October 2024 Working Session: Advanced Science Communication Skills for Sustainability Experts

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM (EDT)

Join Us Virtually

12 Seats Remaining

Category: Working Session

About the event

In a world where sustainability is more important than ever, the ability to effectively communicate complex scientific concepts is vital. Designed for sustainability professionals across all sectors, this working session will help you enhance your science communication skills.

Your presenter, Dr. Melissa Booth, uniquely combines insights from social science research on audience engagement with practical techniques from the narrative and performing arts. Join us to study science communication that holds attention, assists recall, and includes everyone.

Objectives

Connecting: Learn how to develop an understanding of your audience. We delve into the latest social science research on science communication to understand the dynamics of audience engagement with information, and how you can tailor your messages for maximum impact. Learn techniques to foster inclusion so that your story can connect with everyone.
Resonating: Learn how to transform complex scientific data into compelling stories that resonate with your audience by using a variety of practical techniques from the narrative arts. Learn responsible use of narrative, and how to avoid hype.
Illuminating: Learn how to deal with the challenges of communicating the inherent complexity and uncertainty of all scientific information. Learn to shine a light on science by using techniques that strike a balance between oversimplification and information overload.
Enduring: Learn tips and techniques that help audiences recall information and integrate it into their daily decisions. Whether you’re writing an article, explaining a concept to a friend or speaking at a virtual or in-person public event, learn how to use description, your voice, body language, and presence to captivate your audience and leave an enduring impression.

Meet your presenter

Driven by a deep belief in the power of scientific understanding, Dr. Melissa Booth advocates that informed choices pave our way to a sustainable future. In 2016, she founded The Science Communicator, LLC., which offers unique and innovative training workshops for science-allied professionals. Her workshops have empowered numerous professionals to communicate complex scientific ideas in a more impactful way, fostering a better-informed public and a stronger foundation for sustainable decision-making.

Dr. Booth is also currently working on a course for The Great Courses called The Hidden Powers of Microbes that will be released to streaming in late 2024. She received her PhD. in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, M.S. in Cellular, Molecular and Microbiology, and B.S. in Biomedicine from Oklahoma State University. She served as post-doctoral researcher at the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography in Savannah, Georgia, and the University of California Santa Cruz, and held faculty positions at Savannah State University, Roanoke College in Virginia, and the University of Georgia.

As she continues to lead and inspire in this field, Dr. Booth remains committed to the belief that effective communication is key to advancing scientific understanding and catalyzing positive environmental change.

This event addresses the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

Continuing education requirements:

ISSP credential holders will earn 0.5 CEUs for attending this working session.

Recording:

The is an interactive working session and will not be recorded.