Yael Barel-Ben David, Ph.D. Student
I am a Ph.D. student in science communication, which is a newly formed field in Israel. I recently received my M.Sc. (2015, magna cum laude) on the characteristics of science news coverage in the Israeli media.
I received my B.Sc. in Biology and Philosophy from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem in 2010 and started my M.Sc. and TA appointment in the field of embryonic development in 2011. At the same time I also worked at the Bloomfield Science Museum in Jerusalem as a professional guide for visiting groups and afterwards a guide-instructor, supervisor and program developer at the museum.
During my work at the museum, I was exposed to the field of science communication for the first time and was charmed immediately. I came to acknowledge my interest in science education and science communication, realizing that I prefer these fields to practicing the scientific method itself. I decided to shift my interest to promoting science literacy in every platform I could reach, starting with the educational channel of public television in Israel.
My current research focuses on the question – Can ‘Filling the Void’ pose a potential alternative to declining science journalism? Namely, I concentrate on the way science communication training shapes scientists’ motivations, skills, attitudes and identity, looking at three distinct science communication training programs in Israel.
My research interests include science communication, science literacy and psychology. I volunteer at the EWB (Engineers without Borders) Technion branch and train a Seeing Eye dog. In my spare time I enjoy photography, hiking, extreme sports and a good movie.
Contact Details
yaelb[-at-]tx.technion.ac.il
Projects