Question 1

How does LeWiBo work?

Accepted Answer

Lecturers Without Borders (LeWiBo) connects scientists with schools around the world to deliver lectures, both in-person and online. As a scientist, you can volunteer to give a lecture, participate in webinars, or support other scientists' presentations. We handle the logistics, matching you with schools and helping you prepare if needed.

Initially, LeWiBo started as a network of scientists that use their travelling opportunities (e.g. to attend conferences, vacations, etc) to provide free lectures in schools all over the world. Since the COVID-19 pandemics, we’ve also started offering webinars (i.e. on-line seminars) in the form of either private lectures for a specific school or as “open events” where anyone who registers can attend. Our main aim is to bring science to schools and to inspire a new generation of young students.

In case you decide to join us, we will share with you a “toolkit for scientists”. This is a step-by-step guide on how to be a part of LeWiBo’s network to support you throughout the process and assure you have a fulfilling experience.

Question 2

What are the different modalities of participation between scientists and schools?

Accepted Answer

Scientists can participate in several ways: giving a lecture on their own, co-presenting with a colleague, providing scientific support to another scientist’s lecture (paired up by LeWiBo), or assisting a teacher’s regular lesson (e.g., participating in a Q&A session after a topic has been covered).

Question 3

How is LeWiBo different from other organisations, and how can I benefit from joining your network?

Accepted Answer

By registering as a lecturer,(https://lewibo.org/join-lewibo) you would not only have the possibility of contributing to the learning community around the world, but will also have the chance to meet other scientists with shared interests and enlarge your own professional network. We’ll help you broadcast your research and educational activities through our social media and other communication channels (such as, LeWiBo’S newsletter). Additionally, we will provide a participation certificate upon request.

Question 4

What are the requirements for becoming a lecturer?

Accepted Answer

During the registration (lewibo.org/join-lewibo)process, in addition to asking you about some basic personal and professional information, we will ask you to review our code of conduct,(lewibo.org/code_conduct) our child safeguarding policy (lewibo.org/child_safeguarding)and our diversity, equity and inclusion statement.(lewibo.org/dei_statement)

Please read those documents carefully and contact us if you have any questions about them. You will be required to abide by them at all times and you risk being excluded from LeWIBo activities if you violate those regulations.

Question 5

I am not a researcher but I have a background in STEM subjects and work as a STEM professional; can I register anyway?

Accepted Answer

Of course! Some of the lecturers in our network are not actively doing research anymore. If you have a background in STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics - and you think there's something you can share with students so they can better understand and develop an interest in these subjects, please register as a lecturer.(https://lewibo.org/join-lewibo)

Also, please note that presenting students with examples of people who work on areas other than (academic) research is also contributing to giving them a broader view of "what a scientist does" and therefore can be very useful!

Question 6

How do I add a webinar to your catalogue?

Accepted Answer

We have a special form to fill in order to propose a webinar for our catalogue,(https://lewibo.org/webinar-catalogue) which is available to our registered scientists through their Lecturer Toolkit. Please note, only registered scientists can propose webinars, so please join our network first!(https://lewibo.org/join-lewibo)

In order to submit a webinar, we will ask you for a title for it (as you would like the schools to see it!), a short description and the recommended age of the targeted students. You can submit as many webinars as you choose!

Please note that adding a webinar to our catalogue does not mean that you will be obliged to give it anytime soon, it just means schools will be able to know about it and request it if they find it suitable for their curriculum. We will receive and process anythe requests we get from schools and check if you are available and willing to participate. We will respect your schedule - and accept without further questions if your answer is no.

Also, the format of the webinar would be adapted to your preference (e.g. a 30' talk followed by questions or a much shorter talk followed by a long Q&A session with free questions about "life a scientist").

Question 7

Do my webinars/lectures have to be in English or can I choose to give them in my native language instead?

Accepted Answer

Although the language we use for communicating with scientists is English, your webinars or lectures do not necessarily have to be in that language. If you feel more comfortable giving lectures in your native language and/or in any other language, you can tell us which languages you'd prefer to use when you fill out the form to register as a lecturer!(https://lewibo.org/join-lewibo)

Many of the students we organise lectures for are not fluent in English, so we try to offer as many options as possible! Also, showing them examples of scientists who speak their own language (and maybe come from their own country or even town) is another way of fighting stereotypes of who can be a scientist!

Question 8

Are the lectures/webinars recorded?

Accepted Answer

In-person lectures are rarely recorded, but schools can request permission to record a lecture for their own archives. This will always be done only with the lecturer's consent, and you are free to choose whether you allow the school to share that recording (e.g. on social media) or not.

When it comes to webinars, some of them may be recorded and/or made available on our YouTube channel, but only with the consent of both the lecturer and participants. We will inform you in advance and ensure that all privacy guidelines are followed.

Question 9

What is the level of the lecture/webinar I need to prepare?

Accepted Answer

Our lectures are generally intended for middle and secondary school students, but you will be informed of the specific age group when you are matched with a school. We encourage you to tailor your content to the appropriate level, and we'd be happy to help you do so if you need our help!

Moreover, our Lecturer Toolkit (which you'll receive upon registration) contains many resources to help you.

Question 10

I have never done any outreach activities, can I still give a lecture in a school?

Accepted Answer

Of course you can! We'd be glad to help you make this an amazing first experience. We will put you in touch with other scientists that can share their experience with you, support you with materials and workshops and, if you prefer that we assist you in preparing your presentation, we can even do that.

If you prefer, instead, to give it a try on your own, we will also provide you with feedback after your presentation, in order to help you improve for future editions!

Our team is here to support you!

Question 11

Are there ways to contribute to the network other than giving lectures?

Accepted Answer

Sure! The most important thing you can do for us is to spread the word to other people that may want to join our network. You can find a few resources to help us here,(http://lewibo.org/support_us) along with a way to provide financial contributions, if you choose to contribute in this way.

Also, we might occasionally need help with the curation of material and/or other forms of scientific support. All support will be voluntary and optional, of course!

Question 12

Do I get a certificate for my participation in LeWiBo activities?

Accepted Answer

Yes, LeWiBo provides certificates of participation to lecturers who contribute to our activities. Since our lecturer's work is volunteer, these certificates can be used to acknowledge your involvement in outreach and educational efforts.

Question 13

In which other ways can I contribute to LeWiBo's mission?

Accepted Answer

There are several ways to help us:

• Spread the word: The most valuable way you can support us is by telling others who may wish to join our network! Follow us on social media, share our posts, and help broadcast our cause.
 • Donate: if your institution has funds allocated for these types of activities and you wish to do so, we gladly welcome voluntary contributions through our website.(https://www.lewibo.org/support-us) While LeWiBo operates primarily through volunteer efforts, these donations help sustain the core structure of the organisation and ensure we can continue our work.  
 • Collaborate: If you have an idea for a partnership (for example, if you know or are part of other initiatives that share our mission), reach out to us (mailto:info@lewibo.org)to explore collaboration opportunities.

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