98th ESA Annual Meeting (August 4 -- 9, 2013)

August 03 - 09, 2013

WK 29

Scientists’ Got Talent: America’s Next Top Science Communicator

During its American broadcast run, Planet Earth became the most watched cable event of all time, a powerful indicator that although scientific literacy rates among Americans are alarmingly low, the public responds with interest to communication efforts by scientists. But as Anthony Dudo wrote recently in the journal Science Communication, “Scientists…are trained to produce innovative research, not to be facile talking heads.” It’s rare to find a successful science communicator who has not completed some specialized communication training, done a lot of thinking about how and what they want to communicate, and experimented with different techniques. This workshop will explore a variety of techniques used by a panel of seasoned scientists who have made the leap into the leading edge of science communication. Participants will learn about how to communicate science through live storytelling, video and interactive formats; how to use design thinking in communicating science; and how to talk to policy-makers and the general public. Following the panel discussion, attendants will have the opportunity to give a practice presentation to the panelists and other group participants, who will serve as “judges”, giving constructive feedback on presentations and tips for how to improve them.