Episode 318: Leaders of The Present, Not The Future
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In Episode 318 of 'That's What I Call Science,' hosts Dr. Oli Dove and Emma Hamasaki welcome Alyssa Sekinger Crowe, a marine Antarctic governance researcher at the University of Tasmania and passionate science communicator. Alyssa shares her journey from competitive swimming and climate activism as a teenager—inspired by the 2020 bushfires—to founding Young Ocean Innovators, a Melbourne-based initiative that empowers youth through hands-on climate action and leadership programs. She then discusses her current work leading the Tassie Student Science Communicators Network, an all-female, university-led group training students in engaging science communication across media formats. Alyssa emphasizes the importance of young people being recognized as leaders of the present, not just the future, advocating for youth inclusion in decision-making and highlighting their unique capacity for creative, boundary-pushing solutions. The episode also explores the emotional toll of climate work and the importance of self-care, community, and hope-driven storytelling in sustaining long-term engagement. Alyssa’s multifaceted work with the Antarctic Youth Coalition further underscores her commitment to youth-led climate action on a global scale.
Young people are already capable leaders—recognize them as such today, not just in the future.
Science communication is a learnable skill that can be practiced through storytelling, media, gamification, and creative arts.
Start small: join a community, volunteer, and take one action to build momentum and confidence.
Self-care and community are essential for sustaining mental well-being in climate and science advocacy.
Hope-driven narratives about existing climate solutions can counteract despair and inspire action.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
A Young Leader’s Journey: From Bushfires to Swimming the Channel
“I decided to put my swimming to the test and swim the channel... raise $10,000 which was a lot for me back then... to go towards koala bushfire rehabilitation.”
Empowering Youth: The Birth of Young Ocean Innovators
“Once you see a gap and you have a passion, just to go for it and follow through with it.”
Building the Future: Tassie Student Science Communicators Network
“You don't have to be good at public speaking to be a good science communicator, that it's a skill that you can practice and practice and practice to get there.”
Leaders of the Present: Youth as Immediate Change-Makers
“It's not a drawback that you don't understand the systems—you might suggest something that hasn't been thought of yet that is out of the box, that is creative and hopeful as well.”
“It's not a drawback that you don't understand the systems—you might suggest something that hasn't been thought of yet that is out of the box, that is creative and hopeful as well.”
“We are not waiting for tomorrow. We are leaders of the present.”
“You don't have to be good at public speaking to be a good science communicator, that it's a skill that you can practice and practice and practice to get there.”
Hosts
Guest
Alyssa Sekinger Crowe
person
Dr. Oli Dove
person
Emma Hamasaki
person
University of Tasmania
organization
Tassie Student Science Communicators Network
organization
Young Ocean Innovators
organization
Antarctic Youth Coalition
organization
2020 Bushfires
other
English Channel
other
EDGE Radio
organization
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