Dr Tom Carruthers

Dr Tom J Carruthers is a science communicator, thinker and creative based in Canberra. He advocates for diversity and equity, the need for science engagement that goes beyond scientific literacy, and to increase the community’s value of specialist expertise across all sectors. He calls for better recognition of science communication research learnings within the practice, and an appreciation of science communication expertise in government and the broader community. Tom is the former Strategist and Operations Manager in the communications team at the Australian Academy of Science, where he led campaigns and messaging on critical topics such as COVID-19, climate change, and gender equity. He is the former co-CEO of Pint of Science, where he established a national peer-mentoring and training model that has been supporting the STEM engagement sector in Australia for the past six years. Currently he works with Ogilvy PR, a consulting agency working with businesses to communicate and strengthen their ESG policies, initiatives and communications. He holds a PhD in biological chemistry (ANU), a Master’s in science communication outreach (ANU), and has experience working in the Australian university, government, not-for-profit and private sectors. He is the current co-president of the Australian Science Communicators and a member of the committee for the World Organisation for Science Literacy.