2024 Summer Zoom Course
Effective and Engaging Scientific Communication Practices
Scientists’ ability to secure funding, work with collaborators, influence policy and educate both their peers and the public depends on their ability to communicate their work in ways that are both effective and engaging. This short 6 wk course teaches two powerful tools that will help them do that. The first, Storyform, is a method that uses the principles of story to design engaging presentations. The second, integrated visualization, employs artist’s techniques to increase audience understanding. Course participants learn these tools by using them in the creation of three research communication products: a 3-min talk, a Storygraphic, and a 10-min peer talk with slides.
The course is delivered through Zoom via short lectures, large group discussions, and small group breakout sessions - for presentation and critique. Topics for each of the 6 weeks are shown below; each session will run approximately 3 hours. Instructors will also be available to participants via email during the course.
The Summer Course will take place at 1-4pm from July 10th - August 14th, 2024.
Course summary
Week 1 – Storygraphic
Participants create a research infographic with an embedded story. The Storygraphic can be used as a standalone poster, or as a central panel of a data driven poster.
Week 2 –Storygraphic Feedback and Short talk
Part 1: Participants present their finished Storygraphic and receive group feedback using rubric.
Part 2: Participants create a short talk from their Storygraphic for a general audience. Practice and critique short talks using rubric in small groups.
Week 3 – Short talk Feedback
Part 1: Participants present their short talk and receive group feedback using rubric*.
Part 2: Participants learn to expand their short talk into a 10-min talk by including more detailed research data.
Week 5 - 10-min talk Feedback
Participants give their 10-min talks and receive group feedback.
Week 6 - 10-min talk Feedback
Participants give their 10-min talks and receive group feedback.
*There may be 2 feedback sessions in week 3.
Price of the course is $800/participant. Class is limited to 12 participants.
If you are interested in taking this course please submit the following information to reserve your spot now: