Introduction to Strategic Science Communication
Date/Time: April 12, 2024 | 10:00 am PDT – 1:00 pm PDT
Good communicators are made, not born. Through training, practice, and feedback, we can all make progress on our personal journeys to becoming more strategic and effective communicators. Grounded in science communication research and practice, this interactive virtual workshop is an opportunity to practice communicating strategically about something that matters to you.
Over the course of three hours, COMPASS trainers guide you through techniques and tools that help you prepare for strategic communication, then support you as you apply what you’ve learned through facilitated group discussions and activities, including practice sessions with other participants in breakout rooms.
By the end of the workshop, you will have:
- A stronger understanding of the science behind science communication
- Experience using the Message Box, COMPASS’s signature tool for breaking down complex topics into digestible, effective messages
- A draft COMPASS Message Box of your own, on a topic of your choosing
- Feedback on your draft messages from peers
By registering for this workshop, you are agreeing to use a webcam during discussion and breakout room portions of the workshop. Please also commit to actively participating for the benefit of yourself and the group. Due to the progression of materials presented and the paired exercises, we cannot admit participants who are more than 15 minutes late. More information can be found in the FAQ section below.
Who could benefit from this workshop?
This workshop is open to anyone who would like to build their strategic science communication skills. Becoming a better communicator is a practice, not a destination; wherever you are on your journey, this workshop will provide you with an opportunity to practice communicating strategically about science topics that matter to you.
Technology
The workshop will be held on the video conferencing platform Zoom. If you are unfamiliar with the platform, this one-minute video explains how to join a meeting. You will need a webcam, microphone, and stable internet connection. Recommended upload/download speed is 5Mbps/5Mbps. Test your internet speed here by clicking “run speed test.” This workshop will also incorporate the browser-based whiteboard program called MURAL.