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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!
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 a t-shirt.
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 March 1, 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 05. 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 