Interview with Lee Constable

Position: Many! MC, Freelance TV & Online Presenter Factual Entertainer, Combining Science, Society, Sustainability and the Arts 

Organisation: Freelance TV & Online Presenter 

One-liner: A multi-media science storyteller and arts advocate! 

The benefit from what we are learning, not only about the virus and the pandemic, but about the behaviour and experiences of humanity, can definitely benefit our ability to respond to future global challenges.

What, in your opinion, is the future for science and art – what is the potential of this field?  

Grace, Kirwan SHS, Townsville 

The potential for science and art working together is limitless! We can express and communicate art through science and science through art as well as break down stereotypes, and think and work creatively by combining science and arts. I hope in the future there will be more career pathways that encourage people to nurture and use both their scientific and artistic skills! 

Should art be a part of STEMM (STEAMM) and why/why not?  

Grace, Kirwan SHS, Townsville 

To me this isn’t about either including or excluding art. There are overlaps between every field in the STEAMM acronym (science, technology, engineering, art, math and medicine). When it comes to using acronyms like STEM or STEAMM (or any other variations) I think you should use them when they are actually applicable to the situation and the context. If you mean math then say ‘math’, if you mean science and tech then say ‘science and tech’, but if you are referring to all these fields (and not just some of them) then use the acronym that reflects that! I think using acronyms with purpose when they apply and trying not to use them for situations when they don’t apply means that they can remain relevant and useful.  

Can you tell us more about your first book, ‘How to Save the Whole Stinkin’ Planet’ (Penguin)? And why would you recommend the youth audience to read it?  

Lauren, Southport SHS, Gold Coast 

‘How to Save the Whole Stinkin’ Planet’ is a story that takes the reader on an adventure to become a Waste Warrior, led by garbologist (garbage scientist), superhero, Captain Garbology. Throughout the book you go on the different journeys waste can take, learn about the 101 science and foul facts, do hands on activities, and most importantly have fun!
I’d recommend it to people who are looking for ways to learn more about the big stinkin’ problems and how you can be part of making a difference. While it was written for a younger audience, the adults in their lives enjoy and learn from it too. 

Was it difficult to make time for both your job and your studies?  

Elsie, Western Cape College 

Balancing work and studies can be difficult! I had to be careful while I was studying to balance how many hours I was working. My jobs, while I was at university, were usually casual and part-time. Apart from work and study though, it’s also important to make time for fun and relaxation and spending time with people you love! 

What strategies do you use to help educate different ages about STEM?

Grace, Moranbah SHS 

I like to remember that no matter what age someone is, nobody likes to be talked down to. When talking to any audience about STEM (or any other topic for that matter) I think it’s important to ask them questions and listen to them, as much as it is to speak yourself. Two-way communication and finding out about your audience – at any age – is important for figuring out what they know and care about, so you can suit your strategy to them. 

How do you see justice and sustainability fit together to manage the climate crisis?   

STEM Girl Power 

The climate crisis is something that is caused by and also exacerbates lots of different types of social and economic inequity. When we talk about sustainability we often think of environmental sustainability but true sustainability includes environmental, social and economic sustainability. In a nutshell – we won’t be able to address the climate crisis unless we include everyone’s needs -and that means seeing climate as a justice and equity issue as well because it’s not just an environmental or economic problem.

What innovative ways can we all use to explain science in a way that engages others?

STEM Girl Power 

Knowing your audience is number one no matter who you are trying to engage and on what topic. Start with figuring out who your audience is specifically, and what they like and dislike. It is good to work out what they might already know or think about the topic. Going through this process always opens my mind to new and exciting ways I can engage them in science – it might surprise you what you come up with by putting your audience first! 

Do you believe the research being undertaken for COVID-19 will benefit other fields of science and how?

Grace, Kirwan SHS, Townsville 

Research that has resulted from the pandemic spans beyond virology (the study of viruses) and immunology and into fields like public health, communications, and social sciences. The benefit from what we are learning, not only about the virus and the pandemic but about the behaviour and experiences of humanity, can definitely benefit our ability to respond to future global challenges. For example, it is improving our ability to communicate with people about their health. 

What aspects of hosting your show did you enjoy the most – researching, presenting, editing, or producing?

STEM Girl Power 

For me, nothing compares to talking to people, whether that is being on the phone with a scientist while doing research for a script, interviewing an expert on camera, or simply speaking with researchers off-camera about their work. My favourite aspect of hosting Scope was getting to meet and gain an appreciation of so many different people from different fields and workplaces – all doing exciting things with STEM! To have the privilege of helping them tell that story to others was an honour. 

Bio

Lee is a freelance TV+digital presenter and producer with a focus on science, technology, society, climate crisis, justice and sustainability, and the intersection between these topics. As a factual presenter, live streamer and multimedia creative she is always looking for opportunities to reach new audiences in innovative ways. 

You probably know Lee’s face as the popular host of Australian national science and tech TV show, Scope, which ran from 2016-2020. Lee was heavily involved in researching, writing, presenting, field producing and offline editing – as well as hosting over 150 episodes on themes that span the STEMM spectrum. Her go to moves are using humour, curiosity and relatability to engage the younger audience.  

Lee also founded the youth-run social justice and sustainability radio show, SoapBox and was the host and producer of this show for 18 months. She is also the founder of Co-Lab: Science Meets Street Art where scientists and street artists collaborate to create research-inspired murals live for the public. In 2018, Lee was on board the largest ever all-female expedition to Antarctica with 80 international women in STEMM as part of the Homeward Bound leadership program. In 2019 she published my first book, ‘How to Save the Whole Stinkin’ Planet’ (Penguin) which continues to engage parents, teachers and young people in solving huge problems by being everyday heroes.  

In the future, Lee hopes to use her multi-media experience and multidisciplinary background in both science and humanities to present and produce content that not only tells the stories of science and tech research but interweaves societal influences and implications relating to topics such as sustainability, gender, culture, identity and politics.