Next week’s theme: mmixxx, mix, mix, and mingle! If you aim to connect with fellow SciComm buffs and advocates, you will have loads of opportunities at #ESA100. Of course, there’s the SciComm Section workshop, “Communicating Science Vividly.” We’re also curating a list of SciComm-related activities being held throughout the annual meeting. And on an informal note, there are a few SciComm-specific…
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…
Guest post by Elita Baldridge Part of being an effective science communicator is making certain that all of your audience is able to interact with your message. Taking into consideration conditions or disabilities that your audience or a fellow presenter might have helps to extend your reach while facilitating inclusion of those with chronic illness/disability. As an ecologist with a…
It’s that time of the year – time to get your brain into ESA Annual Meeting Mode. You’re furiously finishing that data analysis in prep for a talk or poster. You’re checking out the Conference Program and getting your schedule in order. You’re registering for the meeting and arranging meet-ups with colleagues and collaborators. How about adding science communication to…
In anticipation of the Baltimore meeting, we’re seeking volunteers for three SciComm efforts. 1. Help us staff the Science Communications Section booth in the exhibit hall (shared with the Education and Policy sections). Please email Clarisse Hart (hart3@nullfas.harvard.edu) with a 1-hour time slot you are willing to contribute during exhibit hours (Monday through Thursday 11am-1:30pm; 4-6:30 PM). 2. Are you interested in serving…
We’re delighted to confirm approval of a new ESA section devoted to Science Communication! Click here for complete details, including section by-laws. Three important dates to note (all taking place during the 2015 annual ESA meeting) are as follows:
Written & illustrated by Simon J. Brandl I love conferences. But, during every scientific symposium I experience moments that leave me in stupefied disbelief. Why? At any given scientific conference innocent scientists are exposed to abysmally bad presentations. Since I’m unaware of a law that requires great science to be presented in a mind-blowingly boring way, this post highlights key…
If you cruised through our SciComm resources and Multimedia SciComm Guide thinking, “Read that. Yep, read that. Read that, too…” here are a few more SciComm resources you can explore. Some are fairly recent, and some are ‘oldies but goodies.’
Today in the Hyatt hallway, I passed a colleague with an imposing nametag terraced by four colors of ribbon. He is an ESA donor, a moderator, and two other things I can’t recall (possibly a juggler). This year my nametag has a ribbon, too. It’s a regular reminder that even though scicomm workshop 15 is done, my duty to communicate…
Workshop participants hard at work turning science articles into story, drafting headlines & ledes #scicomm #ESA2014 pic.twitter.com/hruw0QrzuB — Dr. Holly Menninger (@DrHolly) August 10, 2014 This is a one-stop shop for the PowerPoint presentations, release forms, and other materials from our workshop. If you’re looking for something and don’t see it, just let us know. Presentations (click image to view):…
This resource guide is meant to inspire and empower – not only are there great examples, but we’ve provided practical advice about why, how, and when each media type can help you get your message across. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 International License. Please review the license terms before reproducing. Our instructors and contributors…
Thanks for joining the fun! We are very intentionally offering a ‘tapas’ style taster of different ways you could communicate your science, and there will be a strong emphasis on storytelling. We want you to walk away with a sense of the unique strengths of these different media for powering science communication, and to develop some sense of preference for what you might…
*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. INTERACTING WITH THE MEDIA Tips for dealing with reporters Tips for PR (public relations) writing Writing a Press Release: Death by Six-Shooter Peter Campbell, Public Information Officer – What does that Pete Campbell (of Mad…
*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. INTERVIEW PREP Fantastic interview prep tips from Michelle Nijhuis
*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. How do I make my communications look good if I’m not a designer? Article re free apps and online tools that make graphic design (much) easier. DATA VISUALIZATION New Imaging Tools Put…
*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…
*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. RESOURCES See the general scicomm resources page for tips and resources on writing about numbers and data, storytelling techniques, and a lot more. Science Writer’s Handbook + Pitch, Publish, Prosper blog Terms…
*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. TAKE MORE COMPELLING PHOTOS www.improvephotography.com National Geography photography tips Webinars from the American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP has a great blog, too!) – note that most webinars and articles focus on…
*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. GETTING STARTED: The “Self-Promotion” Dilemma Why researchers should interact with the public by Karen McKee, The Scientist Videographer, 24 June 2014. Making peace with self promotion by Liz Neeley, CompassBlogs, 30 May 2014….
Our workshop takes participants beyond why communicating science is important. We’re empowering ecologists to better communicate the stories of our science (including stories about the people doing the science) in creative, compelling and innovative ways. In order to do that, we’re working hard to spread the word about the workshop. One of our main outreach mechanisms is a series of…