eLife is pleased to announce the launch of its new podcast, Community Voices, the first episode of which is available to listen to now.
Complementing the already established eLife podcast, which focuses on discussing recent research, Community Voices shines a light on the people behind the research. Each episode will consist of interviews with academics from all walks of life, as they provide insights into their journeys that have shaped their careers.
“It is our hope that the podcast will be a source of inspiration and assurance for the wider research community, showing people that they are not alone in their experiences even though they may come from very different backgrounds, and even possibly helping them find support,” says Godwyns Onwuchekwa, eLife Head of Communities.
eLife is dedicated to reforming research communication in part by improving research culture. As the organisation works towards this goal, it recognises a need to be versatile in curating a narrative that reflects the reality of working life as a researcher.
“We are always looking for new ways to highlight the enormous passion and commitment of the many researchers we work with, and engage them in telling their stories,” says Onwuchekwa. “Each researcher has a different story, including the challenges and opportunities they’ve faced in pursuit of their goals. Their dedication to their work and appetite for sharing these experiences are the inspiration behind the Community Voices podcast.”
The podcast is aimed at anyone interested in hearing about the working and personal lives of researchers around the world. Those who tune in will hear researchers speaking about their work and how their life experiences have shaped them as individuals and influenced their careers.
In the inaugural episode, eLife speaks to Emmanuel Boakye, an eLife Community Ambassador who launched the African Reproducibility Network (AREN) to equip African researchers with the necessary tools to dive into the global open science arena. Boakye explains more about AREN, his motivations for setting it up and the challenges he faced, the importance of training and community building, and his passions outside of work.
The first episode of the new Community Voices podcast is available to listen to on eLife’s website and on Podbean. The podcast will also appear on other streaming services, including Spotify, Apple and Google, soon. Future episodes will be released on a bi-monthly basis.
“I’m delighted to see the Community Voices podcast come to light, representing another large step in our efforts to promote greater inclusion and diversity in science,” says Damian Pattinson, eLife Executive Director. “I hope this project will lead to a wider understanding of all that goes into the making of a scientist – the dreams and aspirations, the systemic or personal challenges faced, and the sacrifices and accomplishments made along the way.”
Media contacts
Emily Packer
eLife
e.packer@elifesciences.org
+441223855373George Litchfield
eLife
g.litchfield@elifesciences.org
About
eLife transforms research communication to create a future where a diverse, global community of scientists and researchers produces open and trusted results for the benefit of all. Independent, not-for-profit and supported by funders, we improve the way science is practised and shared. From the research we publish, to the tools we build, to the people we work with, we’ve earned a reputation for quality, integrity and the flexibility to bring about real change. eLife receives financial support and strategic guidance from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, the Max Planck Society and Wellcome. Learn more at https://elifesciences.org/about.
