Communication Tools, Training and more
Many online resources can help scientists and scholars better connect with the press, public, policymakers, and each other. Below you can explore a host of handy links, all free unless otherwise noted. (Warning: Some of the links are parodies, showing what you should NOT do!)
- Handbooks on dealing with press; giving effective talks; and shooting photos/video
- articles with insights on the relationships of science, public and mass media
- Blogs chronicling science communication and journalism
- Fellowships for scientists wishing to learn communication skills
Several times a week, we hold webcasts on communication innovation, policy challenges and choices and the intersection of arts and sciences. Explore and share here: http://j.mp/sustainwhatlive
Being visual, audible, accessible.
Here are staff picks and tips on social media, public speaking, graphics and more.
Guide to Effective Communication
Online Tutorials
Media Training A to Z, TJ Walker
A Research Communications Toolbox, Boise State University
Sharing Science With the Media and Public, American Geophysical Union
Giving a Science Presentation to Non-Science Audiences, American Geophysical Union
Communicating Science: Tools for Scientists and Engineers, American Association for Advancement of Science
Social Media Workshop for Scientists: Extending Your Digital Footprint - Sree Sreenivasan, via Alan Alda Center Center for Communicating Science.
Slides: bit.ly/sreescience
How to Write and Submit Opinion Pieces, The Op Ed Project
Writing and Submitting an Opinion Piece: A Quick Guide, The Earth Institute
Climate Change Communication: A Guide for Scientists and Educators, Center for Research on Environmental Decisions
The Science Editing Handbook, Knight Science Journalism Fellowship
Videos
A Scientist Orders Breakfast, With NPR correspondent Joe Palca
Life After Death by Powerpoint, Don McMillan
Undergrads Unwittingly Subjected to World’s Worst Research Talk, Dr. Fisher-Katz
Master Storytellers, TED Talks
Randy Olson, Storytelling TEDmed
Books
A Scientist's Guide to Talking With the Media, Union of Concerned Scientists
If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face? Alan Alda
Don’t be Such a Scientist Randy Olson
Am I Making Myself Clear?, Cornelia Dean, The New York Times (paperback $14.36)
Explaining Research, Oxford University Press
Working With Public Information Officers, Dennis Meredith
Articles
Inside Eurekalert, the Hub That Shapes Science News, Wired, May 6, 2016
Alan Alda on Science So Everyone Can Get It, New York Times, Feb. 25, 2014
Science Communication Requires Time, Trust and Twitter, Science, Dec. 20, 2013
The Science and Art of Science Writing , New York Times, Dec. 10, 2013
Stop Complaining About Your PR Firm: Here’s How the Media Works , medium.com, Nov. 19, 2013
Public Science 2.0, Science, Oct. 4, 2013
Capably Communicating Science, Science, Aug. 17, 2012
When Scientists Take Journalists Into the Field, Nature, Jan. 18, 2012
Communicating the Science of Climate Change, Physics Today, October 2011
Why Scientists and Journalists Don’t Play Well Together, Forbes, Aug. 8, 2011
When Science and the Media Mix, Science, April 1, 2011
This Is a News Website Article About a Scientific Paper, The Guardian, Sept. 27, 2010
Scientists Who Want to Educate the Public Should Start by Listening, Washington Post, June 27, 2010
Scientist Citizens, Science, March 13, 2009
Experts Tussle Over Details. Public Gets Whiplash. Andrew Revkin, New York Times, July 29, 2008
Why Scientists Should Embrace TV News Nature, Jan. 27, 2005