Have you ever tried to talk about your work to family or friends – only to get yawns? These are the same people taking time to watch one or more of the two million cat videos on the internet, right? It’s truly aggravating isn’t it? Comparing the attention span for silly entertainment and that ofContinue reading “What can scientists learn about communications from the success of cat videos?”
Tag Archives: communications
More things to know about your audience!
In my last blog, I explained several factors that get in the way of your audience receiving the message you send. Not all is lost! You control the message. You can learn how hurtful jargon is to your message. And then by and working to create relatable talks, blogs and social media posts, you willContinue reading “More things to know about your audience!”
Why is science communication so hard?
Nowhere in my scientific training did anyone explain to me that communications went further than publishing a paper or presenting to my peers. Every Monday night, graduate students participated in a seminar of quickly synopsizing papers we’d read over the weekend. Ok, we really read them Sunday night – or even the wee hours ofContinue reading “Why is science communication so hard?”
The importance of planning communications
Have you ever rushed while packing for a trip, only to get to your destination without a toothbrush, extra socks – or goodness forbid a crucial power cord? I myself keep a running list in my suitcase for packing. When communicating to the public, it’s important to take the time to plan and write anContinue reading “The importance of planning communications”
Communicating so people understand
In this blog, Is Science A Second Language? I quoted Gwen Pearson, an entomologist. Pearson acknowledges that it’s the scientists’ job to translate scientific messages into compelling, relatable material. I, of course, agree, which is why I started this blog, to give scientists the tools to do so. One of the first methods we useContinue reading “Communicating so people understand”
Science: does it become a second language?
Imagine you’ve just won a wonderful two-week trip to a foreign land. You don’t speak the language. You’ll download a translation app, right? Perhaps book a tour with a guide who speaks your native language? When it comes to science communications, we, the scientific ambassadors, are the equivalent of those translation apps or tour guides.Continue reading “Science: does it become a second language?”
Relatable Science 