the time – so imagine my shock when I recently noticed that I’ve been a science communicator for 18 years! Does this mean that I now know what I want to be when I grow up? I hope not. At least, I hope I’ve managed to hang on to that childhood curiosity and yearning for learning.

Science communication combines my love of journalism, communication and science—especially environmental science.

At Econnect, I hope that we can make a difference with our work and help to create the change that our planet and community needs to survive the century. This is one of the reasons I took on the role of President for the Australian Science Communicators in 2006–07. Although, my team see it as just another symptom of my need for continual movement.

You have to be able to give something back to those issues you believe in. We’re not a huge corporation that can afford to give a lot of money—but we can give our time. I like to do practical things. If I can donate money, I like to see where it goes.

In 2007 we bought a horse for a landcare facilitator in The Philippines. She rides through rough terrain to visit farmers in the far-flung communities of South Cotabato and help them with conservation practices. I’ve been there and met the people so I can see the benefits.

We also bought some microscopes for schools in the region. The kids there had only ever seen one in a book. Things like that get me excited.

I started writing a novel several years ago. One of these days I’ll finish it. It’s hard writing on a boat; the paper keeps getting wet…

Qualifications

Master of Science (Environment)

Bachelor of Business Communication (Journalism/Audio-visual Production)

Bachelor of Education (Science)

Memberships

Australian Science Communicators (President, 2006-2007)

Scientific Committee of the International Public Communication of Science and Technology Network

Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance

Griffith University Alumni Assoc.

QUT Foundation