how to explain your
description
Transcript of how to explain your
how to explain yourto non-scientists
Why bother?funding sources
responsibility to stakeholders
involving “consumers”
career opportunitiescorrect misconceptions
outreachdeclining science literacy
…and it pays! (Bonus resources)• Soc
iety for Applied Microbiology Communications Award
• EuroStemCell Communications Award• CIHR's Health Research Communication Aw
ard
• Grand Challenges • PhD Comics' 2 Minute Thesis contest
Who are these non-scientists?funderspotential collaborators
future in-lawsmedia
random people you meet at a partyadvocacy groups
policymakersadministrators
How not to do it:
Here is a more effective way.["rock star physicist" Brian Cox's brilliant explanation of the Higgs Boson]
Ways to get your idea acrossmetaphor / simileinfographicelevator pitch
get creative: dance, rap, mime
Metaphor / simileThe spinal cord is like a telephone cable; when it’s cut, the signals can no longer get through. I’m researching tiny particles that can act like repairmen to make new connections.
Infographics (& other artwork)
Infographic: bonus resourceGreat data visualization tutorials & examples: FlowingData.com
Elevator pitchImagine that you’re taking an elevator up 12 floors with the director of a major funding agency . . .[video of an award-winning pitch]
Elevator pitch: bonus resourceGreat article in Nature Jobs on scientific elevator pitches
Getting creative
Getting creative: bonus resourcesDance your PhD The TEDx Dance Your PhD talkThe european stem cell collaboration, eurostemcell, is holding a poetry and rap competition
Tips:Tell your science like a (very short) story
Be persuasive
Choose the audience’s medium
Remember the “inciting incident”
Be nerdy
Now it’s your turn
Show your work:• 2 minute video or song• a series of 140 word tweets• One drawing/image/infographic/cartoon• Submissions earn $5 gift card, entered
to win a $50 iTunes or Amazon gift card
More Resources• SciFund Challenge Outreach Classes • The Anti-vaccine disease: rant or reason • Advocating for your research: (This is a
video of Brian Cox that lays out the case for ongoing funding for discovery: an example of how communication to non-scientists is important
• Don’t hesitate to contact Jocelyn or Cheryl any time for help: it’s the part of our jobs we like the best!)
thank you