AI-driven personalised medicine holds transformative potential for healthcare, yet African communities are often underrepresented, misrepresented, or excluded from both data and narratives. Models trained primarily on non-African datasets frequently oversell the applicability and precision of personalised medicine, creating risks of misinformation, unrealistic expectations and inequitable outcomes. Without careful framing, AIʼs promise can inadvertently amplify existing disparities rather than reduce them.

Culturally aware science communication is critical to addressing these gaps. By translating complex research into accessible, context-sensitive insights, it ensures that communities understand both the opportunities and the limitations of personalised medicine. Skilled communication adds nuance, clarifying what data can and cannot reveal, highlighting ethical considerations and situating findings within the lived realities of the populations affected. This approach safeguards communities from harm while fostering trust and accountability in research and healthcare.

Beyond translation, science communication shapes broader discourse around AI and genomics by reclaiming narratives about African genetic data, challenging assumptions embedded in global models and promoting equitable representation in research agendas. This talk addresses how culturally aware science communication can protect African communities, add nuance to AI-driven personalised medicine, and reclaim ethical narratives in genomics.

Date: Thursday, 12 March 2026 
Time: 13:00 - 14:00 SAST 
Venue: Online via MS Teams | Register Here

 

Meet Our Speaker:

Erin Kinghorn is a science communicator and research communications officer specializing in African genomics, personalized medicine, and ethical, culturally aware communication. With a background in human genetics and hands-on experience in rare disease research, variant interpretation, and ancestry-informed genomics, she translates complex scientific concepts into clear, accessible, and context-rich narratives. Her work integrates strategic communication, evidence-based messaging, and creative storytelling to bridge the gap between researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and the public.