Communicating Science with Impact

Effective scientific communication is challenging at any level, whether it’s between colleagues, with stakeholders who might benefit from your research or to public audiences. The challenge is to clearly communicate with impact why you do what you do and why it’s important, without the crutches of confusing jargon and technical detail that quickly lose your audience.

We’ll work on drawing from your personal experiences and expertise, focusing on clear thinking, brevity, simplicity and clear messaging. You’ll create short talks/written pieces based on the messages you want to communicate, learning to engage your audiences through story and personal anecdote without losing content. The sessions will be highly participatory, using feedback and revision to develop more powerful messages and increased capacity to speak and write with power. The outcome: your science communication will become more compelling and effective.

About the Instructor

Dr. Mark L. Winston, FRSC, Academic Director of SFU’s Centre for Dialogue and Professor of Biological Sciences

Mark Winston has had a distinguished career researching, teaching, writing and commenting on bees and agriculture, environmental issues, and science policy. More recently, he has utilized dialogue in classrooms, corporations, non-profit organizations, government and community settings to develop leadership and communication skills, conduct strategic planning, inspire organizational change, and thoughtfully engage public audiences with controversial issues. Winston’s work has appeared in numerous books, commentary columns for the Vancouver Sun, The New York Times, The Sciences, Orion magazine, and frequently on CBC radio and television and National Public Radio. His research, communication, and dialogue achievements have been recognized by many awards, including the Manning Award for Innovation, Sterling Prize in Support of Controversy, British Columbia Gold Medal in Science and Engineering, Academic of the Year, Eve Savory Award for Science Communication, Michael Smith Award for Science Promotion, a prestigious Killam Fellowship from the Canada Council, and election as a Fellow in the Royal Society of Canada. He currently is Academic Director of Simon Fraser University’s Centre for Dialogue, and a Professor of Biological Sciences.

Mark L. Winston is that rare individual, a scientist who can speak eloquently to the public.  Recognized as the world’s leading expert on bees and pollination, Dr. Winston has had a distinguished career researching, teaching, writing and commenting on bees and agriculture, environmental issues and science policy. He currently directs Simon Fraser University’s Centre for Dialogue, teaches in the Banff Centre’s Science Communication program, and consults widely on utilizing dialogue to develop leadership and communication skills, focus on strategic planning, inspire organizational change, and thoughtfully engage public audiences with controversial issues.

What Participants Said

“Mark implemented hands-on activities and gracious feedback to maximize the three hours and really influence our future writing.”

“Mark’s demeanor was very smooth and helpful. But actually WRITING something and getting feedback on it is more beneficial than any CONTENT workshop.”

“Really, really helpful for a young researcher, such as myself, to get this lesson now.”

Registration

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Additional Information

For more information, please contact us.

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