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Are you interested in science communication? ComSciCon Houston is Texas’s only chapter of ComSciCon, a science communication conference for graduate students, postdocs, and research assistants.
ComSciCon Houston 2026 focuses on “Charting the Information Frontier,” which highlights the evolving landscape of information, technology, and knowledge systems and encourages innovative, interdisciplinary perspectives on navigating this rapidly changing domain. The conference will feature expert panels, workshops, a keynote address, plenty of networking opportunities, and a Create-a-Thon, where participants share their own science communication pieces to receive both peer and expert feedback.
Attendance is completely free, but all participants must apply!
Invited Experts
We are excited to announce the invited science communication experts for our 2026 conference. Check back soon for more info and bios!
Keynote Speaker:
Dr. Barbara Gastel
Barbara Gastel, MD, MPH, whose main area of focus is the communication of science and medicine, is a professor at Texas A&M University, where she directs the graduate program in science and technology journalism. She is lead author of the recent editions of the book How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper, and her book Medical Editing: A Guide to Learning the Craft and Building Your Career appeared in fall 2025. She also has published three other books and many articles and chapters. Long interested in the international communication of science, she taught for two years in China and has given workshops in numerous countries in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. She has received awards from the American Medical Writers Association, the Council of Science Editors, and the scientific research society Sigma Xi, and she is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Panelists:
Dr. Elizabeth Barnes
Dr. M. Elizabeth Barnes is an Associate Professor of Biology at Middle Tennessee State University, where she directs the Social Perceptions of Science Lab. Her research focuses on undergraduate science communication education, particularly how students learn to communicate about socially contentious topics such as evolution, climate change, and vaccines in ways that reduce conflict and build trust. She integrates theory and methods from biology education research, social psychology, and science communication to study how values, identity, and interpersonal dynamics shape the communication behaviors of scientists and students.
Dr. Barnes is the recipient of an NSF CAREER Award and leads the Science Communication Education Research Network (SCERN), a national collaborative advancing research and training in undergraduate science communication. Her work has been published in outlets such as NPR, BBC, and Scientific American. Through her research, teaching, and leadership, she is committed to preparing scientists and students to engage diverse publics with empathy, humility, and evidence-based communication strategies.
Dr. Danielle Bainbridge
Danielle Bainbridge is Assistant Professor of Theatre, Black Studies, and Performance Studies at Northwestern University. Her first academic book, Currencies of Cruelty: Slavery, Freak Shows, and the Performance Archive, was published in 2026 NYU Press. Her first memoir, Dandelion: A Memoir in Essays, was published by Jaded Ibis Press in 2025, where it was the winner of the inaugural Uplift Voices Nonfiction Prize. Danielle has received scholarships and residencies from Tin House, the Adirondack Center for Writing, and the Banff Centre in Canada. Her web series and media work have been nominated for three Daytime Emmy Awards and one NAACP Image Award. She lives and loves in Chicago with her partner and two naughty cats.
Dr. Ashley Monahan
Ashley Monahan, PhD, is a neuroscientist, medical writer, and science communication consultant who specializes in translating complex scientific and clinical concepts into clear, engaging, and visually compelling stories. She is currently a Senior Medical Writer at the Neuroscience Education Institute (HMP Global) where she leads the development of national medical education programs. Her work includes making slide decks, mechanism-of-action animations, abstracts, music video parodies, and patient-facing resources across neuropsychiatric disease areas.
In parallel, Ashley runs SciComm Consulting, where she partners with academic institutions, nonprofits, and industry clients to write grants and manuscripts as well as design figures, infographics, and workshops focused on effective science visualization and storytelling. Her work sits at the intersection of science, design, and education, with a strong emphasis on accessibility, audience awareness, and trust in science.
Ashley is a long-time science communication advocate and mentor, and she is passionate about empowering early-career scientists to communicate their work with clarity, creativity, and confidence.
