5 Steps to Successful Science CommunicationKatie Yurkewicz
Head of Scientific & Technical CommunicationsArgonne National Laboratory
JINA Horizons Junior Workshop - November 30, 2020
Five Steps to Better Science Communication
Identify your goal
Know your audience
Tailor, focus, simplify
Connect and engage
Get (& use!) feedback
Step 1: Identify your goal
Goal Audience Tailor Connect Feedback
What do you want to accomplish?
Is there a specific outcome you’re looking for?
Do you want the audience to take a specific action?
Examples
Goal Audience Tailor Connect Feedback
Public lecture: Convey excitement about your field of study such that audience members talk about it to their friends and family afterward
Course lecture: Explain a new concept in detail so that students can apply the concept in homework
Press release: Pique the interest of reporters so that they follow up to learn more/arrange an interview
Step 2: Know your audience
How many people?
What age range?
What background do they have in science (if any)?
How much of their dedicated attention will you have?
What do they want/need from you?
What may they bring to the interaction?
Goal Audience Tailor Connect Feedback
Step 3: Tailor, focus and simplify your content
Tailor based on your audience Length
Content vs. Q&A
Structure
Language
Scientific detail
Focus on the goal
Simplify!
Goal Audience Tailor Connect Feedback
Cartoon © Chris Lysy
Connect and engage
What is the impact?
Why does it matter?
Why should they care?
Goal Audience Simplify Connect Feedback
Connect and engage
Presentations Make a connection
Eye contact
Physical movement
Use pointers sparingly
Use slides sparingly
Ask questions
Be inclusive
Speak up
Be enthusiastic
Stick to your time
Goal Audience Simplify Connect Feedback
Illustration © Chris Kelly
Get feedback –and use it!
Communication is a skill that gets better with practice
There is almost always a way to get feedback
Goal Audience Simplify Connect Feedback
Top Related