Science Communications

Fellow David Gonzalez reports on his experiences at the Switzer Spring Retreat Policy Communications Training and the UC Grad Research Advocacy Day.

Our communications training partner, COMPASS, has released an online version of the Message Box Workbook, designed to help you change the way you think and talk about your work.

Reducing the complexity of research on ocean ecosystems does not mean dumbing down your science, it means delivering science in a series of short chapters. If you can get the readers hooked, and don’t confuse them, you can tell a complex story. But that takes work and training that many scientists don’t have, writes Fellow Linwood Pendleton.

Many scientists fear repercussions from engaging around contentious subjects like climate change—anything from losing connections and opportunities, to jeopardizing their careers and credibility. But there are still productive conversations to be had, even in highly politicized environments. This interview by our communications training partner, COMPASS, provides insight into how to prepare to share science around politicized subjects.

Fellow Ryan Carle recently posted a request on our listserv for advice about crowdsourcing fundraising for conservation. Below is his original post and the responses he received from other Fellows. We are republishing them here because we thought the exchange might be useful to other Fellows in the future and invite you to add ideas or resources in the comments section.

A job in SciComm involves you communicating science, typically to laypeople but sometimes even to other scientists. Examples include formal science education in a classroom, informal education in a setting like a museum, outreach to various populations and science writing.