Tentative Program
Saturday, April 04, 2026
9:30-10 Check-in and breakfast
10:00-10:15 Opening Remarks
10:15-11:00 Demystifying scientific findings:
- Workshop 1: Making science accessible to a general audience
- Panel 1: Addressing misleading narratives
11:00-12:00 Attendee Pop Talks
12:00-12:10 Brain Break 1
12:10-12:55 Sifting for the Truth
- Workshop 2: Understanding your audience
- Panel 2: Building your credibility
12:55-2:10 Networking Lunch
2:10-3:10 Skills Workshop
3:10-3:20 Brain Break 2
3:20-5:00 Create-A-Thon
5:10-6:00 Keynote
6:00-6:15 Closing and Raffle
Organizing Committee
Rice University
Daziyah Sullivan
Kevin Juarez
Advised by Dr. Kyung-Hee Bae
University of Houston
Supraja Vaidhyanathan
Texas A&M
Asad Karim
Oluwaseun Aladeboyeje
UT San Antonio
Arushi Kapoor
Together, we are committed to:
✨ Bringing accessible, high-quality science communication training to graduate students
✨ Building strong partnerships with industry, universities, and community organizations
✨Expanding opportunities for diverse voices in STEM communication.
Sponsors
Triple Crown Sponsor:
Gold Rush Sponsor:
Rice CAPC
Rice CCL
Rice Alumni Relations office
Rice Graduate and Professional Studies
Rice School of Natural Sciences
Turquoise Sponsor:
Bronze Sponsor:
Denim Sponsor:
American Medical Writers Association, Southwest chapter
Scientific Communication Advances Research Excellence
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect from ComSciCon 2026?
At ComSciCon Houston 2026, you can expect to learn practical science communication skills, learn about part-time and full-time careers in science communication, and network with others who are interested in science communication. You will hear from speakers and panelists who are expert science communicators in many different scientific fields. You will participate in interactive workshops where you will learn about science writing, scientific illustration, navigating social media, hosting equitable science communication events, and more. You will have the opportunity to get practice and feedback on scientific writing and speaking through the Create-A-Thon and pop talks.
Who can apply to ComSciCon Houston? Do I need to be a Rice University student?
Applicants must be STEM graduate students or postdocs, work in Houston or the greater Central Texas area, and have an interest in science communication. While the conference is held at Rice University, attendance is open to anyone in the Houston area.
Past ComSciCon conferences have had participants from a variety of Texas colleges and universities, including but not limited to the University of Texas at Austin, Baylor, Texas A&M University, the University of Houston, and MD Anderson.
What is the cost to attend the ComSciCon Houston 2025 Conference?
Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, we are able to host the ComSciCon Houston 2026 conference at no-cost to attendees. Participants will be provided with lunch and snacks during the conference, as well as ComSciCon Houston swag.
What is a Create-A-Thon?
The purpose of the Create-A-Thon is to produce a piece of science communication about any scientific topic of interest. Pieces can be formatted as an essay (roughly 500 words), a short video, a podcast segment, an art piece, or any other media. Content can be about your own research or any other scientific topic of interest. Your intended audience for Create-A-Thon will be like the readers of local newspaper (e.g., the Houston Chronicle) who may have a college education but have no training in the scientific area that you are writing about.
During Create-A-Thon, experts and other ComSciCon peers will review and evaluate Create-A-Thon pieces in small groups to receive feedback and discuss strengths and weaknesses of submitted media. Please be sure bring a laptop computer if your media requires one.
What are pop talks?
Pop talks are short, oral descriptions of your research or another scientific topic of interest. They should be engaging and accessible for an audience who may have a college education but no training in the scientific area that you are speaking on. You will give your pop talk live for your peers and science communication experts and get feedback on how to make your talk even stronger. You can sign-up to be considered for a pop-talk in the conference application.
When is the deadline to apply for ComSciCon Houston 2025?
The application deadline is February 22, 2026 at 11:59 PM. Applicants can expect to receive decisions on attendance by March 15 through an email that will be sent to the email address used to complete the application.
Am I expected to attend the whole conference?
Yes, you are expected to attend the entirety of the conference on Saturday, April 04. We expect the conference to start at 9 AM and continue until 6:15 PM.
Will I be able to park on the Rice University campus?
Yes, parking will be free for participants. Once attendance is confirmed, a parking validation will be given to all attendees.
Have additional questions? Please reach out to houston@comscicon.org for more info!
Application
Please access the application via the following link: https://forms.gle/GHyxhW2EfNMec3wv7
ComSciCon 