Improving Science Communication Through Scenario-Based Role-Plays
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Transcript of Improving Science Communication Through Scenario-Based Role-Plays
Improving Science Communication
Through Scenario-Based Role-PlaysDr Erik Brogt & Dr Jacqueline Dohaney
Who are we?Multi-disciplinary Research Team
Erik Brogt, Jacqueline Dohaney, Tom Wilson, Mark Quigley, Ben Kennedy, Brendon Bradley – University of Canterbury
Emma Hudson-Doyle, David Johnston – MasseyJan Lindsay – University of Auckland
Educational researchers, Geologists, Engineers, Risk Communication and Hazard researchers
Improving Communication Skills
Graduates have poor communication skills Communication not embedded systematically or
explicitly in tertiary science / engineering curricula Poorly constrained communication best practices Poorly constrained communication performance
measures
Disaster context – Crucial skill needed in times of crisis and business-as-usual. Expectations from the public and policy-makers that scientists must communicate well.
Responding to an event
Seismologists and GeologistsWill this lead to a
future Alpine Fault EQ?
Civil Defence Emergency
ManagementHow can we
prepare/prime society?
MediaWhat does this
mean? PublicWhat should I do to be ‘safe’
BusinessWhat should we
do to survive, and thrive?
What variables contribute to communication?
Communication Performance
Perceived Communication
Competence
Scientific Content
Knowledge
Perceptions of Science
Communication
Communication Experience
How can we assess communication performance?
Proxies for performance (i.e., variables to explore...)
Communication Competence (i.e., confidence)Communication ExperiencePerceptions of Science CommunicationEarthquake Content Knowledge
Measures (Self-reported questionnaires)-> Competence Survey (SPCC; validated)-> Experience & Perceptions Surveys (created for this study)-> Earthquake scenario pre-post interview
(Actual) Communication PerformanceObservations and in-class performances (i.e., press
conferences, interviews, media statements)Pre-post communication interviews (videotaped)
Scored with validated rubric (2PS)
How can we assess communication performance?
Why Scenario-Based Role-Plays?
Real-time feedback, authentic, active Flexible: pace, scaffolding and difficulty can be
adjusted on the fly Complexity and cognitive load under the control of
facilitators Can serve different target audiences
Previously designed and tested SBRP: Volcanic Hazards Simulation
Established method in other fields (e.g. business, medical sciences, military)
Scenario
Learning Goals
Explain and communicate (in plain speak) the geology of a given earthquake event.
Predict, list and describe impacts to infrastructure and society from a large earthquake near Greymouth NZ.
Propose appropriate recommendations to the public before, during and after an earthquake event
Compose and deliver multiple formats and styles of communications and to diverse stakeholders.
Effectively communicate the scientific uncertainties associated with an ongoing earthquake event and the likelihood of a future earthquake event.
Communicate effectively in all scenarios. Criteria for effectiveness includes information which is organised, accurate, relevant, readily understood and delivery which is competent and culturally inclusive.
Learning Goals
Customized GIS-based tools & datasets
Perceived Benefits:Providing experience and feedback to learners
Learners’ confidence with communicating improves
Multiple opportunities to watch and participate in authentic communication styles, formats, and contexts– Interviews, Team discussions, Press conferences– Participants will have a higher confidence with science
communication
Quality of communication increases– Appropriate to stakeholders information needs– Appropriate to stakeholders’ backgrounds– Transparency of decision-making
Project Outcomes
Robust science communication measuresFlexible curricular design with can be used in
different contexts, with different users
Progress to date
Learning goals discussed with instructors and defined Basic version of simulation developed Tested in four iterations (to different groups of
students, and instructors) Communication proxies in development Two international conference presentations given as
well as several international research talks
Next steps
Data analysis of the first version of the simulation underway
Data gathering for research purposes in the next few months