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Cross-post: I don’t usually post selfies, but that’s about to change. OR, some things #scientistswhoselfie and #sketchyourscience have in common.

In the spirit of expanding the reach and of science communication and engagement conversations happening within and beyond the Communications and Engagement Section, we are going to start re-posting and cross-posting content from C&E Section members. If you would like to have one of your projects or blog posts featured in this series, contact us! Meanwhile, here’s a cross-post from…

#Sketchyourscience a hit at #ESA100…so what?

#sketchyourscience at #ESA100 settled it. This will be an #ESASciComm tradition for years to come! pic.twitter.com/Ta8YIVo5BZ — B.G. Merkle talkin’ abt Hard Things 😷✊🏽 (@commnatural) August 17, 2015 At ESA’s annual conference/meeting (#ESA100) our section had a booth at which we encouraged folks to sketch their science. We were blown away by how many people enthusiastically did so.

Drawn to Ecology: How sketch notes can enhance your science experience

Enhance your sketching toolkit at the #ESA100 “Communicating Science Vividly” workshop! Guest post by Bethann Garramon Merkle Everyone can sketch – even you. Sketching in the field to complement data collection? #doodling4science #outofthebox #scicomm #ESA2014 #pinkjuniper pic.twitter.com/VxEzvMpGbn — Dr. Pika Jo Varner (@johannavarner) August 10, 2014 Researchers have demonstrated that drawing (even without training) can: aid learning & memorization help clarify what…

#SketchYourScience takes off after ESA 2014 workshop

It’s happening! Multimedia SciComm is catching on, and our workshop participants are chief vectors for distributing the bug. Our last post was about Johanna Varner and the research she does on pikas. Inspired by Johanna’s own sketches, produced during our workshop, the Pikas on Ice post featured some delightful pika sketches by Jennifer Landin. Pikas on Ice! http://t.co/8awa46SayY Nice Ecotone…

#ESA2017 Recap: ESA wants your feedback, loads of #SciComm activities, #SciArt, meetings & more

A lot of great opportunities came up during #ESA2017. These include the Section identifying several volunteer positions and opportunities, looking ahead to #ESA2018 (help us plan and collaborate for next year!), developments in our governance and long-range planning (see our About page for updates), and new officers (meet them here)! You can stay up to date on these topics and…

#MySciComm: Bethann Garramon Merkle on merging art and science to enhance scicomm

This week, Bethann Garramon Merkle responds to the #MySciComm questions! Bethann is an artist, writer, instructor, editor, and consultant who blends visual storytelling and science communication. She’s also a SciComm Section co-founder, the section chair-elect, and our webmaster. She is passionate about a) integrating drawing into education, research, and communication efforts, and b) the role stories play in shaping public…

Resources: Sketching + beyond

*This list is dynamic, and in-development. Feel free to make suggestions (use the comments section or contact us directly) re additional resources and great examples that should be included. INSPIRATION Guild of Natural Science Illustrators (link to Facebook page) Nocturnal wonders: looking closely at moths New species at risk book written in indigenous languages by GNWT departments of Environment and Natural Resources and…

2021 Annual Meeting

#ESA2021 went virtual, too. #ESA2021 was fully virtual, according to this announcement from ESA.  Whether online or in-person, we are committed to centering inclusion and underrepresented voices in the programming the C&E Section contributes to at the annual meeting and always. Please contact us directly (or anonymously through our website contact form) if you have anything you’d like us to…

2020 Annual Meeting

#ESA2020 has gone virtual. #ESA2020 will be fully virtual, according to this announcement/FAQ doc from ESA. If you’re debating about registering and attending, this discussion on Dynamic Ecology may provide some considerations. The deadline for dropping a talk at ESA 2020 was June 4th. Have suggestions for making ESA more engaging through a virtual platform? Please contribute to the list…

