SPONSORED WORKSHOP
A primer on quantum science and journalism
As quantum science and technology move from theoretical promise to transformative real-world applications, journalists are increasingly tasked with covering stories that are both groundbreaking and conceptually challenging. This workshop is designed for reporters who want to build a clear understanding of quantum concepts, explore current breakthroughs, and grasp the broader societal and policy implications of quantum technologies.
Two leading researchers from South Africa will offer accessible explanations of key quantum technologies—from next-generation computing to secure quantum communication—highlighting both the global state of the art and emerging developments across Africa. Joining them will be a veteran science journalist who has covered quantum research for years. He will share insights on how to evaluate claims, identify hype, and communicate nuance with clarity and accuracy.
Whether your beat is science, technology, policy, or business, this workshop will give you the knowledge and confidence to report on one of the fastest-evolving frontiers in science today.
This is an official International Year of Quantum 2025 event. To promote global collaboration and address critical challenges in science and technology, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ) on 7 June 2024, under the leadership of UNESCO. This initiative aims to foster international partnerships, with a special focus on building capacity in the Global South, advancing gender equality in STEM fields, and tackling the growing quantum divide. The IYQ highlights the transformative potential of quantum science and its role in shaping a more inclusive and connected world. For more information, visit quantum2025.org
Isaac NapeSpeaker | University of the Witwatersrand | South Africa
Dr Isaac Nape is a senior lecturer in the School of Physics at the University of the Witwatersrand. His research spans classical and quantum optics, focusing on applications in computing, communication, and imaging. As the Wits–IBM Liaison, Dr Nape promotes quantum computing through the Wits Quantum Initiative (WitsQ) and the South African Quantum Technologies initiative (SAQuTI). He is dedicated to advancing South Africa’s quantum-technology ecosystem while mentoring the next generation of scientists and innovators.
Yaseera IsmailSpeaker | Stellenbosch University | South Africa
Dr Yaseera Ismail specialises in the development of quantum technologies, particularly in the field of quantum information science. She is an experimentalist developing quantum optical tools for the advancement of free-space, long-range secure quantum communication. Her most recent research initiatives led to the establishment of the first quantum satellite link in the Southern Hemisphere and the longest intercontinental secure quantum link, spanning 12900 km between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
Davide CastelvecchiSpeaker | Nature | United Kingdom
Davide Castelvecchi is a senior reporter at Nature and has covered physics, astronomy and mathematics for two decades. As a journalist at Nature since 2012, he has had the good fortune of having a front-row seat for the discovery of gravitational waves. He was previously a staff reporter at Science News, a features editor at Scientific American and a freelance writer and editor for several other publications.
Matteo RiniSession Proposer | APS Physics Magazine | United States
Matteo Rini is the Editor of Physics Magazine (American Physical Society) and a Professor of Science Writing and Communication at New York University. A former physicist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, he has dedicated his career to communicating physics to diverse audiences—from policymakers to science enthusiasts—through a wide range of storytelling formats.