News Article

Clear communication can improve understanding, empathy, and respect for the work that scientists do. The public wants to understand, support, and value advancements in science BUT for this to happen, scientists must first engage the public in their work rather than wait for the public to come to them. This workshop will help individuals to reimagine science communication as a proactive rather than reactive effort. Participants will learn to assess their current science communication efforts, build a strategy to reach more people, adapt content using social media and other communication channels, and expand their impact by building an outreach network connected to other programs.

The Why Science Communication Matters workshop was developed as collaboration between iUTAH EPSCoR, the University of Utah’s Office of the Vice President for Research, Utah State University’s Office of Research and Graduate Studies, and USU’s Ecology Center to address this topic. Workshops in both Logan and Salt Lake City will be free and open to education practitioners from across the state.
 

Researchers, faculty, graduate students, and other practitioners are invited to attend this free workshop that will focus on learning science communication strategies that individuals can apply to meet their professional goals. iUTAH team members Andreas Leidolf, Jeannine Huenemann, and Ellen Eiriksson will present their own experiences and connections forged while working on a $24MM National Science Foundation water research, education, and outreach project in the state, as well as examples of successful, proactive science communication by researchers from across the state.

You should plan to attend if you are looking to build a strategy to communicate your science to non-scientific audiences, create a stronger broader impact approach for grant applications, or connect with outreach groups in your state. 

Participants are encouraged to ask questions while learning how to design and implement effective messages to engage with diverse audiences in dynamic and compelling ways. You will leave with ideas and resources on how to approach science communications in a way that best supports your professional goals and objectives. Both workshops, listed below, will cover the same material. 

Utah State University campus:

When: Tuesday, February 27, 1 – 4 p.m.

Where: Conference Rm/1st Floor (158/158A), USTAR Bioinnovations Building (IC650), 650 E 1600 N, Logan, UT

University of Utah campus:

When: Thursday, March 1, 1 – 4 p.m.

Where:  Eccles Boardroom (Rm. 1850), Warnock Engineering Building (WEB), 72 South Central Campus Dr. Salt Lake City, UT

Cost: Workshop is offered free of charge. Preregistration is encouraged, as space is limited. Walk-up registration on the day of the workshop is also an option, but we cannot guarantee available space.