2019 Annual Meeting

#ESA2019 Discussions around the 2019 annual meeting (#ESA2019) brought numerous, important issues to the fore of ESA governance. Your C&E officers participated in several ways, including 1) serving on an ad hoc committee convened immediately after ESA 2018 by 2019 Meeting Chair, Ryan McEwan (aims to use ESA 2019 to inform long-term policy recommendations for future meetings), 2) joining the ad hoc…

#MySciComm: Johanna Varner on the personal interactions that make a big difference

This week, Johanna “Pika Jo” Varner responds to the #MySciComm questions! We’re thrilled to share her story with you, not least because she was the originator and on-going inspiration for our annual #SketchYourScience activity at the C&E Section booth at annual meetings.   Johanna Varner is an ecologist who studies how climate change affects pikas, small mammals closely related to rabbits….

Annual Meeting

#ESA2021 has gone virtual. #ESA2021 will be fully virtual, according to this announcement from ESA.  Whether online or in-person, we are committed to centering inclusion and underrepresented voices in the programming the C&E Section contributes to at the annual meeting and always. Please contact us directly (or anonymously through our website contact form) if you have anything you’d like us…

Resource of the Week: 10 (ten) simple rules for drawing scientific comics

Excerpt from the paper Ten simple rules for drawing scientific comics: There are few scientists who haven’t heard of Randall Munroe, the artist behind the web comic “xkcd,” which features amazing graphic explanations on everything from climate change to data storage. These comics are widely appealing to a diverse audience and are posted on walls in laboratories and pubs alike. The ideas…

ESA 2018 Wrap-Up

Wowza, ESA 2018 was epic! There were nearly 40 sessions that related to communication and engagement, careers, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Your C&E Section officers led, co-organized, or presented in 10 sessions, and section members were active in several more. We also led an invited workshop for ESA’s first career fair, held as part of the annual meeting. And,…

Prepping for Social Media at #ESA2018: Tips & links to ESA policies, ok/not-ok icons, and more

  Like we did last year, we’re sharing some tips for using and doing social media for #scicomm and #sciengage efforts at #ESA2018. The conference launches the first weekend of August, and the official hashtag is #ESA2018. Use #ESASciComm and/or #EngageESA if you’re joining/tracking along with the Communication & Engagement Section and discussions, sessions, and more on C&E topics. ESA 2018 annual meeting…

Resource of the Week: Is there any evidence linking creativity and mood disorders

Image: screenshot from the article “The Romantic stereotype that creativity is enhanced by a mood disorder is dangerous, and dissolves under careful scrutiny.” from @aeonmag As we’ve recently shared, stereotypes about who is or can be a scientist, who is or can be an artist, and how stereotypes of creativity play into these identities can be problematic. That’s why Christa…

2017 Annual Meeting

Sessions hosted by the ESA SciComm Section workshops; live storytelling session & discussion; “Ask A Pro” mentoring meet-ups; #SketchYourScience; business meeting & meet-up — details below. 1. Workshop: Improv Your Science: building skills for effective communication Monday, August 7, 10:15-11:30 am OCC room C123 Start the Annual Meeting off right and join in on a fun and interactive session. We will focus…

Prepping for #ESA 2017? Handy tips & links re social media #scicomm (tips, ESA policies, plus ok/not ok icons)

We thought we’d share a couple of handy notes re social media #scicomm at #ESA2017 next week, starting with the ESA social media policy for this year’s conference. The official hashtag is #ESA2017). Use #ESASciComm if you’re joining/tracking along with the SciComm Section. #ESA2017 Social Media Policy Highlights: NO photo, video, or audio recordings during scientific sessions (talks and posters) unless you are…

#ESA2017 SciComm activities (a long list)

Of course, the SciComm Section is hosting sessions! We have 2 workshops, 2 storytelling sessions, 3 mixers, a business meeting/meet-up, and #SketchYourScience all lined up! We’re especially excited about the following: If you’re looking for even more SciComm at the conference, quite a few sessions caught our attention. SciComm-related sessions are listed on our website, here, according to type: Social/Business, Workshops, Ignites,…