At 27, Petr Lebedev is staking out terrain as the next generation of specialist science communicator. He’s a researcher and writer with YouTube science channel Veritasium and has shared his knowledge with audiences on podcasts, radio and social media, as well as on stages and in classrooms.

Thanks to the thriving beehives at Australia’s Parliament House and surrounding foreign embassies, local and international communities are learning that you can take positive action for the environment and thoroughly enjoy it.

As a behavioural scientist, Vanessa Hill understands what makes us tick. But her choice to communicate that knowledge through video developed quite organically.

How can science communicators rise above the noise and connect with large audiences on social media? For Maynard Okereke, founder of Hip Hop Scientist, forging a better connection between science and the arts is key.

Dr Anika Molesworth is here to do something about climate change. Using the twin superpowers of science and storytelling to communicate the truth about the threat – in particular, to the food system and agriculture – she wants to inspire action and hope where, sometimes, the field seems barren.

We regularly see mainstream media shows dedicated to political humour, but how often do you see science comedians? For the last decade primatologist, actor, producer, writer, host and comedian Natalia Reagan has been working to change that. “Comedy is the perfect opportunity to democratise science, kind of like what Jon Stewart has done for politics. He brought American politics to the mainstream – that’s what I want to do with science,” says Reagan.

These smart and sometimes surprising innovations from South Korea span futuristic entertainment to cutting-edge healthcare.

Each year, 167 billion disposable nappies are made, used and thrown away. Such is their impact, that in countries such as Vanuatu, disposable nappies make up 30% all of their waste. Rather than letting them accumulate in landfill and our oceans, what if a soiled nappy could be fully compostable? What if the poo could become a source of fuel? What if nappies could become a source of income, rather than a household expense? Eco-nappy entrepreneurs Jason and Kim Graham-Nye are working to make that a reality.

Dr Karl Kruszelnicki has always brought the wonder. A science-popularising pioneer with global clout, colourful shirts and a devoted audience, he’s received major accolades in recognition of his capacity to talk science to everyone, including the first (and only) Julius Sumner Miller Fellowship at the University of Sydney and an Ig Nobel Prize from Harvard University for his research into belly-button fluff.